Golden Gate Bridge celebrates 88 years
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First day of auto traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge on May 28, 1937. Photo: Photographer Unknown/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
May marks 88 years since the Golden Gate Bridge first opened to the public.
Why it matters: The bridge is considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century and became a symbol of San Francisco that continues to attract millions of visitors each year.
- As an iconic landmark, it's served as a symbol of the city in TV shows like "Full House" and classic movies like Alfred Hitchcock's thriller "Vertigo."
Flashback: The bridge officially opened to pedestrians on May 27, 1937 before opening to cars the following day.
State of play: It was crucial in helping grow Marin County by providing a faster and more efficient transportation route across the bay. Prior to construction, ferry travel was the only option, which was often time-consuming and offered limited access.
Catch up quick: James H. Wilkins, a former structural engineer turned journalist, planted the idea for the bridge in 1916. He proposed designing a massive suspension bridge with a span of about 3,000 feet — which was unprecedented at the time, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
- Joseph B. Strauss, who became the chief engineer of the project, created the first renderings for the bridge in 1920.
- Construction began more than a decade later in 1933, according to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District.
Between the lines: Immigrant workers, many of Chinese descent, braved dangerous conditions and were instrumental in helping complete the bridge — though their names were initially left out of carved plaques honoring those who contributed.
The intrigue: The bridge runs for 1.7 miles and spans 4,200 feet, which made it the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time construction was completed in 1937.
- Its distinct "International Orange" color was chosen to provide clear visibility amid San Francisco's dense fog and to better blend with the natural landscape.
By the numbers: Today, the 746-foot-tall structure receives about 10 million people annually. Since it first opened, more than two billion people have crossed the bridge.