New and Venerable Institutions: St. Francis Hotel Clock

"Meet me at the St. Francis." Built in 1856, the Great Magenta Viennese lobby clock of the St. Francis Hotel - 335 Powell Street on the west side of Union Square - has been a traditional meeting place for generations of San Franciscans. Among the hotel's many claims to fame, early film star Al Jolson died here, and Queen Elizabeth II stayed here during her 1983 visit.

In 2004, the clock was briefly moved to the hotel's mezzanine level before being returned to a different part of the lobby, a few yards away from where it had stood before being ousted for the benefit of a lobby-level cocktail lounge.

Westin St. Francis turns 100!

Detail I: D.O.A.
Detail II: Fatty Arbuckle

 


Copyright 2002-2004 Hank Donat
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