Three artists worked on “The American Spirit” piece of public art. They contributed artistic designs to the four sides of the obelisk, a shape from the ancient Egyptian period. The sculpture is located at the new bus transfer center and has a transportation theme. At the bottom of the sculpture, etched metal photos from the county’s early history describe various methods of transportation from the 1800s through the 20th century. Sketches depict the Chumash Tomol canoe, vaqueros and street carriage, while local photos show the Mission Carreta, stage coach, wagon, early railways, steamship, turnof-the-century automobile, airplane, bicycle, bookmobile, and a motorized bicycle. Graphic designer Erick Wand worked from original sources to create the information panels reproduced permanently on metal plates.

The grizzly bear and palm tree represent the two cross streets, Palm and Los Osos, where the sculpture is located. Above these are stylized wheels, representations of the Carreta, wagon, and modern day wheels. The crowning portion of the sculpture are molded glass tiles created in transportation-themed colors of red, green, and amber. The “X” and “O” tiles stand for the universal physics symbols of coming and going. The beautifully formed flames on top represent the spirit of inventiveness and “The American Spirit” title. Each glass element was designed and hand crafted by glass artist Will Carlton. Interior illumination sets the glass prisms and top flame aglow after dark.

Team leader and sculptor Jim Jacobson was responsible for the overall design and research, as well as the creation of metal work. This piece was the winning entry of a design competition initiated by the City of San Luis Obispo's Department of Public Works, Art in Public Places program.