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Celebrating WA bridges: `Galloping Gertie’

Celebrating WA bridges: `Galloping Gertie’

(Photos courtesy Washington State Archives) Throughout October, our State Archives is playing tribute to Washington’s historic bridges as documented in its collections as it celebrates Archives Month. In fact, this year’s free Archives Month poster features a dozen photos of historic WA bridges. Today we are featuring two photos of the infamous first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which collapsed in a windstorm on Nov. 7, 1940, just months after opening . The top photo shows early construction of the bridge in…

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Archives photos capture opening of two key bridges

Archives photos capture opening of two key bridges

(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives) Back in 1940, the first week of July was a busy time for bridge dedications in our state. July 1 marks the anniversary when the first Narrows Bridge (photo above) between Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula was dedicated in 1940. However, that bridge lasted only four months. On Nov. 7, 1940, “Galloping Gertie” collapsed in a windstorm. Fortunately, there was no loss of human life during the disaster, although a dog named Tubby perished. …

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Troubled Bridge over Water

Troubled Bridge over Water

Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives Seventy-one years ago yesterday, “Galloping Gertie” galloped her way into the icy Puget Sound waters below. Dedicated on July 1, 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge spanned the narrow section of Puget Sound that separates Pierce County from the Kitsap Peninsula.  With its two towers bridged by 2,800 feet of lightweight materials, the bridge was considered a true marvel of its time. Too lightweight for its own good, however, the bridge would catch the wind blowing through the…

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WSL Speakers Series Now Available via Streaming Video

WSL Speakers Series Now Available via Streaming Video

Many of Washington State Library’s series of events, including our evening and brown bag speakers events, are now available online via streaming video! To find them, try searching the WSL catalog using keywords ‘Educational Outreach Event’ and you will find a list of events to choose from. From the search results list, you may choose to view the video, and in many cases may also view the flyer announcing the event. These videos, along with our upcoming events, can also…

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