Nine Fun Facts about Coit Tower

Coit Tower, perched atop Telegraph Hill, is more than just a postcard-perfect landmark. With its quirky history, artistic secrets, and even a bit of drama, this San Francisco icon has plenty of stories to tell. So, grab your hiking shoes (or take a Jeep tour!) and let’s dive into some fascinating facts.

#1 A Million-Dollar Love for Firefighters

Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a San Francisco socialite and lifelong fan of the city’s firefighters, left a third of her fortune—nearly $2 million in today’s money—to beautify the city. Part of that gift became Coit Tower!

#2 No, It’s Not a Giant Fire Hose Nozzle

Rumors persist that Coit Tower was designed to look like a fire hose nozzle as a tribute to firefighters. Cool theory, but nope! It’s just a sleek Art Deco design—though the resemblance is fun to imagine.

#3 Built by the Same Firm as SF City Hall

The same architectural firm behind San Francisco’s grand City Hall designed Coit Tower. However, the man behind its unique look was architect Henry Howard, not Arthur J. Brown.

#4 Keeping It Slim & Stylish

Coit Tower’s narrow, fluted design wasn’t just for looks—it was to make a bold statement without overpowering the small hilltop. The top is only 18 inches narrower than the base, giving it that sleek, elongated appearance.

#5 Controversial Murals Inside

The tower’s famous murals, painted during the Great Depression, were part of a government-funded art project. Some were considered controversial for their socialist themes and depiction of diverse workers—a big deal back then!

#6 Censored & Locked Away

In 1934, during the longshoremen’s strike, officials feared the murals might stir up too much sympathy for workers. The city locked the tower and even painted over parts of the artwork. Talk about an artistic scandal!

#7 Women Artists Made Their Mark

Out of the 26 artists who worked on the murals, four were women—a rare feat for the time. The entire mural project cost $26,022 and stayed right on budget.

#8 The Great “View Violation” Protest

Not everyone was thrilled with Coit Tower. Shortly after it opened, a Union Street café owner was so upset that it “invaded the sanctity of his view” that he climbed to the roof and fired a rifle at it.

#9 The Noisy Neighbors—Parrots!

Walking the trails around Coit Tower? Listen for the loud squawks of the famous wild parrots of Telegraph Hill. This lively flock even starred in their own documentary, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2005).

#10 Not the Tallest, But One of the Best Views

At 210 feet tall, Coit Tower isn’t the highest point in San Francisco, but it offers some of the best panoramic views of the city, bay, and beyond. A must-visit for photographers and sightseers alike!