Those of us who lived in Brooklyn at the time remember exactly where we were — and what we did — when we found out a plane had crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
For Brooklyn Paper photographer Tom Callan, the news meant heading from his Clinton Street apartment in Brooklyn Heights to the Promenade, camera in tow, to see what was going on — and to document it.
The slideshow above — shot at time before digital cameras when newspaper photographers had to carefully choose their shots lest they run out of film — is an eerie remembrance of that day 15 years ago.
The back cover of every edition of The Brooklyn Paper was adorned with an American flag in the week following Sept. 11.
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Callan moved from the Promenade, to Old Fulton Street, to the Brooklyn Bridge, and finally to Court Street, recording everything he could.
The photos later appeared in The Brooklyn Paper, and are presented here in full frame, without editing, and in chronological order.
Self portrait by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Famed Brooklyn Paper photographer Tom Callan took this nighttime shot of the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center from atop the Candy Factory condos in Brooklyn Heights shortly before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Photo by Tom Callan
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Callan headed out to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade when he heard the news that a plane had crashed into one of the Twin Towers. He immediately started taking photos with his 35mm camera and a small supply of film. Here, smoke from the north tower engulfs the south tower shortly before the second plane struck.
Photo by Tom Callan
Callan zoomed in on the fire in the north tower and snapped this photo just as the second plane crashed into the south tower. This powerful image of the impact and subsequent explosion apperaed on the cover of The Brooklyn Paper.
Photo by Tom Callan
A split second later, Callan snapped again as both towers disappeared into a plume of smoke and flame.
Photo by Tom Callan
Callan pulled back for this shot a few moments later, when the fire in the south tower began to rage.
Photo by Tom Callan
The photographer next headed down to Old Fulton Street where he heard a rumble, and took this photo of the collapse of the south tower.
Photo by Tom Callan
The debris cloud engulfs the north tower, which remained standing after the collapse of the south tower.
Photo by Tom Callan
Callan next captures the collapse of the north tower.
Photo by Tom Callan
The longtime Clinton Street resident next moved to the Brooklyn Bridge, where he captured the exodus from Manhattan on film after both towers fell.
Photo by Tom Callan
At first, not many people were on the bridge.
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
But soon, thousands made their way to Brooklyn.
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Next, Callan headed Downtown, where he took these photos from the top of the skyscraper at 16 Court St. At the time, the Brooklyn Paper’s office was located next door, at 26 Court St.
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Photo by Tom Callan
Two years later, Callan took this photo of the Towers of Light from atop One Main Street in Dumbo.
