Today, Ashbury Heights is home to pricey real estate and great views, but the top of Mount Olympus wasn't always so residential. Considered the geographical heart of San Francisco, the hill was once home to a massive statue titled "Triumph of Light" from 1887 to the late 1950s.

The monument was a gift to San Francisco by Adolph Sutro, the man that brought us Sutro Baths, the Cliff House, donated all the land to create UC San Francisco, and was the city's 24th mayor. At the time the statue was erected there was a 360-degree, unobstructed view of San Francisco, from the quiet houses in the Mission to the sand dunes of the Richmond. We can't imagine how impressive she must have looked in the late 1800s–standing tall surrounded by open land.

Sadly, vandalism and neglect plagued the monument, and it was in a poor state of disrepair by the 1950s. When the pressure to build more houses on Mt  Olympus started to grow, the city felt they had no choice but to dismantle "Triumph of Light". She was removed without fanfare, but strangely, her pedestal was left at the very top of Mt. Olympus. 

Today all that remains is a raised, wooded circle surrounding the remains of the monument's base located where Upper Terrace dead ends. Although the 360-degree views are now obstructed by buildings and trees, it is still a spectacular site to behold both the east and west sides of the city, with significantly less foot traffic than Twin Peaks. Happy exploring!