Lloyd Lake (San Francisco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lloyd Lake |
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Portals of the Past
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| Location | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California |
| Coordinates | 37°46′13″N 122°28′56″W / 37.77028°N 122.48222°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
Lloyd Lake is a beautiful spot located in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. It's also sometimes called Mirror Lake or Kissane Lake. This special lake has a bottom made of clay. It's a home for many different kinds of birds that live there all the time.
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Discovering Lloyd Lake
Lloyd Lake was named to remember Reuben Hedley Lloyd. He was an important person who helped manage the park. The lake is a peaceful place where you can see nature right in the middle of a big city. It's a great spot for a quiet walk or to just relax and watch the birds.
Who Was Reuben Hedley Lloyd?
Reuben Hedley Lloyd was a park commissioner. This means he was part of a group that helped make decisions about how Golden Gate Park was run and cared for. Naming the lake after him was a way to honor his work and dedication to the park.
Birds of Lloyd Lake
Lloyd Lake is a busy place for birds! You can often see many different types of birds swimming and flying around. Some of the birds that call Lloyd Lake home include geese, Pekin ducks (which are white and fluffy), Muscovy ducks, Campbell ducks, mallards, gulls, and pigeons. These birds are not just visiting; they live at the lake all year long.
The Portals of the Past
One of the most interesting things near Lloyd Lake is a historical landmark called the Portals of the Past. It's a beautiful and mysterious reminder of San Francisco's history. You can find these old stone columns by the lake, between JFK Drive and Crossover Drive.
A Glimpse into San Francisco's History
The Portals of the Past are actually the remains of a very fancy house that once stood on Nob Hill. This house belonged to a man named Alban Nelson Towne. In 1906, a huge earthquake and a terrible fire destroyed much of San Francisco, including this grand mansion.
After the disaster, all that was left of the house's entrance were its tall, fancy columns. These columns are called "ionic columns" because of their special design. In 1909, Mr. Towne's wife gave these columns to Golden Gate Park. Now, they stand alone by Lloyd Lake, looking like a gateway to another time. They remind everyone of the city's past and how it rebuilt itself after the earthquake.
