San Francisco Points of Interest

The Sphinx in Golden Gate Park
1 February 2012
(Click Photos to Zoom)
Sphinx
Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Golden Gate Park
Created 1903

Arthur Putnam, created two cast concrete sphinxes which flanked the main entrance of the original Young Museum.

A wealthy patron wanted to assist Putnam, who was destitute but too proud to accept charity, so she employed him to replace the sphinxes which had been part of the Egyptian Building at the 1894 Midwinter Fair.

The sphinxes are now located near the Pool of Enchantment.

The sphinxes contribute to the Golden Gate Park Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

Source: NRHP Nomination for Golden Gate Park Historic District submitted July 2004.

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