Al Zampa
Encyclopedia
Alfred Zampa was a United States bridge worker who played an integral role in the construction of numerous San Francisco Bay Area
bridges during the early twentieth century. He is most notable for being one of the first people to survive falling off the Golden Gate Bridge
. He is a charter member of the Half Way to Hell Club, whose members are the men who fell from the Golden Gate Bridge and were saved by the nets.
In 1987 writer Isabelle Maynard wrote and produced a play titled "The Ace" chronicling Zampa’s exploits on the Golden Gate Bridge and the formation of the Half Way to Hell Club
. "The Ace" was based on Zampa's life and was advertised as an "iron worker’s story of heroism, risk and recognition on the Golden Gate Bridge.” It was well-received on San Francisco stages, especially during the bridge’s 50th anniversary year. The Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge is named in his honor. The new bridge replaced the 1927 span of the Carquinez Bridge which Al helped construct, beginning at the young age of 20. Al Zampa retired from the position of Iron Worker at the age of 65 in 1970, and died at the age of 95 in Tormey
, California.
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
bridges during the early twentieth century. He is most notable for being one of the first people to survive falling off the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
. He is a charter member of the Half Way to Hell Club, whose members are the men who fell from the Golden Gate Bridge and were saved by the nets.
In 1987 writer Isabelle Maynard wrote and produced a play titled "The Ace" chronicling Zampa’s exploits on the Golden Gate Bridge and the formation of the Half Way to Hell Club
Half Way to Hell Club
An exclusive club organized by the men who fell from the Golden Gate Bridge in 1936 and 1937 and were saved by the safety nets. One of the clubs earliest members was Iron Worker Al Zampa who fell into the safety nets in October 1936....
. "The Ace" was based on Zampa's life and was advertised as an "iron worker’s story of heroism, risk and recognition on the Golden Gate Bridge.” It was well-received on San Francisco stages, especially during the bridge’s 50th anniversary year. The Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge is named in his honor. The new bridge replaced the 1927 span of the Carquinez Bridge which Al helped construct, beginning at the young age of 20. Al Zampa retired from the position of Iron Worker at the age of 65 in 1970, and died at the age of 95 in Tormey
Tormey, California
Tormey is an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County, California between Rodeo and Crockett on the edge of the Tosco oil refinery in Rodeo. It is west-northwest of Martinez, at an elevation of 20 feet . The community is home to several dozen homes and the former offices of the John Swett...
, California.
External links
- AlZampaBridge.com Official site of the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge