Midwinter Fair, 1894

Park History
 Park History

Overview History Of Golden Gate Park

In San Francisco’s Gold Rush days, the area that Frederick Law Olmsted, traveling in California in
is now Golden Gate Park was marked on maps 1866, proposed a public park for San Francisco to
as part of the “great sand waste,” and untram- enhance the health and morality of the citizenry,
meled “Outside Lands,” located well beyond the and attract capital and investment of the business
reach of the city’s masses. By the end of the community. Olmsted envisioned a series of parks:
Civil War, the city of San Francisco emerged as a promenade across the city to the bay, parade
the chief commerce center on the Pacific Coast, ground, and pleasure ground in sheltered Hayes
rich in the silver wealth of the Comstock and Valley. At the same time, the federal government
eagerly anticipating completion of a transconti- upheld the city’s title to the Outside Lands against
nental railroad. The populace of the city, once claims of squatters. During the course of lengthy
teeming with transient fortune-seekers and litigation over the Outside Lands, local politicians,
speculators, now settled down to build a world- led by Frank McCoppin and other citizens, rallied
class metropolis. for establishment of a public park in the western
quarter of the city. A supervisorial committee
In 1870 the large urban park was a new idea, and subdivided the Outside Lands and proposed an
something of a social experiment. New York’s arrangement whereby squatters could donate a
Central Park (1858), Philadelphia’s Fairmont portion of their claims for a public park in return
Park (1865), and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park for clear title to the remainder of their lands. The
(1866) were the only comparable examples in proposal won McCoppin the Mayor’s office, and
the nation. The idea of a public pleasure ground gained the approval of the state legislature. The
for use by all classes of people was a new and supervisors, however, debated over the eastern
democratic concept. boundary of the park. The majority opinion of

Sand dunes in what is now Golden Gate Park

Photo: Wells Fargo Bank

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supervisors Stanyan, Shrader and Cole prevailed,

establishing Stanyan Street as the park’s eastern Topographic map from the survey by William Hammond Hall. Printed in the
limit, with an avenue extending to Baker Street. First Biennial Report of the San Francisco Park Commissioners, 1870-71.
Olmsted’s plan for a sheltered inland park and
promenade was cast aside for economic reasons:
the availability of cheap Outside lands and
support of speculators who had a direct financial
interest in improvements in the western section of
the city.

On April 4, 1870, the state legislature passed “An

Act to provide for the improvement of Public
Parks in the City of San Francisco.” Soon after,
the newly-formed park commission advertised
bonds to fund park improvements. Enough bonds
were sold to finance a topographical survey of
Golden Gate Park and its approach. Surveyor and
engineer William Hammond Hall won the con-
tract to survey park land, completed his report on
February 15, 1871, and in August that year was
appointed as engineer of the park.

Hall and his work crews took on the task of

transforming the sandy, sparsely vegetated 1,017
acre park tract between Stanyan Street and the
ocean into a pleasure ground which would convey
“warmth, repose, and enlivenment” to citizens.
Hall started work on the 270 acres in the eastern
end of the park, a locale suitable for features such
as a picnic ground, gardens, play and recreation
area, and the avenue of approach now known as
the Panhandle. He envisioned a woodland forest
on the 600 acres west of Strawberry Hill, but first
the extensive sand drifts had to be reclaimed with
vegetation. Experiments revealed that lupine seed
sown with fast-growing barley successfully
sheltered delicate lupine strands from harsh winds

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Park History

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and shifting dunes. Initial work completed in government and vexed park management in the ous winter climate. The California Midwinter
1871 included grading, fencing, drainage and nineteenth century. Park Superintendent Hall International Exposition opened on January 27,
irrigation work, and development of a park became the target of political attacks when he 1894, amid parades, bands and military salutes.
nursery. The following year, 22,000 hardy and resisted corrupt politicians. He resigned his post When the fair closed six months later, over two
quick growing trees were set out, park roads built, in 1876, and for the next decade the park lan- million visitors had passed through the turnstiles,
and visitors began to arrive by the thousands guished due to lack of funds. A change in city and the fair recorded a modest profit. The 200-
(W.H. Hall, in Report of the Park Commission- administration in 1886 heralded the overhaul of acre Midwinter Fair left an enduring legacy on
ers, 1872). the Board of Park Commissioners, and the return Golden Gate Park. Several exposition displays
of William Hammond Hall’s involvement in continued as park attractions, including the
Golden Gate Park welcomed pedestrians, ladies Golden Gate Park. Hall, then State Engineer, Japanese Tea Garden, and the Egyptian-style
and gentlemen in fine carriages, equestrians, and examined the condition of the park’s forest and Fine Arts Building, which, filled with objets d’art
hordes of bicyclists after 1880. Park use reflected general state of affairs. In 1886, Frederick Law from the fair, became a permanent museum. The
the recreational activities of all San Franciscans, Olmsted commented on the reclamation and fair’s Grand Court became the Music Concourse.
and included band concerts, floral displays, progress of work in the park, stating that, while Other fair structures were demolished, and with
picnicking, croquet, tennis, and racing carriages obviously far from its finished state, the park was considerable effort by Superintendent John
on the speed road. Facilities arose on park land to “an achievement far exceeding all that I have McLaren and his crews, the bulk of the fair site
attract visitors, including a conservatory erected believed possible” (F.L. Olmsted to Board of returned to parkland.
on North Drive in 1877, an adjacent music stand Park Commissioners, 1886). In 1890, John
completed in 1882, and the children’s quarters McLaren became park superintendent and held At the turn of the century, under a new city
and playground, dedicated in 1888. the post for over half a century. McLaren soon charter, the park came under the direct jurisdic-
faced the greatest challenge of his career. tion of the city government instead of the state
The new pleasure ground provided an aesthetic legislature. New additions included a park lodge,
balance to the harsh realities of city life. Weary In the wake of the widely acclaimed World’s music stand donated by Claus Spreckels, a chain
city residents could relax in the hygienic atmo- Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, of lakes, and windmills. The growing popularity
sphere of the park, surrounded by sublime scen- San Francisco’s park commissioners approved of the horseless carriage fostered new user
ery of trees, shrubs, gardens and picturesque deviation from traditional park use and agreed to conflicts and enforcement challenges for the park
lakes. The park also fulfilled a higher purpose of host the California Midwinter International police squad.
social reform. In the Gilded Age of the 1870's, Exposition in an undeveloped area east of newly-
parks were seen as a tonic of nature which exerted constructed Stow Lake. San Francisco Chronicle In 1906, the park served as a place of refuge for
positive influence on the morals of the common publisher Michael H. deYoung, who had served thousands of displaced citizens in the wake of the
citizen and contributed to physical and mental as a vice-president of the Chicago exposition, and earthquake. Refugee tent camps sprang up
health. The concept of parks as a vehicle for banker James D. Phelan, former chairman of beside the park lodge and conservatory, and
social reform continued into the next century, but California’s fair exhibit in Chicago, spearheaded surrounded the Garfield Monument and other
park use moved gradually from aesthetic appre- the campaign to raise funds for the fair. Promot- familiar landmarks. Barracks camps covered ball
ciation to utilitarianism. ers hoped a California world’s fair would help fields and straddled the abandoned Speed Road.
pull the state from the depths of a nationwide A number of park structures sustained heavy
Political corruption and chicanery tainted city recession and showcase San Francisco’s salubri- damage during the temblor: the Sweeney Obser-

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 Park History

vatory atop Strawberry Hill twisted grotesquely rather than a moral tonic. Americans experi- park carousel and Huntington Falls, renovation
and was completely destroyed, and the Children’s enced an increase in leisure time brought about of the music concourse, and initiation of park
Quarters, art museum, emergency aid station, and by shorter work weeks, technological innova- reforestation. Adoption of park objectives and
Spreckels Temple of Music suffered severe tion, or the high unemployment rates during the policies in “The Plan for Golden Gate Park” in
damage. By the new year, the park refugee Great Depression. The Depression also fueled 1979 led to road closures at Marx Meadow
camps closed, and key park structures were New Deal construction of the Angler’s Lodge, Drive, Overlook Drive, and the Sixth Avenue
repaired. One new structure, Portals of the Past, Model Yacht Club, Police Stables, Crossover entrance. In 1992, work was begun on the first
commemorated the disaster. Drive, the Park Presidio Bypass, visitor comfort comprehensive master plan for Golden Gate
stations, and a water reclamation plant near the Park in this century.
The neighborhoods of the Richmond and Sunset Great Highway. During the war years, San
surrounding the park resounded with new build- Franciscans tended victory gardens in the park
ing as the city’s population moved from the along 9th Avenue. After the war, a golf course
devastated area into the spacious Outside Lands. was added to the park landscape, as was a lodge
In 1910, voters approved a proposal to move the annex building to house administrative opera-
California Academy of Sciences from its earth- tions of an expanding Recreation and Park
quake wrecked downtown quarters into the park. Department.
In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-
Pacific International Exposition to celebrate the In the tumult of the 1960's, parks emerged as
opening of the Panama Canal and the city’s peaceful neutral terrain in troubled urban
recovery from the earthquake. Groundbreaking America. Golden Gate Park became San
ceremonies were held October 14, 1911, in the Francisco’s common ground, a gathering place
Polo Field in Golden Gate Park. William and magnet for the counterculture. Flower
Hammond Hall and other concerned citizens, children from Haight-Ashbury communed with
reminded of the impact of the MidWinter Fair on nature on “hippie hill” and attended rock con-
park lands, thwarted initial plans to host another certs and events held in the park and panhandle.
grand exposition in the western portion of Golden Parks became valued as open space; versatile,
Gate Park. undeveloped lands which invited the public to
experience an expanding variety of athletic and
Several new facilities were added to the park in cultural activities. During the decade, a growing
the 1920's, including Kezar Stadium and pavilion, awareness of our national cultural heritage also
Willis Polk’s Beach Chalet, the Shakespeare resulted in historic landmark recognition for
Garden, and expansion of the Academy of pioneer urban parks, and initiatives to rehabili-
Sciences with the addition of the North American tate historic park buildings and features.
Hall and Steinhart Aquarium.
The last two decades have brought renewal to
The 1930's brought an increased acceptance of old Golden Gate Park attractions: rededication
parks and recreation as a necessity of modern life of the children’s playground, restoration of the

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Historical Development Maps

The maps on the following pages trace the The spans of years for the maps were selected to show major periods of park
development of Golden Gate Park. The infor- development.
mation was compiled from many sources,
including Annual Reports to the Commission, 1870-1889 Initial development and early years
newspaper accounts, various historical park 1890-1899 Mid Winter Fair and related development
maps, Coast and Geodetic Survey (USGS 1900-1909 Early impact of automobile and post-earthquake development
predecessor) maps, and photographs. Much of 1910-1929 Development of museums and recreation facilities
the information that is available is sketchy. 1930-1939 Depression-era public works projects (WPA, etc.)
There are few construction plans for the park, 1940-Present Post-war development and modern period
particularly for the early work. Most of the
work was done from direction given in the field
from William Hammond Hall and John
McLaren. The sources that are available provide
information about roads, buildings, and other
park facilities. There is very little information
on the landscape itself. The annual reports
provide numbers and species planted but little
else. William Hammond Hall was a prolific
writer, and has left a good, descriptive written
record. Writings by John McLaren are relatively
scarce by comparison. The 1935 aerial photo-
graph contained in this report is the earliest
complete record of the park landscape.

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 Park History

Powell Street Railway Station 1889

Casino 1881 (removed 1896)
Music Stand 1882-1888
Conservatory 1878
Life Saving Station 1878 Strawberry Hill
Reservoir Conservatory Valley & Lawn 1872
Park & Ocean Railroad streetcar line 1883 ca. 1885 North Ridge Road 1873
Avenue Drive 1872

Superintendent's Lodge 1874-1896

Alvord Lake 1882
Alvord Bridge 1889

Park & Ocean Railroad streetcar line 1883

Speed Road begun 1888
(completed 1894, removed 1907) Children's Quarters
- Playground 1888
West end sand reclamation begun 1873 - Sharon Building 1888
- Carousel 1889
Music Stand 1888-1894
Other Events Deer Glen 1889
1870 - Survey of land by William Hammond Hall Water Works 1884
1871 - East end fenced
1871 - Nursery and greenhouse on present lodge site
1871 - William Hammond Hall appointed Engineer of the Park
1874 - Four rustic shelters constructed in northeastern park
(designed by Anton Gerster)
1886 - Frederick Law Olmsted visits Golden Gate Park
1887 - John McLaren appointed Assistant Superintendent

Scale in feet
The Development of Golden Gate Park
North 0 500 1000 2000 1870-1889

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 G OLDEN G ATE P ARK M ASTER P LAN

deYoung Museum 1894

Japanese Tea Garden 1894 (original building)
(from Mid Winter Fair)
Stow Lake Drive 1895 Music Concourse developed as
part of Mid Winter Fair 1894
Sweeney Observatory 1891 Rebuilt 1896
(destroyed 1906 earthquake) Bison Paddock 1890
First Stow Lake Boathouse 1893 Aviary 1892
Prayer Book Cross 1894 Suspension Bridge 1891
(replaced by tunnel ca. 1894)
Lloyd Lake 1892 Arizona Garden 1894
Chain of Lakes 1898
Bicycle Road 1896 Peacock Meadow 1895
(parallels Main Drive)
McLaren Lodge 1896

Streetcar line relocated

Nursery relocated 1894

South Drive completed to beach 1890-95
Recreation Grounds (baseball) 1893
Middle Drive 1890 Outlet to 9th Avenue 1892
Reservoir at Water Works 1895
Stow Lake and Huntington Falls 1893

Other Events
1890 - John McLaren appointed Superintendent
1894 - Mid Winter Fair
1896 - Casino Removed
1899 - Park placed under jurisdiction of City
rather than State Legislature

Scale in feet
The Development of Golden Gate Park
North 0 500 1000 2000 1890-1899
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 Park History

Dog Training Field 1905

Petanque 1907 Spreckles Temple of Music 1900
First Model Yacht Club 1909
Music Concourse completed 1900
Spreckels Lake 1904
Brown Gate (8th Avenue) 1908
Lindley Meadow 1902 Quarry Lake 1902
Gjoa 1909
(returned to Marx Meadow 1907 DeLaveaga Dell 1902
Norway 1960's)
Speedway Meadow 1907 Stone wall around NE corner 1902
North Windmill 1902
Cottage 1909 Portals of the Past 1909

Tennis Courts 1901

Emergency Aid Station 1902

Mallard Lake 1909

Lawn Bowling 1901
Metson Lake 1906 First Clubhouse 1902
Stadium (Polo Field) 1906-07 Handball Court 1902
Bison Paddock relocated 1900 19th Avenue entrance 1902
North Lake Road 1902

Murphy's Windmill 1905

Millwright's House 1909

Other Events
1901 - First automobile permit
1906 - San Francisco Earthquake
1907 - Speed Road removed
Scale in feet
The Development of Golden Gate Park
North 0 500 1000 2000 1900-1909

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Pioneer Log Cabin 1911

deYoung Museum (existing building) 1917
Hearst Fountain 1927
Arguello Gate 1914
Camellia Garden 1920
Beach Chalet 1925 Horseshoe Courts 1922
Masonic Avenue
1921

Tennis Clubhouse 1917

Park Police Station ca. 1910
Kezar Pavilion 1924

Kezar Stadium 1924

Breon Gate (19th Avenue) 1924 Second Bowling Green 1913

Lawn Bowling Clubhouse 1915
Third Bowling Green 1928
Nursery to present site 1924
California Academy of Sciences 1916
- North American Hall 1916
- Steinhart Aquarium 1923

Shakespeare Garden 1928

Scale in feet
The Development of Golden Gate Park
North 0 500 1000 2000 1910-1929

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 Park History

Marx Meadow Drive 1936

Crossover Drive 1936
Police Academy 1932
Rainbow Falls 1930
Model Yacht Club 1938 Park Presidio Bypass 1939 Tree ferns 1939

Police Stables 1936 Redwood Memorial Grove

Beach Chalet murals 1936 1930 Conservatory Valley redesigned 1939

Archery Field 1938 Equestrian Center Heroes Grove 1939 Dahlia Garden 1939

1939
Horseshoe Courts enlarged
1934

Tennis Clubhouse 1939

Handball Courts rebuilt 1937

Angler's Lodge and African Hall 1934

Flycasting Pools 1936
Strybing Arboretum developed 1937
Richmond Sunset Sewage Treatment Plant 1937 George Washington Bicentennial Grove 1939
Elk Glen Lake (after 1935?)
McQueens Water Reclamation Plant 1932

Other Events
1930's - Works Progress Administration and other federal programs
1930's - Aviary removed

Scale in feet
The Development of Golden Gate Park
North 0 500 1000 2000 1930-1939

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G OLDEN G ATE P ARK M ASTER P LAN

Stow Lake Boat House rebuilt 1946

Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden 1962 Redwood Memorial Grove 1948
Rose Garden 1961
Golf Course 1951
Asian Art Museum 1969
Chain of Lakes Drive West removed 1986 Rhododendron Dell 1942
6th Avenue pedestrian entrance and skating area 1987
Senior Center 1980
AIDS Memorial Grove 1994
Road Marx Meadow
removed Drive removed Fuchsia Garden 1940
1986 1982

Lodge Annex 1950

Kezar Stadium rebuilt 1990

Existing Tennis Clubhouse 1950

Sewage Treatment Plant removed 1996
McQueens Plant deactivated 1982 Morrison Planetarium 1951
Victory Garden 1942
Overlook Drive closed to vehicles 1982
County Fair Building 1961
Chinese Pavilion 1981
Other Events Huntington Falls reconstructed 1984
1969 - JFK Drive Sunday closure (collapsed 1962)
1979 - Objectives and Policies for park adopted
1980 - Reforestation program started
1981 - Marx Meadow Drive removed
1981 - 6th Avenue entrance closed to vehicles
1985 - Transportation Management Plan adopted
1993 - Sunset Richmond Sewage Plant closed

Scale in feet
The Development of Golden Gate Park
North 0 500 1000 2000 1940-1998
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 Park History

Golden Gate Park Chronology

1870 Park Commission’s first meeting (May 3) 1882 McEwen appointed Superintendent of the Park (July )
1870 Hall, William Hammond, awarded survey contract (August) 1882 Music Stand first located in Conservatory Valley, west side
1870 Greenhouse established on present lodge site 1882 Office of Superintendent declared vacant due to deficiency in the
1871 East end fenced appropriation
1871 Nursery established on present lodge site 1882 Park band gives first of continuous performances
1871 Panhandle graded, plantings 1883 Streetcar built across southeast corner, out Lincoln and north across
1871 Quarry opened in park west end of park
1871 South Drive contract spec. prepared 1883 Conservatory burned
1871-76 Hall appointed engineer of the park (August) 1884 Planned Strawberry Valley Water Works and Strawberry Hill Reservoir
1872 Avenue Drive, North Ridge Rd. and portions of Main Dr. in trimmed 1884 Water Works constructed
and rolled 1885 Recreation ground for ball players (Big Rec) discussion at Commis-
1872 Conservatory Valley grading completed, 20,000 trees set out sion, developed 1893
1872 Main Drive entrance complete 1885 Water Works Pumping Plant finished
1872 Nursery Valley graded, shaped, and covered with rich soil 1886 Park and Ocean Railroad Line lease granted. Opened 1893
1872 Park lodge, stable and engine houses authorized 1886 Well drilled, southeast base of Strawberry Hill.
1872 Planting experiments 1886 Frederick Law Olmsted visits park
1873 Hall started sand reclamation on west end 1887 Sharon Building plans accepted (Percy & Hamilton)
1873 North Ridge Road constructed 1887-90 John McLaren appointed Assistant Superintendent. McLaren signed
1873 Spring Valley water used, 100,000 gallons daily Superintendent’s report of 1889.
1874 Bell tower constructed 1888 Children’s playground dedicated
1874 Northeast corner named Mt. Lick (orig. Plateau Hill, by Hall) 1888 Elk given to park
1874 Rustic shelters (4) constructed northeast portion of park, designed by 1888 Hall Report to Commission
Anton Gerster 1888 Music Stand #2 dedication on site of present tennis courts
1874 Superintendent’s Lodge constructed opposite of present McLaren 1888 Speed Road started
Lodge site 1889 Alvord Bridge - first reinforced concrete bridge (Ransome Concrete)
1874 Tank house and cottage built by Chain of Lakes constructed. Lake enlarged
1875 Artesian well contract 1889 Deer Glen located on site of Delaveaga Dell
1876 Eastern portion brought under cultivation 1889 First carousel constructed
1876-81 Prichard as Superintendent, designed Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill 1890 Aviary constructed
Reservoir, submitted resignation in March 1881 1890 Buffalo purchased by Park Commission
1877 Conservatory purchased from Lick Estate 1890 Casino moved south to knoll overlooking Main Drive, 2nd story added
1877 Well boring experiments 1890 Middle Drive constructed (overlook, middle, south)
1878 Conservatory constructed 1890 Sharon Building completed
1878 Life saving station constructed at Ocean Beach 1890 South Drive construction completed to beach
1879 South Drive: section completed 1890 Stable constructed behind Tank House
1881 Archery Club requests privileges 1890-1943 John McLaren Superintendent
1881 Casino constructed 1891 Suspension bridge from Favorite Point to Music Ground (present day
1881 Hennessey appointed Acting Superintendent of Parks (May) tennis courts) construction contract awarded to J.A. Roeblings and Sons
1882 Alvord Lake constructed (builders of the Brooklyn Bridge)

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G OLDEN G ATE P ARK M ASTER P LAN

1891 Sweeney Observatory dedicated (Percy and Hamilton) 1899 Park now under jurisdiction of City rather than State Legislature
1892 Ball Thrower by Douglas Tilden 1900 Buffalo move to present location
1892 Lloyd Lake constructed 1900 Music Concourse completed
1892 New Aviary constructed, remained until 1930s 1900 Spreckels Temple of Music dedicated
1892 Pumping Station 1901 First auto permit issued to Stow Lake concessionaire
1892 Rose Garden laid out on site of present Park Lodge 1901 Tennis courts situated at present site
1893 Huntington Falls under construction 1901 Lawn Bowling Club established
1893-94 Midwinter Fair 1902 Handball court constructed
1893 Japanese Tea Garden developed as part of Midwinter Fair 1902 Aquarium proposed
1893 Recreation Valley developed (Big Rec) 1902 Bridle path completed to beach
1893 Stow Lake Boathouse planned, constructed (?) 1902 DeLaveaga Dell (Old Deer Glen) undergoing improvements
1893 Stow Lake completed, walk constructed 1902 Elk Grove Meadow laid out south of Strawberry Hill
1893 Wells sunk in Water Works 1902 Flower calendar prepared, planted in park
1894 Arizona Garden 1902 Handball courts constructed at Recreation Grounds (Big Rec)
1894 Liberty Tree planted by Conservatory 1902 First Lawn Bowling Clubhouse designed
1894 Monarch (bear) exhibit established 1902 Herd of Spotted Deer introduced into Lindley Meadow
1894 Prayer Book Cross unveiled 1902 Native wildflowers sown along borders
1894 Tunnel from tennis courts to Conservatory replaced suspension bridge 1902 Nineteenth Avenue entrance constructed in response to residents’
1895 Beach House west of highway petition, double “V”-shaped banks sloped, planted with Mesembryan-
1895 deYoung Museum started as holdover from Midwinter Fair themums and Red Top Clover
1895 Fence constructed from 3rd Ave. to 25th Ave. (picket, with barbed 1902 North Dutch Windmill constructed
wire), and Fulton St. from 6th Ave. to Stanyan St. planted with trees 1902 North Lake Road constructed
1895 Footpath constructed north of Main Drive, running parallel to it 1902 One-mile portion of Bicycle Path constructed
1895 Forest, 500 acres planted between 1985-’95, west of 24th Ave. 1902 Park Emergency Aid Station built
1895 Main Drive widened 1902 Quarry Lake designed
1895 Peacock Meadow 1902 Reservoir constructed by North Mill, close to Life Saving Station
1895 Reservoir constructed at Water Works 1902 Salt Water Pond east of railway embarkment proposed
1895 Rockery, south of tunnel leading to Conservatory Valley 1902 Sediment from Mt. Lake Park used to fertilize eastern park
1895 South Drive extended from Strawberry Hill to 40th Avenue 1902 Stone wall built along the line of Fulton Street
1895 Stow Lake drive completed 1902 Tennis courts built on site of old music grounds
1896 Bicycle Road constructed, running from Boom Point west for one mile 1902 Tunnels constructed from Music Concourse under Main Drive
and paralleling Main Drive 1903 Justice Monument at the east end of Panhandle
1896 Casino removed 1904 Spreckels Lake completed
1896 Centennial Trees (historic tree lane) 1905 South Windmill (Murphy's Mill) constructed
1896 McLaren Lodge constructed (E.R. Swain) 1905 Dog Training Field
1896 Nursery moved to present Kezar site 1906 Earthquake refugees camped in park, Sweeny Observatory destroyed,
1897 Bridle Road started at Strawberry Hill, running to ocean Sharon Building damaged
1897 Concrete bridge constructed on Main Drive 1906 Golden Gate Park Stadium (Polo Field) dedicated
1897 Police station and emergency hospital located on site of Casino 1906 Metson Lake
1898 Chain of Lakes constructed 1907 Marx Meadow

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 Park History

1907 Petanque Field 1930 Redwood Memorial Grove and Doughboy Meadow
1907 Speed Road removed 1932 McQueen’s Water Reclamation Plant
1907 Polo Field constructed 1932 Police Academy constructed
1907 Speedway Meadow 1934 Conservatory Valley rehabilitated
1909 Bridge at east end of Stow Lake constructed (Roman Bridge) 1934 Simson African Hall constructed at the Academy of Sciences
1909 Dutch Windmill Cottage constructed 1935 Arboretum plans initiated
1909 “Gjoa,” Roald Amundsen’s northwest passage boat, installed on Great 1936 Angler’s Lodge and Fly Casting Pool
Highway (returned to Norway in 1960s) 1936 Breon Gate planned, 19th Avenue and Lincoln Way
1909 Great Highway, Main Drive, and South Drive oiled and repaired 1936 Beach Chalet murals
1909 Mallard Lake (Hobo Lake), natural fresh water pond 1936 Police Stables constructed
1909 Middle Drive constructed 1936 Panhandle resurfaced
1909 Model Yacht Clubhouse constructed near Spreckels Lake 1936 Meadow improvements
1909 Moose brought in west of Children’s Quarters, near deer and kangaroos 1936 Crossover Drive and Marx Meadow Drive built
1909 Portals of the Past 1936 Park Emergency Hospital upgraded
1909 Transverse Drive constructed, Stow Lake Drive widened 1937 Handball Courts reconstructed
1910 Polo Field grandstand for 100,000 construction initiated but never 1937 Richmond Sunset Sewage Treatment Plant
completed 1937 Strybing Arboretum developed
1911 Pioneer Log Cabin 1938 Archery Field irrigation planned, installed
1913 Bowling Green #2 constructed 1938 Horseshoe Courts shelter constructed
1914-15 Arguello Gate entrance, Clarke Pillars (Bliss & Faville) 1938 Bowling Green road realigned
1915 Tennis courts added 1938 Marconi bench and plaque (19th Avenue and Lincoln)
1915 Lawn Bowling Clubhouse built 1938 Present Model Yacht Club constructed
1916 California Academy of Sciences constructed 1938 Arboretum construction
1917 Tennis Clubhouse 1939 Australian Tree Fern Dell
1920 Camellia Garden 1939 Chalet Field Training Quarters and Convenience Station
1922 Horseshoe Courts constructed 1939 Conservatory Valley redesigned
1923 Steinhart Aquarium 1939 Dahlia Garden
1924 Bear Pit by Middle Dr. next to Bison Paddock (end of Delaveaga Dell) 1939 George Washington Bicentennial Grove
1924 Kezar Stadium/Pavilion (Willis Polk) contained tennis and handball 1939 Golden Gate Equestrian Center constructed
courts, east of stadium, opened November 11 1939 Heroes Grove
1924 McLaren Lake at western end proposed but never constructed 1939 Park Presidio Bypass constructed
1924 North American Hall built at Academy of Sciences 1939 Sheep Sheds near Golden Gate Park Stadium
1924 Nursery moved to present site 1939 Tennis Clubhouse constructed
1925 Beach Chalet constructed (Willis Polk) 1940 Fuchsia Garden
1927 Bowles collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons planted in Peacock 1940 Panhandle irrigation
Meadow 1942 Rhododendron Dell started
1927 Hearst Fountain, Music Concourse 1942 Victory Garden, 19th Avenue and South Drive
1928 Shakespeare Garden developed 1944 Arguello Entrance stairway built
1928 Third lawn bowling green constructed 1946 Stow Lake Boathouse rebuilt
1930 Rainbow Falls, gift of Herbert Fleishhacker 1948 Native Sons Grove Plot Plan

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1949 Pitch and Putt Golf Course, as installed Map #15726.1 1984 Mother’s Meadow Playground rehabilitation
1949 Redwood Memorial Grove landscaping, 15723.1 Planting Plan 1985 Stow Lake shoreline rehabilitation
1950 Lodge Annex constructed 1985 Transportation Management Plan adopted
1950 Old Speedway Convenience Station built 1985 Kezar Corner Master Plan formulated
1950 Tennis Courts, Building 1985 Alvord Lake Well constructed
1951 Morrison Planetarium constructed at Academy of Sciences 1985 Beach Chalet Renovation Plans approved
1951 Pitch and Putt Building remodeled 1985 Bamboo Garden established with Fuhrman Bequest funds
1958 Handball Courts redesigned 1985 Palm Garden established with Fuhrman Bequest funds
1959 Bercut Equitation Field name applied to Horseman’s Retreat 1986 Lincoln Way and 46th Avenue Play Area rehabilitation
1961 Hall of Flowers (renamed County Fair Building in 1980's) 1986 4th Avenue and Fulton Street Rustic Shelter reconstruction
1961 Rose Garden developed on site of closed road 1986 Dressage Ring enlarged to 66’x198'
1962 Huntington Falls collapses 1986 Strybing Arboretum new entrance gate
1962 Queen Wilhelmena Tulip Garden dedication 1986 Tour bus lot walkway conceptually approved
1969 Sunday closure 1986 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive approved
1969 Asian Art Museum 1987 6th Ave. redesign approved
1969 Helen Crocker Russell Library 1987 Soccer Field at Beach Chalet expansion, irrigation, and restroom
1978 Children’s Playground rededicated - Mary B. Connolly rehabilitation plan approved
1979 Objectives/Policies adopted for Golden Gate Park 1988 Kezar/JFK drives pedestrian-activated signalized crossing approved
1980 Dressage Ring constructed west of Bercut Field 1988 Nursery greenhouse improvement addition
1980 Senior Center opened, remodeled Police Academy 1988 Children’s playground handicapped access improvement and play-
1980 Reforestation Program started ground rehabilitation
1980 Music Concourse renovated 1988 MLK Dr./Transverse Dr. intersection installation of stop signs
1981 Chinese Pavilion (Golden Gate Pavilion) - gift from Taipei 1989 MLK Drive at Ninth Avenue installation of stop sign
1981 Marx Meadow Drive closed to automobiles 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Spreckels Temple of Music damaged
1981 Overlook Drive closed to automobiles 1990 Kezar Stadium reconstructed
1981 Senior Sitting Area at 6th Ave. and Kennedy Drive constructed 1992 Golden Gate Park Infrastructure Bond passed by voters
1981 Sixth Ave. entrance closed to automobiles on a temporary basis 1992 Work began on Golden Gate Park Master Plan
1981 Tenth Ave. and Kennedy Drive Children’s Play Area constructed 1993 Richmond Sunset Treatment Plan closed
1981 Dutch Windmill restored 1994 Centennial of Midwinter Fair, reconstruction of Spreckels Temple of
1982 Marx Meadow Drive landscaped Music completed
1983 West end barrier completed 1994 AIDS Memorial Grove
1983 Chain of Lakes rehabilitation 1996 Richmond Sunset Treatment Plant demolished
1983 South Drive renamed Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive 1996 Beach Chalet reopens with restaurant and visitor center
1983 Automatic irrigation systems at Conservatory Valley, Arboretum, Big 1998 Haight Street/Stanyan Street entry reconstructed
Rec, Beach Chalet 1998 Golden Gate Park Master Plan adopted
1984 Huntington Falls reconstructed
1984 Sharon Building restored
1984 Carousel restoration completed
1984 Irrigation improvements at Elk Glen Well, Alvord Lake Well, Bison
Paddock irrigation

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