On May 27, 1937 the Golden Gate Bridge was opened, and on that first day pedestrians were the only ones allowed. An estimated 200,000 came out, including a newlywed San Francisco couple who happened to be the parents of one of our Editors.
It cost a nickel to cross the Bridge that first day, but early on there were so many people that the coin machines jammed.
A few months before, at the opening of the Bay Bridge, thousands of people had spontaneously walked across the Bridge when it opened, snarling traffic. The Golden Gate Bridge officials turned the event into a big festival, wonderfully described in this article from the 50th anniversary.
Bridge walkers were offered an array of souvenirs for the occasion, including an official hat with Mariachi-style tassels, some of which people appear to be wearing in the photo below. Although the Depression was easing a little by 1937, the Bridge was a bright addition to what for many people was a very dark time.
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I have a wonderful picture of my 11 (?) year old father, Rollo Wheeler and his friend Wesley Howell , both of San Francisco crossing the bridge that momentous day in cowboy outfits. Is there a place to archive such photos?
Posted by: Carolyn Wheeler | 05/28/2010 at 07:28 PM
Carolyn, I'd start with the Sausalito Historical Society (we have a link to them on our Sausalito Historical Society page, which you'll find in the Table of Contents in the right hand column). They do a great job of preserving and organizing local historical material. Thanks for asking!
Posted by: Editors | 05/29/2010 at 09:26 AM