High Bridge Gate House and Water Tower

In celebration of the 177th anniversary of the High Bridge, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Urban Park Rangers are opening two key elements of the former Croton Water Works: the High Bridge Gate House and the Highbridge Water Tower.

This is a rare opportunity to peek inside the infrastructure that delivered our city’s first reliable supply of clean drinking water in 1842. Built to carry the Croton Aqueduct across the Harlem River, for over 40 years the High Bridge was the only way for this desperately needed water to reach NYC. From inside the Gate House, located at the Manhattan end of High Bridge, see where water flowed on its journey to the city. DEP Archivist Samar Quandil will provide a brief history of the Croton Water Works.

Up the hill from the Gate House is Highbridge Water Tower. Once a water pressure equalizing structure, the romantic Neo-Gothic tower overlooks the Harlem River. Climb its winding iron staircase for panoramic views of Manhattan and the Bronx from the top of the 200-foot tower. Urban Park Rangers will discuss the tower’s important function in the city’s water supply and the 10-year restoration project, completed in 2021, that kept the tower accessible for tours.

ACCESS INFORMATION

Access inside the Gate House and Water Tower is first-come, first-serve. Lines are expected. Last entry to each site at 12:45pm.

RSVP is requested to help us plan, but is not required for entry.