Sign Hill Park
| Sign Hill Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Municipal |
| Location | South San Francisco, California |
| Area | 43.9 acres (17.8 ha) |
| Created | 1923 |
| Open | All year |
Sign Hill Park is a public park in South San Francisco.[1][2][3]
It is most notable for the huge cement letters that lay on the southern slope of the hill proclaiming "SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO THE INDUSTRIAL CITY". The four-inch thick sixty-foot high cement letters were constructed in 1923 during the height of industrial companies in the city. Industries such as steel, paint, pipes, and metal, along with the building of forty-five war ships during World War II is what gave the city its reputation.
In the 1990s some residents rallied to have the sign removed as the city has shifted from industrial to biotechnology over the years. However the move to demolish the sign was defeated when it was put on the list of National Register of Historic Places in 1996 through the efforts of Edna Harks.
The sign has become a symbol of the city of South San Francisco and is now widely praised by locals. The sign is also a showcase of many traditions including a pole at the top of the hill that is decorated as a Christmas tree during Christmas. As well as the "S" and "F" being painted orange when the San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series.[1]
In addition to the sign, there is also many hiking trails as well as various types of wildlife.
References
- 1 2 Pellisier, Hank (November 6, 2010). "Sign Hill: South San Francisco". The Bay Citizen.
- ↑ Wykes, S.L. (April 12, 2006). "Self-appointed arborist dies; beautified hill.". San Jose Mercury News via HighBeam Research. (subscription required)
- ↑ Mack, Heather (September 20, 2012). "Grasslands behind Sign Hill inspire conservation campaign". baynature.org.
- Lakey, Carl. "South City old-timers save sign." Palo Alto Time Tribunal (Sept. 12, 1986): Cl.
- Lakey Carl. "This city's sign of the time refuses to change with them." Palo Alto Times Tribunal (Sept. 23, 1986): Cl.
- Lakey, Carl. "Sign with nine lives." Palo Alto Times Tribunal (Sept. 15, 1986): Editorial.
- Parsons, James J. "Hillside Letters in the Western Landscape." Landscape Vol. 30, Number 1, 1988.
External links
- http://www.ssf.net/index.aspx?NID=1333
- South San Francisco Hillside Sign from the National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet (PDF)
Coordinates: 37°39′58″N 122°25′08″W / 37.666°N 122.419°W