In 1933, construction for the Golden Gate Bridge began amid one of the darkest chapters in America's history—the Great Depression.
Business leaders, including Standard Oil Company of California (SoCal now Chevron) President Kenneth Kingsbury recognized the economic benefits that the bridge would bring and became proponents of the bridge's construction. Chevron assigned employee Ted Huggins to help promote the bridge. In addition to Huggins' involvement, Chevron provided fuel, lubricants and asphalt for the bridge's construction.
Huggins became one of the bridge's first photographers. He chronicled the bridge's construction from both shores, from the two towers as they rose and, eventually, from high, wind-swept catwalks strung between the towers. He also took pictures from constructions boat, from ferries crossing the bay and from the air.
"Ted Huggins managed to capture the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge as it rose, and in the process tied together the many threads that make this a uniquely Californian symbol, from nature to people to commerce," said California State Librarian Emeritus Kevin Starr.
Life Magazine selected a Huggins photo for the May 31, 1937, cover noting the bridge's grand opening. His remarkable photography helped establish the bridge as a symbol of the Bay Area's economic renewal.
Today, Huggins' photos remain as powerful as ever. To download your own Ted Huggins images, and to request a free copy of limited edition artwork celebrating the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th anniversary, please visit www.TedHuggins.com.