Celebrating the bridge's beginning

The weather was threatening and a bit of rain fell, but that didn't deter a big crowd of spectators from turning out on May 30, 1928, for the official dedication ceremonies for the Silver Bridge.

Highlighting the ceremonies was a parade that took the form of an historical pageant, recounting the region's growth and development from before the first white settlers came up to the present day. The dedication remarks were delivered by U.S. Sen. M.M. Nelly, who flew to Point Pleasant from Fairmont, where he had delivered a Memorial Day address that morning.

The celebration was conducted on the Ohio side of the span where there was more room. Loudspeakers carried the program to the West Virginia side of the river where another crowd gathered in downtown Point Pleasant.

The Herald-Dispatch reported that those from Huntington on hand for the big event included Mayor and Mrs. Will E. Neal, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Rep. James A. Hughes.