The statue of Thomas Starr King, by artist Daniel Chester French, stood high on a stout pedestal and was surrounded by green trees. The statue stood dramatically in a glade, partly lit by midday sunlight.

On the front of the pedestal, that supported the statue of Thomas Starr King, was a sign:

Thomas Starr King
In Him Eloquence, Strength
And Virtue Were Devoted
With Fearless Courage to Truth
Country And His Fellow-Men

Wikipedia described Thomas Starr King as: Thomas Starrr King, often known as Starr King, was an American Universalist and Unitarian minister, influential in California politics during the American Civil War, and a Freemason. Starr King spoke zealously in favor of the Union and was credited by Abraham Lincoln with preventing California from becoming a separate republic. He is sometimes referred to as "The orator who saved the nation".

The artist's signature was etched into the base of the sculpture. It read, "D.C. French Sculptor, New York 1892."

The body of Thomas Starr King was wrapped in a leather coat. His face appeared proud in the afternoon San Francisco sunlight.

Thomas Starr King held a staff in his right hand. The staff appeared to be cloaked in a cloth or perhaps in an additional piece of outer wear.

The back of the Thomas Starr King Statue, by artist Daniel Chester French, faced west toward the Pacific Ocean and beyond.

A view of the back side of the pedestal supporting the Thomas Starr King statue. This view exposed the scene in front of the statue. Parked cars and pedestrians stood in the shade of Golden Gate Park's trees.