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McLaren Lodge, Golden Gate Park
Located at the east entrance to Golden Gate Park stands McLaren Lodge. The Lodge was named after the Park's first superintendent, John McLaren who lived in it from its construction in 1896 until 1943. McLaren was the primary force behind the development of the park, personally designing and planting much of the foliage. Once, when the city planned a cable car line through the park, McLaren planted protected trees in the rail path the night before construction. Legally, the cable car line had to be abandoned.

The beloved "Uncle John" was exempted from the city's forced retirement at age 60 and continued to work as superintendent until his death at 96. Today the lodge is headquarters of the San Francisco Parks Department. The sandstone, Victorian Romanesque-style lodge features mahogany beams, pigskin-clad walls, and chandeliers, all materials used are of California origin.
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