San Francisco: Palace of Fine Arts
In the middle of San Francisco’s Walter S. Johnson Park, sits the Palace of Fine Arts, an easily recognizable piece of San Francisco architecture, both by day and by night.
The Palace was designed as part of the 1915, Panama Pacific Exposition, an event hosted by San Francisco to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal. It was also seen as an opportunity for San Francisco to rise from the ashes of the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire.
A site was chosen in what is now known as the Marina District, and architect Bernard Maybeck designed the Roman-themed/Greek-styled Palace of Fine Arts. Exposition 
exhibits are temporary, and therefore made with collapsible materials, so the Palace was never built to last. However the popularity of the Palace resulted in fundraising efforts to duplicate and preserve it with lasting materials. The fundraising was successful, and the Palace eventually became part of the San Francisco City Park system.
During WWII, the Palace was used as an Army motor pool. Looking at its stately bearings today, it is hard to imagine vehicles running roughshod over the grounds.
After being returned the city, the Palace began deteriorating from both misuse and disuse, and it was eventually declared a public hazard.
Fundraising rescued the Palace once again, with this reconstruction completed in 1967. Some additional columns were added in 1975.
The Palace of Fine Arts today features a performing theater 
and is also home to the Exploratorium, a museum found by Dr. Frank Oppenheimer. This museum hosts an array of hands-on exhibits focusing on science, nature, art, and technology. The Palace Theater has been the site of many televised events, including the 1976 Presidential Debate, as well as a variety of concerts, lectures, and corporate events. The Rotunda, shown in the pictures here, is available for wedding and special events.
While still in need of some tender loving care, the Palace of Fine Arts is a pleasant destination for a sunny afternoon.
Photo credit: Jon Rochetti, c. 2006
Tags: California, San-Francisco, travelRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Things to See & Do
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