Huddlestone Arch: Defying Gravity for 150 Years
Huddlestone Arch is supported by gravity alone…simply amazing!
I began this post thinking I’d say something about Huddlestone Arch and leave it at that.
Built from uncut boulders—one of which is said to weigh 100 tons—it is supported not by mortar, concrete, or metal but by gravity and friction alone.
However, when I looked at the other bridges (33 in all) that Calvert Vaux designed so that Olmsted’s vision of 3 separate ways (one for pedestrians, one for horses, and one for carriages) could function, I realized what a symphony of designs he created.
The Iron Bridge near the reservoir–like listening to a beautiful piece of music.
I have included pictures of just three of his bridges (Huddlestone Arch, The Iron Bridge, and Bow Bridge) to show you the variety and the creativity that he put into each one. The only word I can think of to adequately describe them is ‘music’.
I imagine Vaux himself must have had music running through his head when he put pen to paper to create them.
And the most symphonic of them all! Bow Bridge, likened to the bow of a violin.
I’ll have to think of a way to include more of them in my young adult adventure series, Central Park Story, to do them the justice they deserve. For now, I am just happy to include them in my blog.
