San Francisco Relocation Guide - Antevia

The Conservatory of Flowers is one of the world's largest conservatories built of
traditional wood and glass panes. It was pre-fabricated for local entrepreneur James Lick
for his Santa Clara, California estate, but was still in its crates when he died in 1876. A
group of San Franciscans bought it, offered it to the city, and it was erected in Golden
Gate Park and opened to the public in 1879. But in 1883 the boiler exploded and the main
dome caught fire. Charles Crocker restored it. It survived the earthquake of 1906 only to
suffer another fire in 1918. In 1933 it was declared unsound and closed to the public until
1946. In 1995 a severe storm with 100 mph (160 km/h) winds damaged it, shattering 40%
of the glass, and it had to be closed again. It was cautiously dissected for repairs and
finally reopened in September 2003.
Kezar Stadium
Main article Kezar Stadium
Kezar Stadium, the one-time home of the AAFC and NFL San Francisco 49ers, was built
between 1922 and 1925 in the southeast corner of the park. The old, 59,000 seat stadium
was demolished in 1989, and replaced with a modern, 10,000 seat stadium.
John F. Kennedy Drive
John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive was the new name for North Drive, winding from the
East end of the park to the Great Highway after the Kennedy Assassination. The portion
east of the 19th ave. park crossing is closed to motor traffic on Sundays and holidays,
providing a popular oasis for pedestrians, bicyclists, and skaters. In 1983 the other major
transverse road, South Drive, was renamed as Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Minor Features
There are also a number of more naturalistically landscaped lakes throughout the park,
several linked together into chains, with pumped water creating flowing creeks.
A paddock corrals a small herd of bison, captive in the Park since 1892.