Natalie

The Golden Gate Bridge Many of you may know about the golden gate bridge, but did you know that its not really golden? Yes, the golden gate bridge is actually orange vermillion. Orange was chosen for the bridge because it blends well with the its surroundings. Then why did they name it the //Golden Gate// bridge, why not the orange vermillion bridge? The golden gate strait is the entrance to San Francisco from the Pacific Ocean. It was generally accepted that the strait was named "Chrysopylae"meaning golden gate, by John C. Freemont ,captain, topographical Engineers of the U.S. army, in 1846. It reminded him of a harbor instable (meaning not stable) named Chrysopylae or Golden gate. Fort Point is an island that lies underneath the golden gate bridge. Fort island was saved by Joesph Staruss (pronounced Strouse) who dicided to build over and around it. He built an arch over the island and now the island is visited annually.

The construction of the bridge started in 1933. The full length of the bridge is 1.7 miles long. The golden gate bridge is loved for its magnitude and beauty. The golden gate bridge is an important transportation route to San Fransisco and New York. It was known as the bridge that couldn't be built. Thanks to the engineering of Joesph Strauss the bridge was finished on May 26, 1937. The bridge was built with a total cost of 35 million dollars. On opening day 200,000 people made the crossing by foot. It would cost 1.2 billion dollars to rebuild the bridge today. The Golden Gate Bridge brings 40 million people to San Francisco every year. It stands 220 ft. over the San Francisco bay. 11 men lost their lives in the making of this bridge.It was a saftey record for the time. During the construction of the roadway a saftey net saved lives tools and time. The nets were like trapeze nets they had six-inch squares of 3/8 inch manila hemp and extended the work area. But, do you think this bridge is all that perfect? 1300 people have jumped off of this bridge in attempt of suicide, and 98% of them perished.Joesph Stauss (pernounced strouse) believed sucied from the bridge was "neither possible nor probible." Unfortainaly the first victum jumped August 1937.

The Golden Gate bridge is important because it has established the boundary to riches for people throughout history.