Coit Tower

Description

A 210-foot Art-Deco tower, built of unpainted reinforced concrete, in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood built using Lillie Hitchcock Coit's bequest to beautify the city of San Francisco.

The interior features fresco murals in the American Social Realism style, painted by 22 different onsite artists and their numerous assistants. Three artists preferred oil on canvas and worked offsite. One artist preferred egg tempera rather than fresco.

Constructed, 1933

Designations

National Register of Historic Places in Jan 29, 2008

San Francisco Designated Landmark in 1984

Factoids

It is often erroneously stated that the structure was dedicated to the volunteer firemen who had died in San Francisco's five major fires, but that is not accurate. The tower was constructed as the result of a bequest by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, whose will included two bequests, one to create a memorial to the city's volunteer firefighters, which was done by statuary in Washington Square, and the other to beautify the city. Coit Tower is the result of the second bequest.

A concrete relief of a phoenix by sculptor Robert Boardman Howard is placed above the main entrance. It was commissioned by the architect and cast as part of the building.

Images

6 ResultsShow less

Images

6 ImagesShow less

1961 - Aerial view of Coit Tower

Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill

Mural in Coit Tower

Looking out at the top

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37-24, 24th St, Suite 102, Long Island City, NY 11101