Lotta's Fountain

Lotta Crabtree Fountain
Location Market, Geary, and Kearny Sts., San Francisco, California
Coordinates 37°47′17″N 122°24′13″W / 37.78806°N 122.40361°W / 37.78806; -122.40361Coordinates: 37°47′17″N 122°24′13″W / 37.78806°N 122.40361°W / 37.78806; -122.40361
Area 0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
Built 1875
NRHP reference # 75000475[1]
SFDL # 73
Significant dates
Added to NRHP June 20, 1975
Designated SFDL 1975[2]

Lotta's fountain is a historical fountain located at the intersection of Market Street, where Geary and Kearny Streets connect in downtown San Francisco, California. It was commissioned by actress Lotta Crabtree in 1875 as a gift to the city of San Francisco, and would serve as a significant meeting point in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

History

Lotta's Fountain in 1905, looking east along Market Street, the San Francisco Ferry Building's clock tower in the distance.

The cast-iron fountain, commission by actress Lotta Crabtree as a gift to the city of San Francisco, was dedicated September 9, 1875.[3] During its centennial it designated both a San Francisco Designated Landmarks and the U.S National Historic Places.

A plaque commemorates its role as a meeting point in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Another plaque mentions legendary opera soprano Luisa Tetrazzini, who sang for the people of San Francisco at the fountain on Christmas Eve, 1910. The bronze column was added in 1916 to match the height of new lights being installed along Market Street.

It was relocated from its original location at 3rd, Market and Kearny in 1974 during the renovation of Market Street. In 1999 the fountain, neglected, was totally refurbished to its 1875 appearance, repainted a metallic gold-brown. Its lion's-head spigots flow during daytime hours.

In 1919, a commemoration of the earthquake was started that still occurs annually. The South of Market Boys, a fraternal drinking organization, hung a wreath on the fountain. Since then, survivors of the earthquake gathered every year at 5:12 a.m. on April 18 at the intersection. After the 2015 anniversary, the last two survivors of the earthquake died. In 2016, the tradition continued as more than 200 participants, many in period costuming, gathered to commemorate all victims of the earthquake and to draw attention to earthquake preparedness.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ "City of San Francisco Designated Landmarks". City of San Francisco. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Lotta's Fountain, (sculpture)". Save Outdoor Sculpture, California, San Francisco survey. 1994. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  4. ↑ http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Last-known-survivor-of-1906-S-F-earthquake-dies-6751833.php
  5. ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/12/462771935/last-known-survivor-of-1906-san-francisco-earthquake-has-died

Sources

  • O'Brien, Robert This is San Francisco Chronicle Books 1994, reprint from 1948
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