The Brooklyn Bridge The history of Brooklyn is similar to the story of Manhattan. Farmers first moved to the Brooklyn area in 1636. Like Manhattan, Brooklyn grew and grew. By 1860, 266,000people lived there. In the next 10 years, 130,000more people arrived. At that time, the only way between the two cities of Brooklyn and Manhattan was by boat. But in 1866, the New York government decided to build a bridge over the East River. John A. Roebling's plan was the best. He wanted to build a bridge that was "a work of art.