Golden Gate Park in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Alvord Lake Bridge

National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

— Built 1889 —

Alvord Lake Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Alvord Lake Bridge Marker

Inscription.
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
American Society of Civil Engineers
Alvord Lake Bridge
ASCE 1970

Erected 1970 by American Society of Civil Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 37° 46.148′ N, 122° 27.297′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Golden Gate Park. It can be reached from Haight Street west of Stanyan Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 499 Kezar Dr, San Francisco CA 94117, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dune Stabilization is a Grassroots Effort (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Public Children's Playground in the United States (approx. 0.2 miles away); San Francisco Lawn Bowling Clubhouse and Greens (approx. ¼ mile away); Polytechnic High School (approx. ¼ mile away); The Conservatory (approx. 0.4 miles away); Doolan/Larson Residence and Storefronts

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Dr. Oscar J. Jackson (approx. 0.6 miles away); General Pershing Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Regarding Alvord Lake Bridge. The Alvord Lake Bridge is the first reinforced concrete bridge built in the United States. Ernest L. Ransome employed his patent for twisted square steel reinforcement bars to provide a robust structure with enhanced flexural strength. Built in 1889, the bridge survived the 1906 earthquake with minimal damage.

Ransome patented his twisted square bar design in 1884, learning that the twisted shape resulted in a stronger bond between the concrete and steel. The process of cold twisting also increased the steel’s tensile strength. The bars were cheap to produce, and easy to use.

The Alvord Lake Bridge’s design and construction are significant in the evolution of modern building design and the eventual use of reinforced concrete throughout the world.

The bridge is 64 feet wide, with a 29-foot span. It supports Kezar Drive with its three lanes of traffic and two sidewalks. The architectural features consist of reliefs to create a sandstone-like exterior, and concrete deposits

Alvord Lake Bridge and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

2. Alvord Lake Bridge and Marker

The marker is above the center of the entrance.

resembling stalactites that cover the passageway under the arch bridge.
The bridge was restored in 2022.

Alvord Lake Bridge - 1890 image. Click for full size.

3. Alvord Lake Bridge - 1890

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 22, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.