Ever wonder how Christmas Tree Point got its festive name? It’s a tale of a grand Christmas tradition and civic pride.
Christmas Tree Point is a viewpoint on Twin Peaks in San Francisco. It offers stunning vistas of the city and the bay. But its name has a unique origin rooted in a Christmas spectacle from nearly a century ago.
Back in 1927 the San Francisco Examiner newspaper decided to create a grand promotional event. They erected a massive Christmas tree on Twin Peaks. It was an ambitious project that captured the city’s imagination.
The Examiner partnered with city employees and various companies. Together they cut down a 120-foot fir tree in Mendocino County. Due to its massive size, they had to cut it in half for transportation. Trucks hauled the tree to Twin Peaks.
Public Works employees reassembled the tree. They used an iron collar to connect the trunk halves. They drilled holes to reattach the branches. Superintendent John McLaren added extra boughs to make it fuller. The tree was decorated with streamers, lights, ornaments and fake snow. Thirty floodlights illuminated the scene.
The South of Market Boys sponsored a circus show. It coincided with the tree’s lighting. Shell Oil built a 50-foot Santa Claus gateway. The Pioneer Auto Bus Company transported children to the unveiling.
On December 19 1927 Mayor James Rolph flipped the switch. The Examiner wrote of a sudden flare of light. The tree was visible from Marin County to the East Bay. It was lit from sundown until three a.m. throughout the holidays.
The Examiner tree became a tradition for a few years. However, a movement against cutting down trees for Christmas emerged. The Outdoor Christmas Tree Association promoted decorating living trees.
In 1931 San Francisco adopted a new tradition. The large Monterey Pine at McLaren Lodge became the official city Christmas tree. This tradition continues today.
Though the original Examiner Christmas tree is long gone Christmas Tree Point retains its name. It reminds us of a time when a towering tree brought holiday cheer to the city. Today it is a place where people can admire the beauty of San Francisco. It connects the city with its Christmas past.