Herbert Mitchell Collection
Herbert Mitchell Collection
Terrace Bridge, date unknown.
When Prospect Park architects Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted first conceived a plan for the area surrounding Terrace Bridge, they envisioned it with a restaurant and series of terraces and arcades for visitors to enjoy live music and entertainment on the lake. While their vision never fully transpired, Terrace Bridge today represents their intention for this region of the park.
Built between 1868-1870, the first Terrace Bridge was a wooden structure located along Wellhouse Drive between Lookout Hill and Breeze Hill. It rested on the border of the Ravine District and stood until 1890 when it was replaced by the current bridge.
Today, Terrace Bridge is one of the largest in Prospect Park. It is also the last park element built by Vaux. Comprised of six parallel steel arches, each side of Terrace Bridge includes a pedestrian underpass at water's edge. The circular stone carvings on the bridge read “18” and “90,” marking the date of the new bridge's completion.