05/27/2026
ON THIS DAY - May 27th & 28th, 1937 – Golden Gate Bridge opens (PA steel used)
One of America’s greatest landmarks was built with Pennsylvania steel.
When the Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937, connecting San Francisco to Marin County, it became an instant symbol of American ingenuity. But few realize that nearly half of the steel that made this engineering marvel possible was fabricated right here in Pennsylvania. In Pottstown, workers at Bethlehem Steel’s McClintic-Marshall plant produced 41,800 tons of the 100,000 tons of steel used in the bridge’s construction.
Beginning in 1933, hundreds of Pennsylvania workers spent years crafting the girders, columns, and structural components. These massive pieces were shipped across the country—by rail to Philadelphia, then by sea through the Panama Canal—to become part of the bridge that still stands today.
At the height of the Great Depression, this project provided jobs, purpose, and hope to Pennsylvania families. And in doing so, it demonstrated the strength of Pennsylvania’s steel industry—helping build not just bridges, but the backbone of modern America.
From the mills of Pennsylvania… To the shores of California… Our Commonwealth helped shape one of the most iconic structures in the world.
📜 Learn more about Pennsylvania’s role in building the Golden Gate Bridge: https://phspa.org/golden-gate-bridge-has-roots-in-pottstown/
Photo is from Golden Gate Bridge Wikipedia page and is a digital copy of the paper invitations sent out to the locals to attend the grand opening of the bridge
