Hump Day History

 


The Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public on this day, 1937.

It was Pedestrian Day, an opportunity for everyone to enjoy before the cars took over the next day.

For the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 4,200 feet across the bay.

Construction began in 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression.  Multiple counties in the area took out a large bond for funding, which would be paid back through bridge tolls.  Members of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District even put their homes up as collateral.

The bond was repaid by July 1971.

The project was led by engineer, Joseph Strauss, and consulting engineer, Leon Moiseff, along with the architect, Irving Morrow.  It was Morrow who selected the color, "International Orange."

Upon completion, it was seen as a symbol of progress during a time of economic crisis.

And today, it is one of the one the most recognizable architectural structures in the world.



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