Admission Day Monument

The Admission Day Monument is a bronze and marble structure located at the intersection of Market, Post, and Montgomery Streets in San Francisco. Its central Doric column is topped with figures representing California, including a worker waving the American flag near the base.

The monument was erected in 1897 with funding from Mayor James D. Phelan to commemorate California's admission to the Union on September 9, 1850. City backing of the project reflected how significant this event remained for local identity.

The bronze sculptures display symbolic elements like bear heads, rattlesnakes, and a figure holding a book marked with the state's admission date. These representations connect the Gold Rush era with California's state identity.

The monument sits at a major street intersection in downtown San Francisco, making it easy to locate and accessible at any time. The busy area features seating nearby where visitors can pause to view the structure within its urban setting.

The structure originally served as a public drinking fountain, with water flowing through decorative bronze bear heads at its base. This dual function was typical of many public monuments from the late eighteen hundreds in American cities.