Coit Tower

Coit Tower is a notable landmark dedicated to the San Francisco, California firefighters.

This art deco 210-foot (64-meter) unpainted reinforced concrete tower was dedicated in 1933. It was built with funds bequeathed by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, widow of a wealthy financier, by Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Howard with murals by Victor Arnautoff and a score of other artists. While most of the murals have been restored, a small segment (the spiral stairway exit to the observation platform) was not restored but durably painted over with epoxy surfacing. These murals in particular contained very "leftist" political and social themes related to the great depression and socialist political movements. Unfortunately the murals have been severely vandalized to the point of almost being erased. Most of the murals are open for public viewing without charge during open hours. The murals in the spiral stairway, however, are generally closed to the public. San Francisco City Guides provides free walking tours which give access to these murals on a regular basis.