This elaborate color lithograph of the bridge is titled "The Great East River Bridge." When the bridge first opened, it was known as that, and also simply as "The Great Bridge."
Eventually the name Brooklyn Bridge stuck.
Lithograph of the Great East River Bridge
By Robert McNamara, About.com Guide
The newly opened Brooklyn Bridge was a marvel of its time, and illustrations of it were popular with the public.
The Great East River Bridge
Library of CongressSuggested Reading
The Building of the Brooklyn BridgeThe Menai Suspension Bridge
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.