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Dear Mayor Newsom,
San Francisco had its own Statue of Liberty on Mt. Olympus at or near the geographic center of the city. When it was dedicated by Sutro in the 1880s it was intended to be a monument to the triumph of light (or "Liberty Enlightening the People") At the dedication it was said that it would be an imperishable symbol. But it was perishable and was torn down leaving only the base. The light held by the statue is gone. I am proposing and seeking your assistance in reviving the site and rekindling the light in what is a many ways a dark moment in our history. The light would be a shaft of light illuminating a phoenix flag. This re-dedication would be a symbol of hope and aspiration. Will you help me?
Arthur
- : 7.5
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October 22nd, 2007 at 11:01 am
I completely agree with Arthur’s post - it’s a tragedy that something which was meant to represent so much to our city’s residents has fallen away to time and has never replaced.
I too believe that this monument, which is located at the literal “Heart” of San Francisco, needs to be replaced. It’s a shame that it has been gone this long. Mayor Newsom, please bring this monument and the park it resides back to life for all of San Francisco!
Photos of the Statue and Monument can be seen here: http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search~/a?searchtype=X&searcharg=%22triumph%22+of+light&SORT=D&x=59&y=11
“On Mount Olympus, the exact center of San Francisco, overlooking Market Street, Adolph Sutro had erected his own skyline beacon - the statue Triumph of Light (a concrete copy of a Belgian work of art showing Liberty victorious over Depotism) in 1887, telling the school- children at its dedication, “May the light shine from the torch of the Goddess of Liberty to inspire our citizens to good and noble deeds for the benefit of mankind.” (Courtesy Ron Davis.)”
November 4th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Chad, I would like to hear more of your thoughts about reviving the “Triumph of Light” on Mt. Olympus. The original dedication ceremony makes interesting reading. Let’s talk! Arthur
January 17th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
We walk up there all the time, and only found out what the unknown monument was.
Here’s a cheap suggestion - how about a nice plaque that actually says what was there - and maybe a photo-engraved on to it?
My wife (the policy wonk) says itd be better to spend the money on social good than a statue, and I’m torn on it.
What’d I’d love to know is whether the statue still exists in some corner of the Parks Department. Or at the very least if a record of its actual form exists.
Pictures here: http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/a?searchtype=X&searcharg=triumph+of+light&SORT=D&x=55&y=9
Some more discussion here:
http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004Yr0
January 24th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I don’t live in San Francisco but I did back in the mid-80’s. I saw an exhibit at the Cliff House about the statue and was facinated. I went to Mt. Olympus and saw what you probably see today and I was even more intrigued by what it had been and what happened to it.
There is a 1954 news copy that reads:
“ONCE IT WAS LOVELY–This is Mt. Olympus, with its statue, ‘The Triumph of Light.’ It’s in bad shape, and getting worse, and city is considering demolishing it.”.
I thought the exhibit had said vandals had gotten to it.
It sure would be neat to see it done again and put back where it belongs.
Of course if you do that then I guess you need to rebuild the Sutro baths too!