Hudson Heights in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Opening Celebration

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2025

1. Opening Celebration Marker

Inscription.

Opening Celebration. . , With the ceremonious cutting of a white silk ribbon, the governors of New York and New Jersey opened the George Washington Bridge to the public in 1931. Airplanes roared overhead, boat whistles sounded, and a band played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Hundreds of people participated in the ceremony, while thousands more gathered to be among the firsts on the bridge., The new bridge came with a new name. Though it was referred to as the Hudson River Bridge during construction, the official designation pays tribute to Revolutionary War history. The bridge follows the path taken by General George Washington , from Fort Washington in Manhattan to Fort Lee in the Palisades , eventually leading to victory across the River., America's first president was at the heart of the opening ceremony remarks. The day would establish the George Washington Bridge as a destination for sightseeing and community events, including parades for its namesake. It was recorded favorably, if not dramatically by the media.,

"Two ribbons tied by a bow marked the centre of the span and the boundary of two sovereign States. Governor Roosevelt grasped one end of the bow, Governor Larson the other. The ribbons parted. A police lieutenant fell on his face, in a heart attack. A patrolman fainted. Two schoolboys roller-skated across the bridge from the Manhattan side, the first passengers from New York. A New Jersey woman pushed her baby carriage to Manhattan, first passenger from her State. The bridge was open." , Time Magazine , Excerpt from "Biggest Bridge" , November 2, 1931

, [Captions:] , The formal ceremony on opening day lasted five hours and featured government officials and service members. Events were held in different locations on the bridge and community celebrations took place in both states., The first paying motorist to cross the George Washington Bridge was Michael Katen. Port Authority officers collected tolls at the time., A commemorative medal celebrates the bridge opening and cooperation between states., New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt paid tribute to the "great ideals" of President Washington in his dedication of the George Washington Bridge on October 24, 1931.

With the ceremonious cutting of a white silk ribbon, the governors of New York and New Jersey opened the George Washington Bridge to the public in 1931. Airplanes roared overhead, boat whistles sounded, and a band played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Hundreds of people participated in the ceremony, while thousands more gathered to be among the firsts on the bridge.

The new bridge came with a new name. Though it was referred to as the Hudson River Bridge during construction, the official designation pays tribute to Revolutionary War history. The bridge follows the path taken by General George Washington — from Fort Washington in Manhattan to Fort Lee in the Palisades — eventually leading to victory across the River.

America's first president was at the heart of the opening ceremony remarks. The day would establish the George Washington Bridge as a destination for sightseeing and community events, including parades for its namesake. It was recorded favorably, if not dramatically by the media.

"Two ribbons tied by a bow marked the centre of the span and the boundary of two sovereign States. Governor Roosevelt grasped
Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online
one end of the bow, Governor Larson the other. The ribbons parted. A police lieutenant fell on his face, in a heart attack. A patrolman fainted. Two schoolboys roller-skated across the bridge from the Manhattan side, the first passengers from New York. A New Jersey woman pushed her baby carriage to Manhattan, first passenger from her State. The bridge was open."
Time Magazine
Excerpt from "Biggest Bridge"
November 2, 1931

[Captions:]
The formal ceremony on opening day lasted five hours and featured government officials and service members. Events were held in different locations on the bridge and community celebrations took place in both states.

The first paying motorist to cross the George Washington Bridge was Michael Katen. Port Authority officers collected tolls at the time.

A commemorative medal celebrates the bridge opening and cooperation between states.

New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt paid tribute to the "great ideals" of President Washington in his dedication of the George Washington Bridge on October 24, 1931.

Erected by Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Topics and series. This

Markers on display at George Washington Bridge Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2025

2. Markers on display at George Washington Bridge Park

historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Patriots & Patriotism • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #32 Franklin D. Roosevelt series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 24, 1931.

Location. 40° 51.002′ N, 73° 56.48′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Hudson Heights. It can be reached from the intersection of Cabrini Boulevard and West 180th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 Cabrini Blvd, New York NY 10033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

Paid Advertisement

markers are within walking distance of this marker: Making History (here, next to this marker); Building the Bridge (here, next to this marker); Next Level (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Building the Bridge (here, next to this marker); Modern Updates (here, next to this marker); The Winning Plan (here, next to this marker); Maintaining the Bridge (here, next to this marker); A Work of Art (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.