By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | June 28, 2022 | Travel & Recreation, Neighborhoods, Local, Community,
Perhaps one of the most magical sites in San Francisco are the Windmills of Golden Gate Park, peeking just over the park’s lush canopy to invite you to their field of colorful tulips decorating their bases.
Many flock to this western end of the park just across from Ocean Beach’s Park Chalet to appreciate their beauty, reflect within the field, and to take photos that attempt to capture the entirety of its immensely striking facade, which holds even more fascinating origins.
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First built in 1902 and 1908 by astute architect Alpheus Bull, Jr., these two windmills were established to pump fresh water to irrigate Golden Gate Park and its artificial ponds so that it would flourish from what was an otherwise barren landscape of massive sand dunes.
The Spring Valley Water Company was the only one of its kind in this period, and when they notoriously overcharged the city for their assistance, park officials discovered natural aquifers below sporadic areas of the park.
Inspired by the beauty of traditional Dutch-style windmills in Holland, it was a breeze to actualize, considering Ocean Beach’s natural sea winds that could easily generate the windmills’ oversized 102 foot-wide sails to pump the water from.
As electric pumps became more popular in 1913, the two structures, also known as the North and the Murphy Windmills, fell out of commission just five years after completion, despite the latter being the largest of its kind worldwide at the time at a tremendous 75 feet.
While the both windmills sat untouched and stagnant since then, the remarkably vibrant Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden was established on its grounds, restoring the neglected area cosmetically and revitalizing foot traffic to this area for tourists.
Additional comprehensive repairs to the windmills have happened, with the Dutch Windmill back in operation in July 2009, and the Murphy in ameliorated conditions since 2012.
Today the monuments will turn in exclusive special events such as Outside Lands or Bay to Breakers, and continue to sit as symbolic tributes to San Francisco’s ingenuity and dedication to transforming the park to a viable community space.
You can find the two distinguished landmarks, along with the heritage garden, near 48th Avenue & Fulton Street, which makes for a great photo worthy spot after a filling lunch with a view at the Park Chalet or at Ocean Beach’s bonfires!
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Photography by: Kyle Glenn/Unsplash