Brooklyn Entrance to Manhattan Bridge to Reclaim Version Of Its Former Glory

The Brooklyn entrance to the Manhattan Bridge used to be quite classy, with two allegorical granite sculptures created by Daniel Chester French representing Brooklyn and Manhattan perched 24 feet above the roadway.

But in 1961, Robert Moses declared that they stood in the way of progress and ordered their demolition. (They were moved to the Brooklyn Museum.)

Now, according to the Brooklyn Eagle, Brooklyn artist Brian Tolle (known for the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City) is in the process of designing a contemporary version of these sculptures. The city’s Design Commission has approved their installation at Flatbush Avenue Extension and Tillary Street in Downtown Brooklyn.

Visit the Eagle website to see photos of the grand old statues being carted off to the museum, plus a description of the modern works being created.


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