Historic Telegraph Hill And Coit Tower
San Francisco was born in the shadow of Telegraph Hill. The City’s earliest citizens climbed and built on “The Hill” for the stunning 360 degree view. In 1850, the first of several signal stations was erected on its crest to identify ships sailing through the Golden Gate. In 1884, long-past its signal career, an elaborate four-floor Victorian resort, The Telegraph Hill Observatory was built. Visitors reached the Observatory by cable car on Greenwich Street, sometimes at a nearly 30 degree grade.
At about the same time, and into the early 20th century, Telegraph Hill was the target of legal and illegal rock quarrying operations that nearly destroyed it. Since 1933, 210′ (64m) Coit Tower in Pioneer Park has topped the 236′ Hill and given viewers an unparalleled look at San Francisco. The excited Parrots of Telegraph Hill flying in out and over the trees add amazing color and sound to Lillie Hitchcock Coit’s 1929 bequest to beautify the city she loved.
Along with views, Coit Tower’s historic mural-covered interior tells the story of 1934 Depression Era California, rich and poor, city and country, industry and agriculture, recreation and home life. Coit Tower’s new concessionaire has uniquely tied past and present together with niche outlets for some of North Beach’s oldest and finest stores including City Lights Books, Goren Bros. Hats, One Telegraph Hill, and Schein and Schein “The Coolest Store In Town”, offers San Francisco Tim’s History Tour Maps.