Photography

THE SEATTLE TIMES ARCHIVE

A small portion of the huge crowd that surged on the George Washington Memorial Bridge, Feb. 22, 1932, after President Hoover pressed a golden telegraph key, unfurling Old Glory above the span and officially declaring the bridge open.

THE SEATTLE TIMES ARCHIVE

The Westlake Avenue view toward Fremont below the George Washington Memorial Bridge, commonly called the Aurora Bridge.

THE SEATTLE TIMES ARCHIVE

The bridge dedication was held on the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. More than 20,000 people attended the dedication.

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An aerial photograph of the cantilever and truss bridge spanning Lake Union. The view is looking northeastward, toward the University District.

THE SEATTLE TIMES ARCHIVE

A flag-decorated bandstand was set up at the south end of the bridge where the crowd listened to Gov. Roland H. Hartley, Mayor Robert H. Harlin and other dignitaries speak before President Hoover opened the span from Washington, D.C. In the background is Lake Station gas plant, now home to Gas Works Park.

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Fireboats in Lake Union shot streams of water high into the air.

THE SEATTLE TIMES ARCHIVE

After the official dedication ceremony, Seattleites of 1932 placed greetings to Seattle citizens of 2032 into a box and sealed it in the bridge.