On 5/16/05 (2:59:27 PM MDT), as part of an extensive posting to NYC-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com, Russell (russell@csranet.com) asked, "When was the 59th St. bridge opened, Walter?" <> Construction commenced - July 19, 1901 <> Open to traffic - March 30, 1909 <> Total length of bridge and approaches - 7449 feet The Queensboro Bridge, also known as the 59th Street Bridge, was immortalized by the Simon and Garfunkel hit "Feeling Groovy (the 59th Street Bridge Song)". It connects Queens to Midtown Manhattan. Toll = free. Originally christened Blackwell’s Island Bridge, and intended to link Manhattan’s Harlem Line with the Long Island Railroad, the colossal, two-decked Queensboro Bridge is one of the greatest cantilever bridges in the history of American bridge design. A collaboration between the famed bridge engineer Gustav Lindenthal (1850-1935) and architect Henry Hornbostel, the Queensboro’s massive, silver-painted trusses span the East River between 59th Street in Manhattan and Long Island City in Queens and offer spectacular views of midtown Manhattan, highlighted by the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the United Nations. The Queensboro’s completion preceded that of the Manhattan Bridge by nine months. (By the way, while Mineola was in Queens in 1892, it "left" Queens in 1899, when the eastern three-quarters of Queens seceded and became Nassau County. And, no it's not the County Seat of Nassau County: the County Seat is in the Village of Garden City in the Town of Hempstead, but in that part of the Village of Garden City that is in the service area of the Mineola, NY P.O.) I hope this information is useful or, at least, interesting. Regards, Walter Greenspan