San Francisco is home to many legends, between its larger-than-life historical figures to the lore passed down about its landmarks since its founding. Bill Roan, a blacksmith and metal worker based in the East Bay, added to this rich tapestry in 1989 following the Loma Prieta earthquake by leaning on the themes of fairy tales of old — gifting a protector to the Bay Bridge.

The Bay Bridge troll, as it became known, stands around 2 feet tall, with webbed feet and a long tongue. Roan crafted the creature at the request of Howard Stoltz, whose company repaired the earthquake-damaged bridge, as a way to thank the workers who raced to repair the bridge in the weeks after the historic ‘quake.

“I really wasn't interested, because I pretty much knew Caltrans would never let me put a sculptu

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