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THE GOLDEN GATE INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION

ith the completion of the Bay Bridge in 1936 and The Golden Gate Exposition attracted over seventeen
the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, the San Francisco million visitors from all around the country. In addition to
WBay became host to two of the longest and most serving as a celebration of the Bay’s two new bridges, the fair
impressive suspension bridges of the era. In fact, the Golden was named a “Pageant of the Pacific.” This theme aimed to
Gate Bridge, at 4,200 feet, remained the longest suspension promote, in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s words, the “unity
bridge in the world for almost thirty years after its construction. of the Pacific nations,” or all nations bordering the Pacific
In order to celebrate these two technological marvels, a world’s ocean. Calling San Francisco “the doorway to the sea that
fair was planned for the year 1939, to be held on a four- roars upon all these nations,” he hoped the Exposition would
hundred-acre section of the newly built Treasure Island. highlight the shared ties and destinies of these countries.

ABOVE: A postage stamp
commemorating the 1939 Golden
Gate International Exposition
(GGIE), which was put on as a
celebration of the completion of the
Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge.

LEFT: The Crowley No. 2 was one
of the two glass-enclosed water taxis
that Crowley made for his passenger
service at the fair.

OPPOSITE, clockwise from
top: A water-skier is pulled behind
one of the four Crowley speedboats
used at the fair. • A colorful post-
card commemorates the event on
Treasure Island. • A ticket for one
of Crowley’s “sightseeing boat rides”
at the Exposition.

44 • Red and White Fleet