Murphy Windmill

What to know

The Murphy Windmill stands as a cultural landmark and symbol of early 20th-century engineering in the southwest corner of Golden Gate Park. Built between 1905 and 1908, this wooden structure was a gift to the city from banker Samuel G. Murphy. At the time of its construction, it was the largest windmill of its kind in the world, designed to pump 40,000 gallons of well water daily to save the city from high costs charged by the private Spring Valley Water Company. This industrial monument helped transform the area's original sand dunes into a green oasis by pumping groundwater for the park's lawns and gardens. It is the second of two wooden windmills in the park, following the northern Dutch Windmill built in 1902. While the structure eventually fell into disrepair and lost its sails, it was added to San Francisco's Designated Landmarks list on July 2, 2000. Following a long restoration campaign that began in 2002, the windmill was fully renovated. The work was completed in late 2011, with a public unveiling on April 28, 2012, during a Dutch Queen's Day festival. Today, the restored sails can often be seen turning in the Pacific breezes, serving as a major attraction for park visitors along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.

Visitor tips

• Visit on weekends or holidays to increase your chances of seeing the sails spinning.
• The area is open daily from dawn to dusk, so plan your visit during daylight hours.
• Follow the Golden Gate Park Multi-Use Trail if you are arriving by bicycle or on foot.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as the windmill is located on the far western edge of the park.

Nearby context

Located in the southwest corner of Golden Gate Park near 48th Avenue and Lincoln Way, the Murphy Windmill is a waypoint on the Golden Gate Park Multi-Use Trail. It is situated near the popular Arsicault Bakery.