Unfinished History
This c. 1910 photo by Willard Worden shows an inter-dune pond in the future Sunset District. Before Golden Gate Park was developed, 14 native inter-dune lakes existed within the park's 1,013 acres. All of the native lakes were filled except the Chain of Lakes, and manmade bodies of water replaced the natural lakes.
Photo: Private Collection, San Francisco, CA
Chain of Lakes near western end of Golden Gate Park, 2014.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Spreckels Lake, home to the S.F. Model Yacht Club, 2014.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Elk Glen Lake, 2014.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
1893 bridge crossing Stow Lake to Strawberry Hill, 2014.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Stow Lake provides sanctuary to many different birds.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Stow Lake, 2014.
Photo: Chris Carlsson
Mallard Lake, with its namesake inhabitants.
Photos: Chris Carlsson