Golden Hydrant
20th and Church - Golden Hydrant
Photo: Chris Carlsson
The Fire Hydrant that Saved San Francisco
20th and Church Streets. A great place to visit, if only because it's right across the street from the stunningly scenic southwest corner of Dolores Park. After you pay your respects to the golden hydrant, why not stretch out on the grass and unleash a geyser of champagne in its honor?
The golden fire hydrant at 20th and Church Streets isn't really gold-- it's only painted gold. Why a golden fire hydrant, wonder passersby and their dogs. Is it used by kinky Castro residents who break it open to let loose a thunderous "golden shower" on hot days? Wrong. Every year, earthquake survivor Les Bulloch puts a coat of gold paint on the hydrant -- the only one that still functioned after the 1906 quake. This very special hydrant was responsible for saving the houses between 20th and 22nd Streets from the Great Fire.
--Dr. Weirde