Admission Day Monument

Admission Day Monument

The Admission Day Monument in 2013
Coordinates 37°47′21″N 122°24′07″W / 37.78909°N 122.40184°W / 37.78909; -122.40184Coordinates: 37°47′21″N 122°24′07″W / 37.78909°N 122.40184°W / 37.78909; -122.40184
Location Market Street and Montgomery Street in San Francisco, California, United States
Designer Douglas Tilden
Type sculpture
Completion date 1897

The Admission Day Monument is an 1897 sculpture by Douglas Tilden, located at the intersection of Market Street and Montgomery Street in San Francisco, California, United States.[1] It commemorates California Admission Day (September 9, 1850), the date on which the state became part of the Union, following the Mexican-American war of 1848.[1]

The sculpture depicts a miner who is waving an American flag and carrying a gun.[2] Above him - on the column - stands an angel (modeled after the sculptor's wife) that blesses the union, holding a book with the admission date on the cover.[2][1] The column and base were designed by Willis Polk.[1] Inscribed is a quote from a speech by William H. Seward in the US Senate on March 11, 1850, arguing for the admission of California: "The perpetual unity of the Empire hangs on the decision of this day."[3][2] The quote has been characterized as imperialistic.[2]

Other names for the sculpture include Admission Day,[4] the Admission Day Fountain,[1] the California Admissions Day Monument,[5] Native Son Monument,[1] Native Sons' Monument[2] and Native Sons Monument.

The work was commissioned by Mayor James D. Phelan, who paid for the costs himself. It was unveiled on September 5, 1897[6] at Market, Turk and Mason Streets, dedicated to the Native Sons of the Golden West.[7] In 1948 it was moved to Golden Gate Park, and in 1977 returned to Market Street at its present location, on the initiative of the Native Sons.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kaprielian, Ulla. "Douglas Tilden". Guidelines. San Francisco City Guides. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Cerny, Susan Dinkelspiel (2017-05-03). An Architectural Guidebook to San Francisco and the Bay Area. Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781586854324.
  3. ↑ Seward, William Henry (1850-01-01). Speech of William H. Seward, on the admission of California : delivered in the Senate of the United States, March 11, 1850. Washington : Printed and for sale by Buell & Blanchard.
  4. ↑ Jones, Noa. "Douglas Tilden: Monument Sculptor". FoundSF. Shaping San Francisco. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  5. ↑ Zamora, Jim Herron (September 6, 2007). "Results: Day 126: S.F. homecoming for bronze octopus". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Hidden Treasures". Market Street Association. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  7. ↑ Historic Spots in California. 2002. pp. 358. ISBN 9780804778176.
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