The Old U.S. Mint (The Granite Lady)

The Old U.S. Mint was constructed between 1874 and 1879 and is a National Historic Landmark known for surviving the 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires that destroyed much of downtown San Francisco. It operated as a branch of the United States Mint and produced gold coins during the California Gold Rush era before mint operations moved elsewhere in the 20th century. The building's survival and solid construction made it an important symbol of federal presence in the city after 1906.