San Francisco, California story
The Concrete Column of Telegraph Hill
Perched atop Telegraph Hill is a slender white concrete column that has defined the city's skyline since 1933. Coit Tower wasn't built by the city, but through a bequest from Lill…
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Perched atop Telegraph Hill is a slender white concrete column that has defined the city's skyline since 1933. Coit Tower wasn't built by the city, but through a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who wanted to beautify San Francisco. While the 210-foot tower offers stunning 360-degree views from its observation deck, some of its most precious art is actually on the ground floor.
Inside, you'll find a series of murals that are free to the public and capture a vivid era of California history. It's a unique blend of Art Deco architecture and social storytelling, turning a simple memorial tower into a public gallery that overlooks the entire bay.
Updated June 2026