NEXT ACT WILL BE OPENING OF BIG SPAN
February 21, 1930: The gap is closed. For weeks it has been growing steadily smaller and smaller, and almost each night it could be seen to be smaller than it had been that morning. Friday the first link of the actual process of closing the gap was put in place when a 28 foot steel cord was swung into place. But the gap in the structure was still visible. Monday it disappeared entirely, and the next act that remains now is the opening of the bridge that will link two states and two cities. ...
While the piece of steel was being fastened in place with the giant pin, "Kid" Hutson trotted across the now bridged gap and thereby won for himself the distinction of being the first man to walk over the Columbia river below the Willamette. After the cord was in place Jack McDonald, superintendent of the Oregon side of the erection, and Enoch Gerrick, superintendent of the Washington side crew, stepped on the now rigid piece and shook hands. ...
February 28, 1930: Formal dedication of the six million dollar
Columbia River Bridge connecting Longview, Washington and Rainier,
Oregon, will take place at two o'clock on the afternoon of March
29, [1930]. This highest highway span over a navigable stream in
America will be opened when President Hoover presses the golden key
in the executive offices at the White House. As the electric spark
severs the bridge barrier in the center of the Columbia, thirty
thousand motorists, moving in opposite traffic lines will pass over
the great steel structure, which rises in its center span of 1200
feet, to a height of 196 feet. The chief executives of Oregon,
Washington, California, Idaho, and British Columbia will be present
at the dedication. Specially decorated motor caravans, representing
Chambers of Commerce, service clubs, and fraternal organizations,
will be in line from all parts of the Pacific Coast. This bridge is
another link of Pacific Highway, that gives the touring motorist
direct route into Northwestern Oregon and the Oregon beaches over
the scenic Columbia River Highway.
--
Our bridge is here; by Cripes, we got her;
She stands up high above the water.
Let's clap our hands and give a cheer,
She's made of steel from pier to pier.
Her manly form the river spans,
She's built to carry every clan,
The Scotch, the Irish, Swede and Finn
And all the rest she can rope in.
So let us cheer and wave a flag,
It gives our town a powerful drag.
Forget your troubles, grab a horn
And boost the berg where you were born.
Why grouch and cuss and get het up?
Come to the feat and drink your cup
And let your joys be undefiled.
Go to the place where the money's piled.
Let's holler and beller and fairly go bugs;
Get out your guns and fill them with slugs,
Grease up your Lizzie and fill her with gas,
Hit for the bridge and park on the grass.
Now hold down your horn till the juice is low,
Get a new battery and continue to blow,
Shout your dang head off and spoil your voice,
The party that owns it likes to see you rejoice.
But we got our bridge, let's whistle and sing,
We know a fortune to us it will bring.
We have lost our lots but still have a hall,
So go to the bridge and holler and bawl.
We know she landed a little below
Our dear Fossil Town where the blackberries grow
But don't let this worry you for a minute;
Just grab for your music; let's all get in it.
Let's whistle, toot and throw a spell,
Beat your tom-toms and just raise Hell.
This side of the river the bridge has a bend --
Longview, you know, gets the paying end.
So let us go crazy and pull our hair,
We don't have to keep the thing in repair.
You own that bridge; you do like Hell;
And you won't, either, till after a spell.
Lewis and Clark paddled their little canoe
On the waters over which this monster grew.
They'd throw a fit and both turn blue
If they saw this bunch and the prize they drew.
--E. P. Dove
Marine Iron Works
Rainier, Oregon
March 28, 1930: The much discussed question of tolls over the new bridge will not cause any worry tomorrow, at least. For, on the opening day, from the time of the formal opening until midnight, there will be no tolls. All motor and pedestrian traffic will be free, in order that all those who wish may see the bridge at close range and actually drive over it on the day of its dedication.
Promptly at midnight, however, taking of the tolls will begin, and will continue day and night. In the meantime, all who wish to have the experience of driving over the bridge without paying the toll must do so tomorrow afternoon and before midnight.
[It cost a dollar for an automobile to cross the bridge. Pedestrians were charged $0.10. A pass book could be purchased at a slightly reduced rate.]
April 4, 1930: To attempt an elaborate news account of the dedication of the bridge across the Columbia river between Longview and Rainier which took place Saturday afternoon would require more space than we can give, although this important event deserves more than the usual space accorded more than ordinary events.
The crowds surpassed all expectations. The number of automobiles which crossed the bridge from the hour of its opening until midnight was 11,327 and there were a great many in both Longview and Rainier which did not cross due to the traffic jam which required hours to make the trip across. Cars were in line from Rainier east as far as Goble, so great was the jam. On the Washington side it was fully as bad.
Promptly at 2 o'clock President Herbert Hoover pressed the button in Washington, D. C. which formally opened the great structure to traffic. Governors Hartley and Norblad of Washington and Oregon respectively, were at the center of the span and each made short but pointed addresses.
The bridge was christened by Mrs. J. J. Tynan, who forgot to bring her bottle so as to perform the stunt in the approved manner. ...
Governor Norblad of Oregon was introduced as a guest speaker. He cited the bridge as a symbol of the progress and growth of mankind and declared that he was proud to be numbered among those who visioned a bridge across the river back in 1919.
"Here on the Pacific coast will someday be the front door, instead
of the back door of America."
-- Governor Norblad
"Bridges of this kind are rapidly aiding in bringing the west into
its own. It represents the dawn of a better era."
-- Governor Norblad
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