Visit Coit Tower
In San Francisco, a city defined by its distinctive California character, stands Coit Tower. Also known as the Coit Memorial Tower, it was dedicated to the volunteer firefighters who died during the city's five major blazes. It sits like a beacon atop Telegraph Hill, providing a panoramic vantage point over the city and the bay.
History
Because of its prime location, Telegraph Hill became a two-story observation platform in 1849. Its position allowed observers to track incoming ships and relay information to the port.
Lillie Hitchcock Coit was a singular personality. Born in 1843, she took an early interest in the fires that ravaged the city. She quickly became a mascot for the fire department and began joining them on calls as a teenager. Later, as a wealthy and independent woman, she often dressed in men's clothing to play cards and smoke cigars in male-only circles.
Upon her death, one-third of her fortune was left for the beautification of the city she loved. An architectural competition followed, which was won by Arthur Brown Junior. On October 8, 1933, the tower was inaugurated during an official ceremony.
The Coit Tower
Coit Tower rises 210 feet above the city, offering a clear view from the observation deck.
The murals inside Coit Tower are a rare example of the American Realist style. These paintings, executed primarily by students and faculty from the California School of Arts, represent the first federal art employment program of the New Deal.
The artwork reflects primarily Marxist political ideas. Some paintings feature Das Kapital by Marx, and one fresco that was later removed included an image of Lenin.
This is a remarkable site that showcases a vision of activist art. It is an unusual spot that remains worth your time.
I saw this tower for the first time on my TV screen while playing GTA San Andreas, a medium that is only somewhat faithful to the original.
But, I liked being able to discover this building that I only knew in pixels.
This 1930s tower, which must be about 30 meters tall, contains some pretty striking murals. A good number of them have the Great Depression as their theme. The economic crisis is a theme that is actually very contemporary.
For $9, you can also access the top observation deck, where you will have an incredible view of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz.