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5. Golden Gate Bridge (1937) - San Francisco, CA; Irving F. Morrow and Gertrude C. Morrow

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photo: Carol M. Highsmith

 

The original plan for the Golden Gate Bride by engineer Joseph Baermann Strauss was widely regarded as unappealing.  The Art Deco style of the bridge as it is known and loved today is the contribution of consulting architects Irving F. Morrow and his wife, Gertrude C. Morrow. Among other things, the Morrows simplified the pedestrian railings, created lean and angled light posts, and added vertical ribbing to the horizontal tower bracing.

 

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Comments (9)

I actually think San Francisco has some of the best architectural structures in the world. You forgot Grace Cathedral. The original Cliff House was absolutely stunning.

DAWNM:

The Golden Gate bridge has always facinated me! Beauty and mystique! Makes San Francisco even more appealing besides its seaside charm and big buildings!

Anonymous:

Here's the question: If you live in NY or DC, do you really feel the impact of the first three "monuments" in this list. Personally, they don't stand up at all to the Golden Gate Bridge. The Empire State Building really is the second best building in NY (the Chrysler building is far more beautiful and iconic), where as the number two and three in this list are far from memorable. When you visited the White House, did you really think: "Wow! This is awe-inspiring!" Not really..... Driving/Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, I've definitely felt that rush.

Anonymous:

If I remember correctly, the Golden Gate Bridge was financed by the people of California agreeing to have a lean taken on their property. It was built during the Depression, paid high wages, and had an extraordinary safety record during construction.

Anonymous:

This is by far the most impressive on this list. Absolutely amazing! Did New Yorkers put this list together? Nothing in NYC is as beautiful as the Golden Gate Bridge.

bailey :

the golden gate is my #1

Anonymous:

um.... Were architects even included in this awful survey? How could ANYONE leave off anything Louis Kahn has built in the US. No Salk Institute or Kimball Art Museum? Arguably the most significant architectural works in the US. Further proves the diminishing role architecture takes in American society/culture. Very very sad.

anonymous:

I LIVE NEAR SAN FRANCISCO AND AFTER MANY TRIPS ACROSS THE GOLDEN GATE WE WALKED ACROSS IT FOR THE FIRST TIME NEW YEARS DAY. I WAS DISAPOINED OF THE SHAPE IT WAS IN. THEY KEEP RAISING THE COST OF CROSSING THE BRIDE AND USE THE MONEY FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE UP KEEP. IT LOOKED VERY AGED TO ME. BUT THAT IS THE WAY MOST OF CALIF. INTERSTRUTURE IS.

jorge :

Golden Gate Bride? Am I missing something here?

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on February 3, 2007 3:46 PM.

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