Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic symbols of San Francisco, and one of the most recognizable symbols of California. The strait between San Francisco Peninsula and Marin Headlands, California, is known as the Golden Gate, which was the source of the Bridge’s name – not the other way around.

The bridge was opened in 1937, after four years of construction. Although it didn’t change in shape or color, the bridge went through a massive transformation between 1965-1995. The lead-based paint coat of the bridge turned out to be harmful to the environment (and people), and in 1995, after 30 years of intense cleaning effort, it was finally removed completely, and replaced with zinc-based paint.