http://sanfranciscoimages.blogspot.com/2011/12/story-of-tree-in-union-square.html UNION SQUARE'S CHRISTMAS TREE • A TRADITION FOR OVER 130 YEARS _____________________________________________ Since 1880, and every year since, a magnificent tree or a facsimile or creation resembling a tree, has adorned Union Square during the holiday season. This annual tradition has, like many things in the City's history, been credited to Emperor Norton (1818-1880), who it is said, in his normal fashion to such matters, simply decreed that this shall be done. Norton, the City's great eccentric, has also been noted as the first person to envision bridges across the bay, not to mention he is a man who created his own currency. Apparently, this was also the first public-space Christmas tree in the country. sf_union_sq_xmas_tree_HT_p