Oct 032011
Bayview/Hunters Point
3rd Street Light Rail
Kirkwood/Oakdale Station
The Marquis Pole
Horace Washington was the artist for the third station. His work represents the tradition of shipbuilding and the history of WWII in the neighborhood.
At the start of World War II the Navy recognized the need for greatly increased naval shipbuilding and repair facilities in the San Francisco bay area, and in 1940 acquired property on the waterfront and named it Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The property became one of the major shipyards of the west coast.
The first USS Pike (SS-6) was a Plunger-class submarine in the service of the United States Navy. She was laid down on December 10th, 1900 at San Francisco, California by Union Iron Works, launched on January 14th, 1903, and commissioned on May 28th, 1903 at the Mare Island Navy Yard with Lieutenant Arthur MacArthur, Jr. (the elder brother of future General of the Army Douglas MacArthur) in command. Pike operated out of the Mare Island Navy Yard for over three years, operating principally in experimental and training roles. Members of the Pike’s crew took part in the relief efforts following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires.
Launched on the 20th of August and commissioned on the 16th of October 1916 at the Union Plant of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in San Francisco, California. This ship was the sixth Astral, a name originating as a brand name for a water-white kerosene refined at the Pratt Works in Brooklyn, NY. In appearance Astral was easily distinguished by three masts – the only tanker in the fleet so provided. The Astral disappeared without a trace, and no documented reason. Some feel she simply sank, others that she was torpedoed.
Horace Washington studied at Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio before moving to California to study sculpture at the San Francisco Art Institute and then completed his graduate studies at Cal State University, Sacramento. He is a San Francisco sculptor and muralist whose works include numerous projects in a variety of materials for public facilities in California.
Do all the stations have public art, each with a different artist? Is this a series you are doing?
I love theses stations! The tools in the canopy are super.
I get busy for a weekend and return to discover three new posts! You are busy! I am thoroughly enjoying the muni system series…You can find some art in your city around every corner!
Lots of yellow, fun shots. Linking over from MYM.
[…] Washington (who has work on the 3rd Street Light Rail project) studied at Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio before moving to California to study […]