As an iconic San Francisco landmark, Coit Tower offers history, art and outstanding panoramic views. The murals inside Coit Tower are some of the best in this mural-rich city.
The first floor, stairwell, and second floor of Coit Tower feature murals telling stories about California and San Francisco in the late 1920s and 1930s.
Completed in 1934, the murals were funded by the New Deal Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) in the middle of the Great Depression. Twenty-seven murals in the American Social Realism style, done by 44 artists and assistants.
It was the first and largest project sponsored by the New Deal and influenced other New Deal art across the country. See map at end. Many of the most important Bay Area artists of the time were hired to create the artwork.
Coit Tower, a national historic landmark, was built in 1932-1933 and is an Art Deco 210-foot (64 m) tower erected as a tribute to the volunteer firemen who had died in San Francisco’s five major fires.
More info:
Coit Tower Wikipedia, including a detailed layout and description of each mural.
Most of the murals are very large. This photo, below, from “City Life” by Victor Arnautoff is only a segment of the 10′ x 36′ art piece.
Arnautoff was the supervisor of the mural project and, with another prominent muralist, Bernard Zakheim, successfully sought the New Deal commission.
The murals beautifully represent the passion of the artists and the life of the times. Themes include socialism, various industries, working people, classism, the Depression, California history, farming and agriculture, streets of San Francisco, recreation and more.
In short: life in California in 1934.
Several of the Bay Area artists who painted these murals had studied under painter Diego Rivera at his Mexico City studio and had leftist and Marxist leanings.
The finished murals at the time were so controversial that the official opening was delayed for several months until a few things were removed from the art, primarily a hammer and sickle.
The “Industries of California” mural, below, was done by Ralph Stackpole, a leading San Francisco artist of the time dedicated to drawing attention, through art, to the socio-political conditions of the working class.
“Banking and Law” by George Albert Harris depicts the Federal Reserve Bank, Stock Exchange, and a law library, below.
There were four women artists who worked on the Coit Tower murals. Maxine Albro painted the “California” mural, displayed in the two photos immediately below.
This large fresco is 10′ x 36′ and depicts a variety of California agricultural harvest scenes. Crops include hay, flower, oranges, apricots, almonds and grapes.
This mural is my favorite for its cheerful, productive, colorful nature.
This 10′ x 27′ fresco, below, “California Agricultural Industry” was painted by Gordon Langdon and Helen Clement.
Although the rotunda murals are open and free to the public, observing the stairwell murals usually requires a docent-led tour with a fee.
But when we visited earlier this month, the elevator was out of order and visitors had to walk the 234 steps to the top.
This gave us the dazzling opportunity to see the stairwell murals, which I had never seen. We also got some exercise.
This stairwell mural, below, called “Powell Street” by Lucien Labaudt, was painstakingly painted on both sides of the narrow, steep, spiral staircase and integrates the incline of the steps with the scene. It is the largest mural here, with two panels, each one 6′ x 32′.
“Collegiate Sports” painted by Parker Hall (below) is a 9′ x 13′ fresco located on the second floor of Coit Tower and includes many sports, a few featuring women.
In 2013 Coit Tower was closed to the public for renovations. The murals underwent an extensive six-month art restoration repairing scratches and water damage; the building underwent structural changes. The $1.7 billion renovation was sponsored by a citizens’ coalition proposition and voted in by residents.
It re-opened in May 2014.
The murals offer a palpable look into life during the Great Depression when economic hardship, high unemployment, widespread business failure and deep despair gripped the nation and the world.
While the murals are, in my opinion, the most remarkable aspect of Coit Tower, the incredible 360-degree views at the top are also truly splendid.
Both bridges can be seen from this perch in the sky. The Golden Gate Bridge, below, and the Bay Bridge, below that.
This photo, below, shows the new waterfront Ferris wheel at Fisherman’s Wharf, and also Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Bay. It was 10:30 am and morning fog was still dissipating.
Below you can see another popular San Francisco landmark in the center of the photo. Lombard Street also known as “the crookedest street in the world.”
A visit to the past, a bonanza of art, or a birds-eye view of the present–it’s all here at Coit Tower.
Written by Jet Eliot.
Photos by Athena Alexander.
Courtesy Wikipedia.
Jet Eliot 
Fantastic mural art! Thanks for posting!
Thank you, cj. I know you have spent your life in art, so your comment means a lot, thank you.
It’s been ages since I last visited Coit Tower. I enjoyed the murals very much while there as well. The images are wonderful and the views outstanding!
I didn’t realize they too jumped on the “let’s put in a ferries wheel at the Pier” as well.
I have mixed feelings about that.
I’m heading to the Cleveland area this year I’m going to look up their public mural project and see if I can fit it in my agenda.
I’m glad you have visited the murals at Coit Tower, and enjoyed them, Deborah. And I’m delighted that you’ve been inspired to visit the public mural project when you visit Cleveland. Thanks so much for your visit today, always a pleasure.
very interesting structure. I was amazed that 27 murals were done by 44 artist and assistants – so they must work together and share credit.
Yes, it was a huge project and employed many during a time when money was scarce. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Bill, and always appreciate your weekly visits.
What a great day out! It’s quite an uphill trek to get there, and then the elevator is out of order? Yikes! That said, so many excellent reasons to stop, not for a breather but to check out the art – phew!
Amazing murals (the effort, some challenging stairwell locations, talent and imagination) and social history captured in them, plus amazing city views from the top? That’s a sky high day, Jet!
Thanks for putting a smile on my face, pc. It was a great day out, lots of adventures and, as you cleverly say, sky high. I love those murals for all the history and life they express. Cheers to you and Mrs. PC and my warmest thanks.
Thank you for this post! It allows me to look at some sights of San Francisco that I haven’t seen in a long, long time!
I’m happy you enjoyed the post, Hien, and the views of SF. It is a great perch for seeing the whole city. Many thanks for your visit today.
What a great tour, building, and art project. I had no idea about the Coit Tower or murals. Thanks Jet.
Thanks, Brad. I am so very glad I could share this SF landmark and its interesting history with you.
Thank you for this wonderful post… I can see the influence of Diego Rivera – an artist whose work I have always loved. So strong. Although I have spent time in beautiful San Francisco I have never toured Coit Tower…..something for the future. Fascinating to think that these murals were painted in between the two great wars… Fantastic that they have been renovated and are well looked after. Have a great weekend my friend:)
I am happy you enjoyed the Coit Tower murals, and I appreciated your artistic knowledge in Diego Rivera’s influence here. We have several Diego Rivera artworks in SF, so if you ever do come here, I will be happy to take you on a tour. My thanks and big smiles to you.
What a lovely thought to be with you in San Francisco:)
I don’t recall ever hearing about this building before, it’s design and the murals are fantastic! Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend, guys!
I am delighted I could share Coit Tower with you today, John. Thanks so much for stopping by.
You’re welcome, Jet, happy weekend. 🍻😎
You can definitely see Rivera’s influence! What an amazing assortment! Thanks Jet – I haven’t been there in decades!
I’m glad I could share the renovated version of the murals at Coit Tower with you, Jan. For a long time there, before the renovation, it wasn’t in very good shape. It’s definitely worth a visit now as the renovation was superb. But the elevator will probably not be working. Cheers and thanks.
Marvelous capture of life at that time, they did a great job with the restoration. I really like the Ag murals, too. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, they did do a great job with the restoration, didn’t they? Thank you, Eliza. I think the Ag murals appeal to you and me because of our love of plants and gardens. My warmest thanks.
I would love to see those murals someday. Beautiful!
Yes, these murals are worth a visit, Anneli. I, too, hope you can see them someday. Thanks so much.
How wonderful! I will be staying at The Presidio soon. I would love to see these.
It’s a truly great place to go to see the art, Cindy, as well as nice views from the top. Parking is very limited, so if you take an Uber there, then enjoy Coit Tower, and take the Filbert Street steps down, you’ll be on the Embarcadero. An enchanting SF day or half-day. Strong legs required for both stairways. Sending big smiles and thanks.
Fabulous murals Jet and a great viewpoint! Thanks for posting these images. It’s great to travel the world from the comfort of your own home! 😊👍👍
I agree, Mike, so I am really glad I could give you some free travel to San Francisco today, take in the sights. My warmest thanks for your lovely visit today.
now If you could only lean it a tad,It would become even more famous!
They could say all the artists needed their right foot to stand on a piece of wood to paint the murals level.
Fun concept, Wayne. Great to “see” you today, and thanks for giving me a smile.
I had no idea there was such special murals there. Thank you for sharing the art and the era 💐🙏🏻💛
It is really fun to introduce these special murals to you today, Val. I love how they lend such a vivid look at the times. Many thanks, my friend.
That is a very bizarre street, and seems very impractical. I’ve never seen anything like that. I have to say, I think the views would be the highlight for me. I’ve never been to SF but I’ll be sure to add this to my list for a future visit!
I’m glad you enjoyed the San Francisco views, Diana.
I’m thrilled to see these beautiful mural images! I would love to go there in person. I’m sure examining them all closely would yield some surprises.
You’re right, Eilene, closely examining the Coit Tower murals does reveal many surprises. You also get a sense for how large they are. I hope you do get to see them someday. Thanks for your visit, much appreciated.
As many times as I’ve seen Coit Tower, I had no idea there were such murals inside. My first impression was confirmed by your text; similar murals were often included in post offices during that same era. I visited several Arkansas post offices that had them; now you’ve reminded me that at least one local post office is said to have a similar mural. I was going to visit, but you know how those things go. Now, reminded — I’ll make time for it. A wonderful, wonderful post; thank you!
I really appreciate your kind words and interest in the Coit Tower murals, Linda. They really are extraordinary, especially in person. And you’re right, select post offices had them, too. There is a post office in SF called Rincon that also has beautiful murals from that era, as well as a public building at Ocean Beach. I hope your local p.o. visit is fun. Cheers, my friend.
That’s a wonderful bit of community experience. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I’m glad you enjoyed the Coit Tower murals, Craig. Thanks very much for your visit.
What an interesting post – that the New Deal also made provision for artists, and with such fantastic results! The murals are beautiful with such a sense of authenticity in time and place. Great too that the tower and the murals have been restored. And the views are interesting too – your photos provide a rare perspective of San Francisco.
I agree with you, Carol, it was extraordinary that the U.S. gov’t. was providing work for artists during the Depression, and really grand that San Franciscans voted and provided for the restoration over half a century later. I’m glad you enjoyed the views at the top of the tower, too. It was great fun giving you this tour, thanks so much for your interest, Carol.
Snapshots, and architecture, from a different time.
Yes, and a time that I found interesting, I hope you did, too, Brad. Thanks for your visit.
I love the idea of this Jet. It wasn’t a landmark I’d heard about before, but it looks vibrant and beautiful.
Yes, it is vibrant and beautiful there, Andrea. Thank you for your words and visit, much appreciated.
I loved your tour of Coit Tower. The murals are fascinating in detailing the history of California and San Fransisco. All of the murals look so vivid, full of colour. I really like the two murals painted by women artists, and like you, they are the standouts for me. Really like the emphasis of nature and greenery in those murals – symbolic of abundance, reminding of simple things you need to nourish yourself. The murals looked like a lot of work – a work of passion where stories of histories are told and kept alive. Taking the stairs to the top sounded like a treat to see those stairwell murals. Great views all round from the top too 🙂
Hello Mabel, so nice to see you today. I am happy you enjoyed the Coit Tower murals and took in all their beauty and history, as well as the views from the top. Thank you so much.
Great post, Jet. I loved the murals. A treasure for sure. It’s been years since I visited Coit Tower. Thanks to you and Alexander for the refresher course! Couldn’t help but notice the City Lights sign in the first mural. I wonder if it wasn’t the inspiration for the name of bookstore.
Yes, you’re right, there are all kinds of references in the murals, like the City Lights you spotted. Many of the artists also painted their fellow artists and friends into the characters. I’m glad you enjoyed the Coit Tower murals, Curt, thanks for stopping by.
A fun post!
A lovely idea to see California’s life through the artists eyes. I remember we visited here in Ontario a small town full of murals depicting the local history, we simply loved it.
Happy Tuesday!
Christie
I am so glad you enjoyed the Coit Tower murals, Christie. And I too really enjoyed the beauty and expression of the artists of the time. Thanks for your visit and kind words.
Magnificent murals. I cannot imagine seeing these in person. It must be overwhelming.
Thank you Flower Roberts. Yes, it is wonderful to be surrounded by these large, bold, expressive murals. Thanks so much for your visit.