Coit Tower is a San Francisco landmark on Telegraph Hill, accessible via a steep road or footpath. It was built with funds donated by Lillie Coit to enhance the city’s beauty, and features murals depicting local scenes. Visitors can take an elevator to the top for stunning views.
Coit Tower is a distinctive San Francisco landmark located on Telegraph Hill north of the Financial District. Coit Tower can be seen from many points in the city and is accessed via a steep road and footpath. Coit Tower is 180 meters tall and many tourists like to access the top of the tower for a breathtaking view of San Francisco and surrounding areas. Coit Tower also features a series of murals painted during the Works Progress Administration, depicting local occupations and neighborhoods.
Coit Tower was built with funds donated by Elizabeth Wyche “Lillie” Hitchcock Coit, who donated a third of her fortune upon her death in 1929 to beautify the city of San Francisco. Lillie Coit was a world traveler and brought back many artifacts from her adventures, but she apparently regarded San Francisco as her very home and wanted to leave a lasting legacy to the city. The funds were used to build two monuments: Coit Tower and a sculpture in Washington Square depicting three firefighters.
Coit Tower is usually believed to have been built as a monument to the San Francisco Firefighters, because Lillie Coit was a lifelong supporter of the firefighters. However, despite the tower’s resemblance to a flamethrower, many historians agree that Coit Tower was simply built to enhance the beauty of the city. Coit Tower is also surrounded by steep landscaped gardens which are pleasant enough to walk through.
Visitors to Coit Tower can take an elevator to the top, admiring the stunning murals along the way. The murals have been restored and specially treated so that they remain intact and are considered an important part of San Francisco’s history. Among other things, the murals depict farmers in the fields, a bank robbery, a view of the port, a busy city street and a variety of other scenes. Tours of Coit Tower are offered where the murals are explained in detail.
Due to the steepness of the hill, Telegraph Hill can be difficult to access. The walk is very physically demanding and space for cars is limited. However, Coit Tower is well worth the effort, as visitors are rewarded with a tranquil setting and the breathtaking views of a beautiful city. At night, the tower is illuminated and stands out against the San Francisco skyline, appearing to the right of the skyscrapers of the Financial District.
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