"The name Golden Gate was given in 1846 by Capt. John C. Fremont in analogy to the Golden Horn of the Bosporus (Turkey) when he visualized rich cargoes from the Orient flowing through the strait." -- Ency. Britannica. A tip o' the hat to Bruce Clayton for passing on this information.
Now all we have
to do is figure out why they paint the bridge RED. After all, the hills are golden...
I found you in the internet and noticed you asked the question, "Why is the Golden Gate Bridge painted red?" It seems that one Irving Morrow, the architect hired to provide architectural aid on the building of the bridge by Joseph Strauss, the engineer, was studying the bridge from a boat in the bay while it was under construction. He was determined to select a color other than the typical silver, grey or black given to most bridges. While viewing the bridge in the context of the surrounding blue of the bay and green/brown of the hillside, he realized the primer color being applied to protect the metal till the paint color could be picked contrasted beautifully with the surrounding bay and hills. So that was it, the bridge is painted metal primer red.
All you had to do was ask me!
Steve Plath, President, Plath&Co.
At the request of college kids from around the country doing papers at the last minute, I've added some bridge facts. I got 'em for $2.50 in the Highlights Facts & Figures of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (1995). One of the saddest is that the bridge is not painted red, but "orange vermillion" deemed International Orange. It sez so on page 24!
When the folks at Heritage find out, you may be drummed out for lying to school kids around the world!
Mike Thoma, President, Attack Strategies
I'd value your comments. Email me at mike@thoma.com
Last updated 27 April, 1996.