San Francisco is known for its historical landmarks, from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to Postcard Row. But there are numerous lesser-known historic spots that give San Francisco its unique character.
There are approximately 300 sites deemed historic by the City. These can include buildings, parks and even entire neighborhoods.
Lotta’s Fountain
Lotta’s Fountain became a meeting point for survivors after the 1906 earthquake, providing work and love. One of San Francisco’s oldest remaining monuments, Lotta’s Fountain is situated at the intersection of Kearny Geary Market Streets – its gift was presented by vaudeville actress Charlotte (Lotta) Crabtree as part of her legacy gift to San Francisco.
This 24-foot cast iron fountain was constructed using spring-loaded brass doorknob handles to release water flow; black tin cups suspended on chains captured it for later collection; the upper and lower arch faceplates featured ornamental Acanthus relief ornamentation.
The fountain remains a popular gathering spot for locals, hosting performances by notable singers and musicians including Madame Luisa Tetrazzini and Jan Kubelik. Unfortunately, years of neglect had resulted in its state becoming neglected until last year when Esplanade Association initiated restoration work on this historic structure.
Odd Fellows Columbarium
Odd Fellows Columbarium is one of San Francisco’s oldest cemeteries and features beautiful Neoclassical architecture that houses cremated remains in memorial niches. While traditional headstones only contain basic information about deceased individuals such as names and dates, cremation niches allow more personalization with images representing their interests or hobbies that might include urns or flowers to show respect to deceased members of society.
At the cemetery you will find many carved stones, monuments and sculptures including statues of Odd Fellows and Catholic Eucharist symbols adorning chalices; there’s even one which symbolizes how soul and body are connected – this chain symbolizing that linkages can also be found throughout.
In 1898, the Odd Fellows constructed a grand neoclassical columbarium at Lone Mountain Cemetery to house their members’ ashes. Designed by Bernard J. Cahill and built using Roman Baroque elements combined with English neoclassicism and 19th century polychrome features by Cahill himself, the structure blended Roman Baroque elements with English neoclassicism as well as 19th century polychrome features. After decades of neglect due to prohibition abuse (bootlegger hideout), restoration took place and restored its former glory once more in 1979.
Fort Point
One of San Francisco’s free attractions, Fort Point in the Presidio is an invaluable gem. This military building dates back to 1849 during Gold Rush times; later used to defend Bay from foreign invasion during Civil War times and World War II.
Fort Sumter was designed to hold up to 141 cannons but never fired during battle; consequently, after the Civil War it was mostly abandoned because more advanced cannon technologies made its use obsolete.
Fort Point is a National Historic Site within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and features a short video which explains its significance if you are not already acquainted with its history. From the top floor, amazing photos can be taken of Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Downtown San Francisco; additionally there are frequent presentations given by Park Rangers during daily operation of Fort Point.
City Hall
Rotunda features ten fluted Corinthian columns supporting a coffered dome, providing the setting for many municipal and national events, such as rallies for the Civil Rights Movement, protests against police brutality, funeral services of Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln that attracted huge crowds of mourners.
Buffalo is known for its maritime history. These figures serve as reminders to remind the city of their obligations to their community.
Town Halls and Civic Materialism: Towards a Global History of Urban Public Space is an examination of changing ideas about citizens’ relationships to civic authority through architecture and iconography of city halls through history, using universal franchise, fascism, world wars, decolonization and neoliberal restructuring of cities as lenses to study this relationship. Comprised of essays written by architectural historians, architects, current/former mayors as well as preservationists as its contributors, this book features essays written by architectural historians/architects/architechnics as well as preservationists among its contributors.
