Golden Gate Bridge Photo Album

The gateway to the San Francisco Bay was baptized Chrysopylae, or “Golden Gate” by explorer John Charles Fremont in 1846 because Fremont felt the wide entrance to the Bay would be advantageous for commerce. Before the advent of the Golden Gate Bridge, people relied on ferries to travel between San Francisco and Marin. As early as 1847 a ferry was established to bring spring water from Sausalito to San Francisco. By 1868 there was regular ferry service between the two counties as land speculators in Marin realized their property values would increase if transportation were readily available.

Marin County leaders, by in large, were strong and early supporters of the bridge. They knew that the spanning of the Golden Gate would spur development in their communities. It is said that a 1916 article by San Francisco reporter, James H. Wilkins, published in the Bulletin, was the first to propose a suspension bridge from San Francisco to Marin. Shortly after publication of this article, the Marin County Board of Supervisors went on record advocating looking into the feasibility of such a bridge. It took many years, however, for the dream to become a reality.

In 1919 the visionary engineer, Joseph B. Strauss, came to San Francisco to inspect the bridge site. He was convinced he could build a bridge spanning the Golden Gate. During the 1920s Strauss lobbied Marin and other North Bay County leaders to garner support for his plan. In 1923, under the leadership of Frank Pierce Doyle, the “Bridging the Golden Gate Association” was formed. That same year, the Coombs Bill, authorizing the organization of a special Golden Gate Bridge & Highway District, was signed into law. During the next decade, six counties (including Marin) gained enough support from their constituents to form the Bridge District.

In 1930 Strauss submitted his final design plan to the Golden Gate Bridge directors. One element of the plan which was never implemented were glass elevators intended to carry sight-seers up the bridge’s two towers. In November 1930, a major hurdle was overcome; six Northern California counties, including Marin and San Francisco, voted in favor of a $35 million bond measure to finance the construction of the bridge. To celebrate this important victory, every store in Marin County closed at 3 p.m. on November 12, so that the entire community could attend a football game in San Rafael and watch an air circus. The evening culminated with a parade, illuminated floats & fireworks.

Golden Gate Bridge construction commenced on January 5, 1933 and lasted four and a half years. The resulting structure, renowned for the simplicity and elegance of its design, has become emblematic of the San Francisco Bay Area and has achieved fame worldwide. The Anne T. Kent California Room has nearly 100 period photographs documenting the bridge’s complex and often dangerous construction process. These photographs were commissioned by the Associated Oil Company and taken by photographer Charles M. Hiller between 1933 and 1936.

The California Room’s holdings also include photographs from the Kent Family collection depicting the driving of the last spike into the Golden Gate Bridge on April 27, 1937. This last symbolic rivet was cast in gold from the Southern Mines near Sonora and donated by Charles H. Segerstrom. Nancy and Marty Kent, the twin daughters of Anne Kent (after whom the California Room is named) and Thomas Kent, represented the Redwood Empire at this historic event.

A month later, on May 27, 1937, the bridge opened to pedestrians with much fanfare. Enthusiastic crowds picnicked on the middle of bridge and there was a great procession at mid-day with 20,000 marchers and floats representing every county in the bridge district. Nearly 200,000 people are said to have crossed the bridge during the course of the day. The first to cross from the Marin side was runner Robert Miller from Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley. The following day, during another grand celebration, the bridge opened to motor vehicles.

CONTACT: Laurie Thompson at ljthompson@co.marin.ca.us
COPYRIGHT 2003, Anne T. Kent California Room, Marin County Free Library