Historic Broadway Aqueduct Shaft, 1910-1915

This photograph depicts an aqueduct shaft located on Broadway, captured between 1910 and 1915 by the Bain News Service. The image serves as a snapshot of urban engineering in the early 20th century, a time when cities were rapidly transforming with new infrastructure. Aqueducts were essential to urban life, providing a reliable means of transporting water to densely populated areas. This particular shaft exemplifies the architectural elements and engineering techniques employed during that era, highlighting how cities met the demands of their growing populations.

The use of glass negatives, the standard photography medium of the time, adds a layer of authenticity to the image. These negatives produced sharp, detailed photographs, allowing for intricate designs and structures like aqueducts to be documented precisely. This photograph is not just an artistic representation; it also serves as a valuable historical record, illustrating the technological advancements and public works projects that defined urban landscapes in the United States during the early 1900s. Such photographs offer critical insight for researchers and enthusiasts alike, shedding light on the intersection of historical development, engineering, and photography.