Historic SF murals: How many of these treasures can still be found today?

Click through to see some of the famed murals of San Francisco through the years. Click through to see some of the famed murals of San Francisco through the years. Image 1 of / 69 Caption Close Historic SF murals: How many of these treasures can still be found today? 1 / 69 Back to Gallery

Some of the biggest names ever to produce art in San Francisco have seen their work destroyed, not by vandals or fire in most cases, but by development and the elements. Fortunately the San Francisco Chronicle Archives contains historic photos of the murals that have survived and several others that are now long gone.

It's hard to imagine a Robert Crumb mural weathering public exposure. But, his art, along with many others, such as the famed sculptor, Benny Bufano, have brightened the landscape and public interior spaces for decades. Most of the interior artwork still exists. But, much of the external artwork is gone due to vandals, time and changing public tastes. Much of San Francisco's public art has also been influenced by its rich Latin culture.

During the depression, the WPA (Works Progress Administration) commissioned many artists around the country. In San Francisco, probably the most notable would be the murals that line the walls of Coit Tower. Last year, the Chronicle reported on the WPA murals at the San Francisco Zoo. They can also be found in George Washington High School, UCSF's Toland Hall, and the Beach Chalet which overlooks the Pacific.

The Merchants Exchange Club was kind enough to provide images of the rich WPA murals that decorate some of their walls.

"Julia Morgan commissioned William Coulter—arguably the premier maritime artist of the 20th century—to produce the murals for the Merchants Exchange banking hall after the 1906 earthquake and fire," wrote Frank Holland of the Merchants Exchange in an email to SFGATE. "In addition to the five large murals (four by Coulter and one by Nils Hagerup), there are eight additional smaller works by Coulter. One of Coulter's Merchants Exchange Murals, "Arrived All Well" was chosen by the U.S. Post Office for the 23 cent stamp in 1923." Two of Coulter murals, along with a shot of Prince Charles visiting the banking hall during the opening of the Chartered Bank of London in the 1980s, can be seen in the gallery above.

In 1971, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that "A decisive new look in outdoor murals has put a head-turning, black leather style new dress on two aging buildings in the Mission, thanks to a collaboration among local talent, the City's Neighborhood Arts Program and the celebrated 'underground' cartoonists, Spain and Robert Crumb."

R. Crumb's mural adorned the front of the Mission Rebels' headquarters that was located at 674 South Van Ness, and featured "a near life sized gang of cartoon black, brown and pink teenagers, accompanied by a Donaldesque duck and a green ghost with a third eye. They stated that it was done in his Zap Comix style, save the eroticism.

For years, a great mural, showing a little girl peeling back a section of wall, to reveal a scene of the Golden Gate, whimsically greeted passersby on Fifth Street, near Howard. Sadly, that building was torn down to make way for the proliferation of condos that continue to pop up all over the city. Luckily, at least some of those images of murals were saved in a Chronicle archive showing murals, indoor and out, from over the years.

Bob Bragman is a producer for SFGATE. His writing reflects his love of the Bay Area, in addition to his passion for vintage pop culture, ephemera and vernacular photographs. To see more of his content, please click here.