November 10, 1936 - A small jail in the Administration Building located on the Oakland side of the bridge, wonders who will be first.
November 10, 1936 - View of San Francisco from the upper deck when the entire bridge was lighted for the first time.
November 11, 1936 - Marchers revered the memory of those lost in World War I and celebrated the opening of the Bay Bridge in this photo of the Armistice Day parade held on Broadway in downtown Oakland
November 12, 1936 - California Governor Frank F. Merriam, former President Herbert Hoover, and Oakland Mayor William J. McCracken at the San Francisco Bay Bridge opening ceremonies.
November 12, 1936 - A crowd of over 20,000 people gather on the toll plaza to watch Gov. Merriam cut the golden chain and open the span.
November 12, 1936 - Governor Frank Merriam, holding the torch, as the chain crashes. Beside him at Lieut. Gov George Hatfield and San Francisco Mayor Angelo Rossi.
November 12, 1936 - Cars line up at the toll plaza as far as the eye can see to be the first to cross the new bridge.
November 12, 1936 - A dog rides shotgun waiting for his turn to cross the bridge. Is this the first dog to take a car across the Bay Bridge?
November 12, 1936 - VIP's make the first crossing on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge during opening ceremonies. Newsreel cameramen proceed the motorcycle entourage.
November 12, 1936 - First truck and stage to pay toll on the Bay Bridge.
The original Bay Bridge opened to a four day long ceremony on November 11, 1936. Here are staff photos from the Oakland Tribune archives of the occasion.
The new eastern span of the Bay Bridge is scheduled to open to bicyclists and drivers on Tuesday. Will you be one of the first?