Public artwork in San Francisco

This latest piece is neither the best nor the worst art that has stood on this prominent spot on the Embarcadero. Called “The Welcome Tower,” it obviously alludes to a famous early twentieth century SF landmark, Coit Tower (see extra). And before you make any snide jokes about that name, let me assure you that it innocently refers to the donor, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who erected (so to speak) this nozzle-like tower to honor the heroic fireman who defended San Francisco from the flames that followed the 1906 earthquake.