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The Republic monument.

McKinley Monument: The Republic

Field review by the editors.

San Francisco, California

The stern face of America's martyred 25th President glowers from a bronze medallion set into the pedestal base of this towering monument, which is topped by a giant, toga-draped woman, "The Republic," holding what appears to be a giant feather (It's actually a palm leaf). The monument, which is the work of Robert S. Aitken, was unveiled in Golden Gate Park in 1904 at the height of McKinley memorial mania.

It appears that most San Franciscans have since forgotten William McKinley, and his fierce stare does not discourage the morons who repeatedly vandalize his pedestal with graffiti and carvings of their own. It's gotten so bad that in 2013 the city planned to erect a seven-foot-high fence around the monument, to protect the 25th President from San Francisco's unappreciative modern-day inhabitants.

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McKinley Monument: The Republic

McKinley Square Park

Address:
Baker St., San Francisco, CA
Directions:
The monument is at the easternmost edge of Golden Gate Park panhandle, and stands on the west side of Baker St. between Fell and Oak Sts.
Admission:
Free
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In the region:
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