Music Concourse facts for kids
The Spreckels Temple of Music is the focal point of one end of the Music Concourse. Heavily pollarded trees cover the oval-shaped bowl.
|
|
| Location | Golden Gate Park in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°46′14″N 122°28′03″W / 37.7706°N 122.4675°W |
| Designated: | December 16, 2005 |
| Reference #: | 249 |
The Music Concourse is a large outdoor area in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. It's a popular spot where people gather for events and music. On either side of this oval-shaped plaza, you'll find two famous museums: the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum and the California Academy of Sciences.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Concourse
The Music Concourse was first dug out for a big event called the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. After the fair, the area was completely redesigned. It was turned into a special place for public gatherings, especially for music concerts.
The Spreckels Temple of Music
The main building in the plaza is the Spreckels Temple of Music. People also call it the "Bandshell". It was a gift to the city from a wealthy sugar businessman named Claus Spreckels. The Bandshell was built in 1899, just before the rest of the Music Concourse was finished in 1900.
This building has been damaged by earthquakes twice. It was hit in the 1906 earthquake and again in the 1989 earthquake. Each time, it had to be repaired. Many famous performers have played on its stage, from opera singer Luciano Pavarotti to the band Grateful Dead. For many years, it has also hosted yearly parties to celebrate the anniversary of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791.
Modern Updates and Landmarks
In the 2000s, the Music Concourse got a big makeover. New buildings were also constructed for the two museums. An underground parking garage with space for 800 cars was also built, opening in 2005. In December 2006, the Music Concourse, including its main area and the land around it with statues, was named a San Francisco Designated Landmark. This means it's an important historical place.
The SkyStar Wheel's Journey
A giant Ferris wheel called the SkyStar Wheel arrived in San Francisco in March 2020. It was meant to celebrate Golden Gate Park's 150th birthday. However, the celebration was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The observation wheel still opened in October 2020 for a year. Its stay was extended to help the company make up for money lost during the pandemic. The SkyStar Wheel closed in October 2023 and moved to Fisherman's Wharf nearby.
Exploring the Concourse: Features and Statues
The Music Concourse has several interesting features. Three fountains are placed in the middle of the plaza. A fourth fountain sits at the top of a staircase next to the main bowl area. The plaza is also filled with many trees planted in neat rows. These trees, mostly London plane and Scotch elm, are trimmed in a special way called "pollarded". This gives them a very tidy and formal look.
Notable Statues and Monuments
Many statues are scattered around the area. You can find statues of important figures like Leonidas, a brave King of Sparta. There's also a statue of Ulysses S. Grant, who was a U.S. President. You can also see statues of famous composers, Ludwig van Beethoven and Giuseppe Verdi. Another statue honors Junípero Serra.
At the end of the Music Concourse, opposite the Bandshell, is a monument dedicated to Francis Scott Key. He wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner." This monument was moved to this spot in 1967. Several underground tunnels lead from the surrounding areas directly into the main bowl of the Concourse.
Gallery
-
The Concourse during the 1894 California Midwinter Exposition.
-
Leonidas, King of Sparta, who fought at Thermopylae. This statue marks the start of the Music Concourse's excavation in 1893.
-
The northern part of the Concourse after recent updates, seen from the de Young Museum in 2009.
See also
