Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it is Sutro Tower. This iconic structure pierces the San Francisco skyline. Let’s dive into the story behind this colossal tower.
Sutro Tower is not just a tower. It’s a vital organ in San Francisco’s broadcasting infrastructure. Since July 4, 1973, Sutro Tower has beamed TV and radio signals across the Bay Area. It serves over one million people. The tower transmits signals for many television and radio stations. It also supports wireless communication.
Before Sutro Tower, TV reception in San Francisco was spotty. The city’s hills interfered with signals. Sutro Tower solved this problem by consolidating transmitters. It allowed antennas to point in a single direction. This improved reception across the Bay Area.
Sutro Tower stands 977 feet tall. Its highest antennas reach 1811 feet above sea level. The tower’s three legs are embedded in 15 million pounds of concrete. The structure itself weighs 3.5 million pounds. Its colors are aviation orange and white.
The tower’s origin story involves a media war. The San Francisco Chronicle and ABC both wanted to build transmission towers. The Chronicle wanted to build on San Bruno Mountain. ABC owned land on Mount Sutro. The Federal Aviation Authority rejected the Chronicle’s proposal. Sutro Tower broke ground in 1969.
Early designs of Sutro Tower resemble the Space Needle in Seattle. Furman Anderson, the tower’s original structural engineer, may have been influenced by the Space Needle.
A spooky mansion once stood at the foot of Sutro Tower. Adolph Gilbert Sutro, grandson of Mayor Adolph Sutro, built La Avanzada in 1930. The three-story house had turrets and stained-glass windows. It was later sold to ABC. Staff members called it the haunted mansion. The mansion was torn down during Sutro Tower’s construction in 1969.
For years, rumors swirled about a restaurant atop Sutro Tower. The Chronicle floated the idea in 1962. The tower moaned like a harp after its completion. Wind rushed through the cables. A redesign quieted the sound.
Sutro Tower is owned by Sutro Tower Inc. The nonprofit is owned by major TV broadcasters. These include KTVU, KRON-TV, KPIX, and KGO-TV.
Sutro Tower is accessible only to authorized vehicles. There is no public access. The area offers beautiful panoramic viewpoints. On a clear day, it is visible from Mount Diablo. It can sometimes be seen above the coastal fog.
Though initially criticized, Sutro Tower is now a Bay Area icon. It stands as a testament to engineering. It symbolizes San Francisco’s innovative spirit. Next time you see Sutro Tower, remember its quirky history.