Remembering Albert Rosellini

Ex-Governor Rosellini

The former governor of the State of Washington and friend of the Olympic Peninsula has died at his home at 101.

Rosellini was chairman of the Toll Bridge Authority in the 1950s and as governor was a proponent of a floating bridge across the saltwater Hood Canal.  This bridge was perhaps the single piece of infrastructure that changed the face of the Olympic Peninsula forever, giving millions easy access to the undeveloped beauty that is our home.

The Hood Canal Floating Bridge was a concept engineers worried would not only be susceptible to salt corrosion but to tidal motions that raise and lower the bridge up to 16 feet.  There were problems with the pontoons that required more funding buy in August 1961, motor vehicles could reach Jefferson and Clallam counties without having to drive from Olympia, Shelton or Aberdeen.

Governor Rosellini will also be remembered as the chief executive during the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962.  This blogger still remembers him standing under the Space Needle with Elvis Presley, signing autographs as if he was a rock star.  Governor Rosellini will always be remembered to have the vision and drive to open the State of Washington and the Olympic Peninsula to millions of Americans vacationers.