THE BAY BRIDGE TROLLLocation: San Francisco, CA
Accessibility: Mild Hiking Created: 2013 |
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In the Norwegian fairy tale, “Three Billy Goats Gruff”, a territorial troll guards his beloved bridge. The San Francisco Bay Bridge has its own protective troll...a well known secret..
In 1989, tragedy struck the city when an earthquake hit, damaging and distroying lots of property, including the Bay Bridge.
As repairs were underway, iron workers snuck a small metal figure under the bridge. And what was this figure? An 18-inch steel troll crafted by blacksmith Bill Roan.
Roan was known for his work at a Oakland ornamental iron shop. The troll stood guard of his post without the public knowing. Then in 1990, the San Fransisco Chronicle ran an article about the troll. By that point, it was too late to have him removed.
The Bay Bridge troll guarded his post until 2013 when replacement of the bridge itself took place. The troll found a home in the Oakland Museum of California, and a new troll was designed to protect the new bridge. Today the original troll’s brother stands guard, hidden and out of sight from all motorists that pass over the bridge. Since 1989 there have been no further incidents of destruction either span of the Bay Bridge. Could this be thanks to a hidden, two-foot, troll protecting the structure? You decide.
With a careful search and the right clues, a pedestrian passerby can spot the protector of the Bay Bridge. Join us as we search for this mysterious, famous and ornery Bay Bridge Troll.
In 1989, tragedy struck the city when an earthquake hit, damaging and distroying lots of property, including the Bay Bridge.
As repairs were underway, iron workers snuck a small metal figure under the bridge. And what was this figure? An 18-inch steel troll crafted by blacksmith Bill Roan.
Roan was known for his work at a Oakland ornamental iron shop. The troll stood guard of his post without the public knowing. Then in 1990, the San Fransisco Chronicle ran an article about the troll. By that point, it was too late to have him removed.
The Bay Bridge troll guarded his post until 2013 when replacement of the bridge itself took place. The troll found a home in the Oakland Museum of California, and a new troll was designed to protect the new bridge. Today the original troll’s brother stands guard, hidden and out of sight from all motorists that pass over the bridge. Since 1989 there have been no further incidents of destruction either span of the Bay Bridge. Could this be thanks to a hidden, two-foot, troll protecting the structure? You decide.
With a careful search and the right clues, a pedestrian passerby can spot the protector of the Bay Bridge. Join us as we search for this mysterious, famous and ornery Bay Bridge Troll.