Golden Gate Park And The Historic Murphy Windmill

August 20, 2013

The Murphy Windmill, along with the Dutch Windmill, stand at the west end of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Prior to their construction in 1905 and 1903 respectively, the city watered the park via the Spring Valley Water Co. with up to 100,000 gallons per day. Many were uncertain a park could rise from the area once part of the great Sand Bank and few believed fresh water could be pumped near the ocean. The Dutch Windmill pumped and watered 77 acres of the park. The Murphy Windmill filled the reservoir at Strawberry Hill with the overflow channeled to Spreckles Lake. The Murphy Windmill and Dutch Windmill no longer pump water but stand as lasting icons connecting San Francisco’s inspired past and shinning future.