Construction Uncovers Gowanus History

If you've been down Third Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets recently, you've noticed that the bridge over what was once a branch of the Gowanus Canal is being rebuilt. Resident Steven Skollar, who has a very sharp eye--he also brought those unearthed trolley tracks at Union and Smith Streets to our attention--captured these images. They show the original stone bridge that ran over this part of the canal. He writes:

On Third Avenue just below Third Street a construction project has exposed the bridge's stone foundation. The stone, I suspect, is Manhattan schist. Note the relatively ornate cap stone. It looks looks as if at one time it was above grade.

The stone is very similar to the walls that surround Central Park and that can be found in places in Prospect Park. Very cool stuff.