Murphy Windmill

Murphy Windmill is a Dutch-style windmill in the western section of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. The structure features four wooden sails and stands alongside a companion windmill, and the two together define this part of the park.

The structure was built in 1908 as a solution to supply water to the park's grounds and was financed by a prominent banker. It functioned as part of the park's infrastructure for years before becoming a landmark.

The structure is named after its primary financial backer and stands within a landscape shaped by its original purpose. The two windmills at the park's western end together form a striking local landmark.

Visitors can view the exterior at any time while walking through the park, and the interior is occasionally open during special programs. Plan time to walk around both windmills and explore the surrounding area of the park.

Unlike its European counterparts, this windmill rotates in the opposite direction, which makes it notable among those familiar with windmill mechanics. This unusual rotation is a technical detail that many visitors overlook when passing by.

Location: Golden Gate Park

GPS coordinates: 37.76400,-122.50800

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43