McLaren Lodge is an historic building within Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California, U.S.. Built in 1896, the building served dual use; as the home of the superintendent of the park department John McLaren, until his death in 1943; and also serves as the headquarters for the San Francisco Parks Department (now known as San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department). The building also contains the San Francisco Parks Alliance (formerly San Francisco Parks Trust). It is listed as a San Francisco designated landmark since 1984.[1]

McLaren Lodge
LocationGolden Gate Park,
501 Stanyan Street,
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Coordinates37°46′18″N 122°27′17″W / 37.7717°N 122.4547°W / 37.7717; -122.4547
Built1896
Built forJohn McLaren
ArchitectEdward R. Swain
OwnerSan Francisco Parks Department (1896–1949),
San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department (1950–present)
DesignatedNovember 4, 1984
Reference no.175[1]
McLaren Lodge is located in San Francisco County
McLaren Lodge
Location of McLaren Lodge in San Francisco County
McLaren Lodge is located in California
McLaren Lodge
McLaren Lodge (California)

History

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The McLaren Lodge was built in 1896, and designed by architect Edward Robinson Swain.[2] The rustic stone exterior is reminiscent of the earlier Richardsonian Romanesque-era. It is often described as having a MoorishGothic architectural style.[1][3] It is located at the east end of Golden Gate Park.

The building served as the home of the San Francisco park department’s fifth superintendent John McLaren, until his death in 1943. The building also serves as the headquarters for the San Francisco Parks Department (now known as San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department) since it was built.[4][5] It was officially named McLaren Lodge by the city parks commission in February 1943, weeks after McLaren's death.[4]

The housing portion of the building contains six bedrooms.[4] From 1943 until May 1950, Julian L. Girod became the sixth superintendent of the park department and moved into the housing portion of the building.[4] After the Girod family left, the building sections were combined to create the newly formed, San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "San Francisco Landmark #175: McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park". noehill.com. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  2. ^ Dunn, Jerry Camarillo (2013). San Francisco. National Geographic Books. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-4262-1022-8.
  3. ^ "McLaren Lodge, San Francisco". Denver Public Library Special Collections. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  4. ^ a b c d e Pollock, Chris (2001). San Francisco's Golden Gate Park: A Thousand and Seventeen Acres of Stories. Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-55868-545-1.
  5. ^ McCormick, Kathleen (September 2000). The Garden Lover's Guide to the West. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-56898-166-6.
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