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Rincon Center San Francisco: Discover the Murals in this Historic Art Deco Building
by Jill Loeffler •
I enjoy heading to the Rincon Center (Rincon Annex Post Office) in San Francisco to look at their historic murals. It is one of those hidden gems that most visitors miss.
This historic Art Deco building features more than a dozen fascinating murals.
After you look around, you can also grab some lunch in their courtyard and then head out to explore other parts of the city.
This structure was built in 1940 as one of the main post offices in San Francisco. Shortly after its completion, the US government provided funds to add murals to its main floor.
Today, people from around the world visit this building to look at these historic yet controversial murals.
It's free to stop by for a look, and all of them include a small description so you can get a feel for what's going on in each one.
In addition to these historic murals, the Rincon Center includes a handful of outdoor restaurants and Yank Sing in their indoor courtyard.
Read on to learn more about why these murals were so controversial and what to expect when you visit.
This is the main lobby inside the Rincon Center, where there used to be a post office. This historic section is open for visitors interested in checking out these historic murals.Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
About the Historic Rincon Center Murals
After several artists submitted their ideas for the Rincon Center mural project, Anton Refregier's set of twenty-seven murals was selected.
His murals showcased the history of San Francisco, which the committee felt was the perfect addition to this public San Francisco building.
Work began on the project in 1941.
Due to World War II, the project was put on hold from 1941 to 1945. His project started again after the war and was completed in 1948.
Even though Refregier's murals were selected for the project, they came under fire many times.
Several of his murals included controversial messages and he was forced to make almost 100 revisions before he was paid.
A few years after their completion, many of them again came under attack by the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Fortunately, no additional revisions were made, so you see the final murals as of 1948 when you visit.
The National Register of Historic Places added the Rincon Center in 1979. It's also San Francisco Landmark 107.
Refregier grew up in Russia and was believed to be communist. His interpretation of the history of San Francisco was slightly different from what the US Government wanted on the walls of the Rincon Center. This is why many of them came under review, and so many revisions had to be made before the project was finally completed.
Here are a few murals you will see when you visit the Rincon Center.
This mural showcases the explorer Sir Francis Drake. He is said to have discovered the area now known as San Francisco.
You will often see these blank globes in explorer murals as a sign that so much in the world is yet to be discovered.
This is another important mural depicting San Francisco's history with Mission Dolores as the main subject.This mural showcases the building of Mission Dolores, one of the first missions in the area and the oldest building still standing in San Francisco today (learn more about visiting the Mission Dolores).
It's one of the murals that was revised.
The original one hinted at the prosperity and superiority of the mission leader. He had a much larger frame and looked well fed. This is the figure in the brown robe in the back.
In contrast, the two Native American workers in front where originally gaunt and looked underfed.
The commission demanded all three figures be revised to show more equality among the three individuals.
This is the largest mural in the Rincon Center in San Francisco. It shows several workers as they build the city of San Francisco.
It's another mural that had to be revised. It initially showed only a few races building the city.
The commission had it changed to show more diversity in the people involved.
This is another one that added to the controversy. It depicts many of the figures in San Francisco's history. They were also controversial figures for various reasons.This is another mural that was slightly revised. It showcases many of the controversial figures in San Francisco's history (at that time).
Some had propaganda painted in, and all of it had to be removed in order for Refregier to get paid.
This mural shows builders working on the Golden Gate Bridge. Even though this one was not controversial, I wanted to include it as the bridge is an important part of San Francisco's history.
If you want to see them for yourself, you can walk through on your own and read the descriptions. If you want to learn more about them, you can join the free SF Public Library walking tour. This 90-minute tour goes into great detail on each of the 27 murals in this part of the building.
Hours
This is just one set of doors leading you into the Rincon Center Annex to check out these amazing murals.The historic section of the Rincon Center is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. On Saturday, it's open from 9 am to 2 pm.
How to Get to the Rincon Center
The Rincon Center is on the corner of Mission and Steuart Streets.
From Union Square:
- Walk: The Rincon Center San Francisco is just a mile from Union Square. You can walk down Market Street, take a right on Spear Street and enter the Rincon Center from the Spear Street doors.
- Public Transit: You can also take public transit. There are a number of options running down Market Street, including the F Streetcar, the underground Muni light rail, and several buses.
From Fisherman's Wharf:
- Public Transit: Your best bet from Fisherman's Wharf is the F Streetcar line. Hop off at the San Francisco Railway Museum at Don Chee Way and Steuart Street. You will then head south (past the museum) to Mission Street. The Rincon Center is on the southwest corner.
Things to Do Nearby
- Ferry Building: The Ferry Building is less than a block away and features several gourmet food vendors. You can also grab some lunch at one of its restaurants or shop.
- San Francisco Railway Museum: Just around the corner is a small, free museum about San Francisco's streetcars. Learn about their history in San Francisco, where the cars come from, and see the real-time map of where each one is on the route.
- More to See & Do Along the Embarcadero: The Rincon Center is just steps from the Embarcadero and you will find tons of fun things to see and do here. Check out my guide for full details!
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
