Train Station #62 -- August 7, 2013

San Francisco native Ruth Asawa has placed many of her sculptures around the city.  One of the favorites with many people is the fountain in the plaza of the Hyatt Union Square Hotel.  The fountain, installed in 1973, was formed using baker's clay, with help from friends and school kids who created some of the people, animals and autos.  It was then cast in bronze.  Unfortunately, the fountain has been threatened by Apple, which wants to replace the building at Post and Stockton with an ugly Apple Store which would displace the fountain.

Ruth Asawa passed away Monday night.  

This section of the fountain depicts the old Southern Pacific Depot at Third and Townsend.  The Mission Revival depot opened in 1912, in preparation for the Panama Pacific International Exposition.  The depot was in very bad shape when I was young.  The current Caltrain Depot at Fourth and King opened in 1975.