Hoover christens Memorial Bridge in 1932 newsreel

Arlington Memorial Bridge opened in 1932, amidst the very depths of the Great Depression. It was a major event in Washington, which drew President Herbert Hoover, the first lady, and the vice president.

This vintage newsreel illustrates the excitement. The newsman is particularly enthusiastic that the bridge is wide enough for “4 cars to pass abreast.”

By the way, did you know the bridge doesn’t actually go to Arlington? Both sides are totally within the District of Columbia.

It’s a common misconception that the boundary between DC and Virginia is the middle of the Potomac. But in fact, the entire river is part of the District. If you are standing on the Virginia shore and step one foot into the river, you have technically crossed into DC.

The Memorial Bridge technically connects mainland DC and Columbia Island. The island is best known for the traffic circle on the far side of the bridge, often-confusing ramps on and off the George Washington Parkway, unsafe pedestrian/bicycle crossings, and Park Police who yell at drivers when they stop for pedestrians.

Since Columbia Island is fully within DC, so is the Memorial Bridge. The actual Virginia boundary is along the much-shorter Esplanade Bridge, between Columbia Island and the Virginia mainland. This also means the GW Parkway and Mount Vernon Trail are partially within DC, since they run through Columbia Island.

Periodic protest organizer Adam Kokesh might benefit from consulting this map. He’s trying to lead a July 4th march with guns on DC, but since DC prohibits carrying guns around, including loaded ones, he’s now planning to march on the Memorial Bridge up to the District line and meet police there. He might have a hard time, since the District line doesn’t cross the Memorial Bridge.

Cross-posted at BeyondDC.