Name/Title
Print, PhotographicEntry/Object ID
1975.81.7Description
Photograph of California State Governor Frank Merriam using a shotgun to shoot a ribbon (out of frame) to commemorate the opening of the highway. There is a large crowd of people behind him, the U.S. flag, and the State of California flag. A vehicle in the crowd has license plate number "MR1826."
Additional information: After receiving a telegraph message from President Franklin D. Roosevelt giving the OK, California State Governor Frank Merriam opened the new highway in true western style by “cutting the ribbon” with a blast from a shotgun. With the highway officially open, the Lincoln Zephyr raced off toward Panamint Valley with hundreds of cars following behind.
This photo is of the Wedding of the Waters ceremony in 1937, but was printed on July 5, 1975 by Curtis Phillips of Bishop.