Episode #69: The Roeblings: The Family Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge
As a special bonus episode to end the year, enjoy this show from the Bowery Boys archives that traces and explains the Roebling family who — father, son, wife — all contributed significantly to the building of the great 19th-century marvel, the Brooklyn Bridge. Greg and Tom share all the history and include a talk with Kriss Roebling, Washington and Emily Roebling’s great-great grandson who leads specialty tours of the Bridge today.
The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge was a technological wonder when it opened in 1883. But the story of its construction over the 14 years it took to build the bridge, included passion and ingenuity as well as tragedy. In the end, it was Emily Roebling, wife of Washington Roebling who, in the face of her husband’s debilitating illness dedicated herself to completing the project in the male-dominated world of engineers and contractors.
It was, in fact, a woman — Emily Roebling herself — who was the very first person to cross the bridge on its final opening day. The story of Emily was introduced as a plot line in Season Two of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and it has intrigued many viewers. In this special episode, Greg and Tom fill out the story of a fascinating family and a truly fascinating woman.
LISTEN NOW: The Roeblings: The Family Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge
Related Podcast:
The Sculptor and the Angel: The Untold Story of Emma Stebbins