The Nation: Bridging the Generations

The Golden Gate Bridge was opened in 1937 after years of haggling with San Francisco Bay ferryboat owners and skeptics who said that it could not be done. At first, traffic was so light that some toll collectors on the graveyard shift set garbage-can lids in the approach lanes to warn themselves of oncoming vehicles. But business soon picked up, and now runs to 33 million vehicles a year. The bridge has attracted more than cars. It gained an unfortunate reputation as one of America's most melodramatic suicide sites. Last week a 65-year-old woman became the 419th victim to take the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!