I worked on Lytton Avenue, in downtown Palo Alto for more than 20 years. Like many people, I passed by this sculpture countless times without paying much attention to it. But one day, I finally stopped, took a closer look, and wondered: What is this unusual arch, and what story does it tell?
This is one of the most interesting pieces of public art in downtown Palo Alto. The sculpture is called “The Arch of Ely,” and it is located at 390 Lytton Avenue.
Who created it?
Emeryville artist Scott Donahue created the arch around 1990. It was commissioned for the Ely Building and named after Leonard Ely, a longtime Palo Alto businessman and automobile dealer.
What does the arch represent?
At first glance, it may look like a colorful entrance. But if you look closely, the sculpture tells the story of the automobile.
Why are cars climbing through the arch?
The miniature cars represent different periods of automotive history, from early horseless carriages to more modern vehicles.
What do the red rings mean?
The red rings represent tires from different eras. As you move upward, they become narrower and more primitive, showing how automobiles changed over time.
Why is this sculpture located here?
Before the Ely Building was constructed, the property was a gas station and later a parking lot. That history makes an automobile-themed entrance especially appropriate.
Who was Leonard Ely?
Leonard Ely opened an automobile dealership in Palo Alto during the 1950s. The sculpture honors his family’s business legacy and the important role automobiles played in California’s growth.
Why is this artwork meaningful to Palo Alto?
Palo Alto grew alongside the automobile age which surprised me. Today, the city is known as the heart of Silicon Valley, but this arch reminds us of an earlier chapter—before the technology revolution, when automobiles were helping shape Palo Alto and California.
The next time you walk along Lytton Avenue, will you stop and take a closer look?