Bridges & Engineering

22 Brooklyn Bridge Trivia Questions: Construction, Roebling Family & Cultural Appearances

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City’s most iconic structural masterpieces, spanning the East River to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn. Built in the late 19th century, this historic crossing has survived decades of heavy traffic, political drama, and strange rumors.

This trivia game covers its complex design, the tragic events during construction, and the pioneering engineers who built it. Think you know the secrets behind its massive stone towers and the steel cables that hold it up?

Once you finish, check out our trivia on bridges and engineering, read about influential architects, or explore other famous landmarks.

Which borough is connected to Brooklyn by the Brooklyn Bridge?

Manhattan

Manhattan

The Bronx

The Bronx

Queens

Queens

Staten Island

Staten Island

What is the primary structural design of the Brooklyn Bridge?

Arch

Arch

Suspension

Suspension

Beam

Beam

Truss

Truss

Who was the original engineer who designed the Brooklyn Bridge?

William M. Tweed

William M. Tweed

Emily Warren Roebling

Emily Warren Roebling

John A. Roebling

John A. Roebling

Washington Roebling

Washington Roebling

Which stone was used for the exterior of the Brooklyn Bridge towers above the waterline?

Sandstone

Sandstone

Marble

Marble

Limestone

Limestone

Granite

Granite

In what year was the Brooklyn Bridge officially opened to the public?

1885

1885

1879

1879

1881

1881

1883

1883

Why did Emily Warren Roebling take over day-to-day supervision of the Brooklyn Bridge project from her husband, Washington?

He was injured in an explosion.

He was injured in an explosion.

He decided to retire early.

He decided to retire early.

He fell from the top of the tower.

He fell from the top of the tower.

He contracted caisson disease (the bends).

He contracted caisson disease (the bends).

What mysterious illness plagued many workers building the foundations of the bridge?

Pneumonia

Pneumonia

Tetanus

Tetanus

Yellow fever

Yellow fever

Caisson disease

Caisson disease

What were the cavernous vaults built into the bridge’s anchorages originally used as to help fund construction?

A ferry boat terminal

A ferry boat terminal

A high-security bank vault

A high-security bank vault

A wine cellar

A wine cellar

A luxury apartment building

A luxury apartment building

Who became the first person to cross the completed bridge in a carriage, carrying a rooster as a symbol of victory?

John A. Roebling

John A. Roebling

Ferdinand Roebling

Ferdinand Roebling

Emily Warren Roebling

Emily Warren Roebling

Washington Roebling

Washington Roebling

In which year was the Brooklyn Bridge designated a National Historic Landmark?

1972

1972

1964

1964

1960

1960

1968

1968

What architectural style is displayed by the pointed arches of the bridge’s stone towers?

Beaux-Arts

Beaux-Arts

Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival

Art Deco

Art Deco

Neoclassical

Neoclassical

What record did the Brooklyn Bridge hold upon its opening?

It was the first bridge to use carbon-fiber cables.

It was the first bridge to use carbon-fiber cables.

It was the first structure built using pneumatic caissons.

It was the first structure built using pneumatic caissons.

It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its completion.

It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its completion.

It was the first bridge to have a pedestrian walkway.

It was the first bridge to have a pedestrian walkway.

In which 1998 monster film does the Brooklyn Bridge serve as the setting for the final showdown?

King Kong

King Kong

The Godfather

The Godfather

Annie Hall

Annie Hall

Godzilla

Godzilla

How did Emily Warren Roebling contribute significantly to the bridge’s construction?

She took over because of Washington Roebling’s illness.

She took over because of Washington Roebling’s illness.

She was the only person who knew the architectural blueprints.

She was the only person who knew the architectural blueprints.

Her husband’s eyesight began to fail.

Her husband’s eyesight began to fail.

She wanted to prove women could lead civil works.

She wanted to prove women could lead civil works.

What material was used for the main suspension cables of the bridge?

Galvanized steel

Galvanized steel

Aluminum

Aluminum

Bronze

Bronze

Cast iron

Cast iron

What caused a deadly stampede on the bridge to occur only a week after its grand opening?

A fire caused by street performers.

A fire caused by street performers.

A massive power outage in the city.

A massive power outage in the city.

A ship colliding with the tower.

A ship colliding with the tower.

Rumors that the structure was unstable.

Rumors that the structure was unstable.

How many years did the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge take to complete?

12 years

12 years

16 years

16 years

14 years

14 years

18 years

18 years

What sensational nickname was given to the Brooklyn Bridge by the press upon its opening?

The Granite Path

The Granite Path

The Eighth Wonder of the World

The Eighth Wonder of the World

The Iron Link

The Iron Link

The Gateway of the Atlantic

The Gateway of the Atlantic

How did the original designer, John A. Roebling, die during the planning phase?

He contracted tetanus after his foot was crushed by a ferry.

He contracted tetanus after his foot was crushed by a ferry.

He fell from a temporary scaffold.

He fell from a temporary scaffold.

He drowned while surveying the river.

He drowned while surveying the river.

He was struck by a falling beam.

He was struck by a falling beam.

The Brooklyn Bridge spans which body of water?

The Hudson River

The Hudson River

The Kill Van Kull

The Kill Van Kull

The Harlem River

The Harlem River

The East River

The East River

What is the total length of the Brooklyn Bridge?

6,489 feet

6,489 feet

4,989 feet

4,989 feet

5,489 feet

5,489 feet

5,989 feet

5,989 feet

In what year was the New York and Brooklyn Bridge officially renamed?

1905

1905

1925

1925

1915

1915

1935

1935

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If you enjoyed this quiz, try our trivia on famous buildings. We also have quizzes about historic places and pop culture trivia on filming locations.

My passion for travel seamlessly integrates with my love for trivia, as I spend a lot of time on the road. I create engaging trivia quizzes based on the information I gather about new locations, food, music, customs, and people.

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