382 replies to this topic

[john]

It's apparently been narrowed down to 4 categories...

http://www.sacbee.co...ry/1028697.html

(FYI, Folsom's original name was Granite City. After Folsom died, they renamed the city in his honor)

[Solartide]

Johnny Cash- I'm not sure what he did besides sing one song about Folsom Prison, and that doesn't seem like enough work to have a bridge in honor.

Folsom Dam- Open the dam road will be open the dam bridge...

Folsom Lake- Eh, seems like a good idea.

Granite City- Seems outdated.

[cw68]

Johnny Cash Bridge just because it's more fun then the rest.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Johnny Cash's only connection to Folsom was singing at the prison... I wouldn't want the name of the bridge to be something that would bring the prison to mind. Surely there's something else about Folsom we want to honor.

[Steve Heard]

Johnny Cash

His name is linked to Folsom via the 2 prison concerts that he did, as well as the movie with a scene filmed there. The song 'Folsom Prison Blues' put Folsom on the map.

I was talking to a guy at the prison museum recently, and he told me that people come in from all over the world and ask about the Johnny Cash concerts there.

Although some might find it silly, fans would come to get photographed in front the 'Johnny Cash Bridge' sign.

The name give the bridge character, give Folsom notoriety, and will bring in tourist dollars.

[Darthvader]

Johnny Cash

His name is linked to Folsom via the 2 prison concerts that he did, as well as the movie with a scene filmed there. The song 'Folsom Prison Blues' put Folsom on the map.

I was talking to a guy at the prison museum recently, and he told me that people come in from all over the world and ask about the Johnny Cash concerts there.

Although some might find it silly, fans would come to get photographed in front the 'Johnny Cash Bridge' sign.

The name give the bridge character, give Folsom notoriety, and will bring in tourist dollars.

You can't be serious. Who in the world would come here to see an average bridge next to a dam that holds back water from an empty lake? Johnny Cash and Granite whatever are terrible catagories. I'm sure they'll go with some lame name like Folsom Lake Bridge that 400 people suggested so there can be multiple "winners" in the name the bridge contest, you'll see.

[cw68]

Johnny Cash's only connection to Folsom was singing at the prison... I wouldn't want the name of the bridge to be something that would bring the prison to mind. Surely there's something else about Folsom we want to honor.

Except that Folsom is already known for that and I don't think a bridge would influence that much. I can't tell you how many people, upon hearing I moved to Folsom, said something about Johnny Cash and the prison.

[john]

It's part of Folsom's history, let's honor it and Cash's legacy.
In 20-30 years, nobody will be living here that was around when Cash sang at the prison. However the bridge will (hopefully) always remain.

[Darthvader]

It's part of Folsom's history, let's honor it and Cash's legacy.
In 20-30 years, nobody will be living here that was around when Cash sang at the prison. However the bridge will (hopefully) always remain.

Way to get all sentimental. He sang that concert 40 years ago, how about we move ahead and make a decision not based on a song your grandpa might know.

[Folsom Mike]

Well I'm glad that they got rid of some categories at least. Hoping that somehow my "Folsom Flyway" entry is still in the running. But ya Johnny Cash and Granite City seem way irrelevant of a reference for a bridge that thousands of people will use every day. And I find it astounding how people come up with these long developed names with no easy way of referring to them (i.e. when giving directions).

[Jolene]

There was a discussion on another board I'm on about song lyrics that bug the heck out of you and someone brought up Folsom Prison Blues because of:

A) "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die..." - Well, then how did you end up in a state prison in CALIFORNIA????

and

B) There are numerous cities in California, in which Johnny Cash could have shot a man just to watch him die, which would have worked just as well in the song:

Chino, Chico, Tahoe (so! close!), Fresno, Oakland (see also: Piedmont, Rockridge), Berkeley, Redding, Truckee, Lodi, Stockton, Davis, Hayward, and, of course Folsom itself.

[Naga Jolokia]

Johnny Cash

His name is linked to Folsom via the 2 prison concerts that he did, as well as the movie with a scene filmed there. The song 'Folsom Prison Blues' put Folsom on the map.

I was talking to a guy at the prison museum recently, and he told me that people come in from all over the world and ask about the Johnny Cash concerts there.

Although some might find it silly, fans would come to get photographed in front the 'Johnny Cash Bridge' sign.

The name give the bridge character, give Folsom notoriety, and will bring in tourist dollars.

Not only stevethedad is quite "decent" but he is also very "wise".

[forumreader]

Johnny Cash's only connection to Folsom was singing at the prison... I wouldn't want the name of the bridge to be something that would bring the prison to mind. Surely there's something else about Folsom we want to honor.

Absolutely agree!

Remember the rich history of this city and the surrounding area. This is something to be proud of! I vote for Granite City.

[Dave Burrell]

It's part of Folsom's history, let's honor it and Cash's legacy.
In 20-30 years, nobody will be living here that was around when Cash sang at the prison. However the bridge will (hopefully) always remain.

Ditto what John said, like him or not, Cash made our town famous
my

[Bill Z]

Ditto what John said, like him or not, Cash made our town famous
my

While JC was a famous songwriter and singer, I don't think he was a very honorable man and his short stints in town I find not very worthy. If we want to name it after a person, I would much rather it get named after someone prominent in the town's history that was a resident, rather than a country rock star that never even could call the place home.

But as I am all for keeping it simple and going with the vernacular, Folsom Dam Bridge works fine for me, because regardless of the official name, it's going to be know as "the dam bridge" (with the added n in mind). Just like Natomas Crossing is known in the vernacular as "the new bridge", most everyone will refer to this new bridge as "the dam bridge" and Natomas Crossing will still be called "the new bridge".