Iconic Williamsburg: The 100-Year-Old Water Aqueduct

YS GOLD 

The breathtaking and historic photos that we present here today were taken one hundred years ago, in the summer of 1925. They depict streets such as Hooper and Broadway and Hewes with deep trenches being dug on the sidewalks and streets. 

Residents can be seen looking on with interest at the progress being made, and hardworking shopkeepers are seen taking a break from their hard labor to peek at the ongoing work. 

What was this elaborate project that tore through Williamsburg one century ago? 

The massive pipes in the center of the mayhem gives us one hint. It was the pipe system that was being laid through Brooklyn. It was called the Williamsburg Conduit, and it transported the water that was brought from the Catskill Mountains to Yonkers via the Catskill Aqueduct into Brooklyn. 

The photographs depict various scenes from the work which was done the hard way back in those days. Hydraulic pullies are used along with heavy rope. But in some cases, cranes were brought in to excavate heavy rock. 

As Williamsburg residents of today enjoy fresh and clean tap water, it is thanks to the difficult - and often dangerous-work of those city workers and contractors one century ago.