Streetwise: Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park
by Frank Dunnigan
September 2024
Frank Dunnigan, WNP member and columnist. - Since its opening in 1879, Golden Gate Park’s Conservatory of Flowers has delighted visitors with a variety of rare, tropical, sub-tropical, and potted flora and fauna.
By at least the 1890s, the area in front of the conservatory (Conservatory Valley) began to feature beds of patterned ornamental flowers and shrubs, sometimes called a “parterre,” carpet bedding, or floral plaque. Designs have varied widely over the years, sometimes welcoming visiting conventioneers such as the Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1910, the Shriner’s Convention in 1950, or the N.A.A.C.P. in 1958; civic events such as the 100th birthday of Lowell High School in 1956 or the 50th anniversary of Muni in 1962; or public service announcements such as an American flag display in 1912 or promoting sales of U.S Savings Bonds in 1963. Dozens of different outdoor floral clocks have been featured there over the years.
The conservatory has suffered many natural disasters and budget constraints in its long history, but has managed to recover from them all—including serious storm damage to the building and exhibits in 1995. Today, the conservatory sells admission tickets to the public and is also available for private events. There is also a free day each month and periodic spectacular nighttime light shows that are open to all.
Here are several examples of the frequently changing displays in Conservatory Valley over the years, from the WNP photo archive. See more photos of the conservatory over the last 145 years
in our OpenSFHistory photo gallery.
Conservatory of Flowers, circa 1905 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.1905—WELCOME FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES
Conservatory of Flowers, circa 1925 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.1925—CALIFORNIA DIAMOND JUBILEE, 1850-1925
Conservatory of Flowers, May 1, 1945 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.1945—SAN FRANCISCO WELCOMES UNITED NATIONS
Conservatory of Flowers, circa 1950 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.1950—PUBLIC PARKS JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Conservatory of Flowers, 1956 - Photo by Andrew Brandi / Courtesy of Richard Brandi.1956—LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL 100TH ANNIVERSARY, 1856-1956.
Conservatory of Flowers, circa 1958 - Courtesy of a Private Collector.1958—WELCOME N.A.A.C.P.
Conservatory of Flowers, September 1966 - Courtesy of a Private Collector1966—ONE OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT FLORAL CLOCK DISPLAYS OVER THE YEARS
Conservatory of Flowers, August 1980 - Photo by Meg Oldman, Meg Oldman Collection / Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project.1980—NORTH WINDMILL 1902-1980 [CELEBRATING RESTORATION]
Conservatory of Flowers, September 1982 - Photo by Meg Oldman, Meg Oldman Collection / Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project.1982—49ER’S HELMET TO COMMEMORATE SUPER BOWL VICTORY.
Conservatory of Flowers, September 1982 - Photo by Meg Oldman, Meg Oldman Collection / Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project.1982—GOLDEN GATE PAVILION (A GIFT FROM THE CITY OF TAIPEI, TAIWAN THAT HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED AT STOW LAKE, NOW KNOWN AS THE CHINESE PAVILION AT BLUE HERON LAKE)
Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
