Adolph sutro, mining magnate and mayor, built the baths as an attraction for the growing city, residents and visitors alike. The cliff house is an icon of san francisco history has been rebuilt four times. In its day, it was the biggest indoor swimming pool that world had ever witnessed and lands enda park in san francisco was. This san francisco hike offers nature, history and. San franciscos sutro heights, cliff house, and sutro. Ruins of the sutro baths san francisco, california. Explore two famous san francisco landmarks, the cliff house and sutro baths. Sutro baths a full history of the baths with photos form. Sutro opened his estate to the public, and contributed to the community in other ways, including the building of the sutro baths. Today in history march 14 on march san francisco celebrated the official opening. Sutro baths san francisco, california, usa the baths got their start as an artificial tide pool in a natural cove, which mr.
The san francisco cliff house by mary germain hountalas and sharon silva san francisco s playland at the beach. The vast glass, iron, wood, and reinforced concrete structure was mostly hidden, and filled a small beach inlet below the cliff house, also owned by adolph sutro at the time. Sutro s glass palace is the fascinating story of this vanished but enduring piece of san francisco history. San franciscans of a certain age remember sutro baths at lands end, the glassedin pleasure dome with seven huge indoor pools six saltwater, one fresh, an ice skating rink and a. A very recent piece of business secured by the industrial department of pacific service is the light and power load of the famous sutro baths in san francisco which, from the time they opened some seventeen years ago, have been operated independent of any. The 10 best restaurants near sutro baths in san francisco. Sutro baths john martini returns to talk about san francisco s legendary sutro baths, once the worlds largest natatorium and now beloved ruins. Now, after a recent archive archaeological mission, were publishing glimpses of sutro baths from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 80s, many of which havent been seen in decades. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. San francisciana photographs of sutro baths first american edition. The baths were built on the western side of san francisco by wealthy entrepreneur and former mayor of san francisco 18941896 adolph sutro. Sutro baths history golden gate national recreation area.
The 10 best hotels near sutro baths in san francisco. Those who believe in curses might wonder whether adolph sutro s persistent fire problem was a result of his penchant for collecting egyptian artifacts. Sutro baths history golden gate national recreation area u. The sutro egyptian collection san francisco, california. This is a must read if you are interested in history, especially if you live or visit the san francisco bay area. Martinis prose and the book s exceptional design lead you not only through the architecture, engineering, and history of the vanished landmark, but also skillfully guide you through the massive complex of ruins that mark where it once stood. I then became obsessed with finding out all about them and their history and the man behind them, adolph sutro.
Filmed august 22, 1897, at the sutro baths in san francisco, california. The sutro baths was a large, privately owned public saltwater swimming pool complex in the lands end area of the outer richmond district in western san francisco, california. Since 1863, visitors have flocked to san franciscos western shore to enjoy sweeping ocean views and fine dining at the cliff house. The sutro baths opened in 1890, and was intended for the working people of san francisco, who could take his train out to the ocean sand dunes and play in the pools, enjoying the day swimming, exploring his museum and eating in the restaurants. These pictures feature the 2nd cliff house that was build in 1898 and burned down in 1907. My rosegarden guest rooms offers accommodations in san francisco. Sutro baths in san francisco old pictures, old photos, places in california. That was the day when sutro baths first opened its doors to the crowds standing outside. The sutro baths were the passion project of adolph sutro, an entrepreneur who was also a former mayor of san francisco. In the background are three tiers of spectators watching the bathers. Adolph heinrich joseph sutro april 29, 1830 august 8, 1898 was a germanamerican engineer, politician and philanthropist who served as the 24th mayor of san francisco from 1895 until 1897.
Longlost sutro baths photos pulled from depths of chronicle archive. Sutro ran for mayor as the populist antioctupus candidate, in opposition to the southern pacific railroad, which dominated california politics. The concrete ruins just north of the cliff house are the remains of the grand sutro baths. Today is the 120th anniversary of the opening of sutro baths, a remarkable woodandglass victorian confection at the western edge of the continent and the city, aptly named lands end. Sutros dream for the baths was to provide a healthy, recreational and inexpensive swimming facility for thousands of san franciscans. The massive conflagration that ended a part of san francisco history. The sprawling natatorium was a pet project of adolph sutro, a wealthy entrepreneur and former mayor of san francisco who became widely known as a populist over his illustrious career. Saluting the glory days of sutro baths in 16 vintage photos. The baths were built on the sleepy western side of san francisco by wealthy entrepreneur and former mayor of san francisco 18941896, adolph sutro. Discover ruins of the sutro baths in san francisco, california. Smith san francisciana photographs of sutro baths by marilyn blaisdell. Van hoosear, industrial department pacific gas and electric co. When wealthy local businessman and the citys 24th mayor, adolph sutro, opened san franciscos sutro baths in 1896, they were bigger than any public indoor swimming pool facility the word had ever seen.
The sutro baths was situated behind the cliff house and was eventually turned into an iceskating rink. A further ten had reopened within 24 continue reading. Lawrence ormsby the story of a vanished but enduring piece of san francisco history, illustrated with historic photographs and new artwork. Within six hours of him issuing the order two had already reopened. Painting of sutro baths located inside the cliff house.
We are pleased to make it available once again thanks to the sutro library. On march 14, 1896, the sutro baths were opened to the public as the worlds largest indoor swimming pool establishment. When we moved to the san francisco area in 1982, i was entranced by the the men and women of the. The colorful history and spectacular natural environment of san francisco s lands end are an unusual combination in a national urban park setting. Few topics elicit more curiosity and waves of nostalgia than san francisco s lost landmarks, and few of these landmarks remain as engrained in locals memories as sutro baths, the huge. The mindshattering mysteries of the sutro baths ruins. Sutro baths consisted of swimming pools, museums, arcades, and amusements at. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite. Sutro died in 1898, and while his family continued to manage the complex until it was sold in 1952, the great depression and tighter health restrictions had caused the baths popularity to dip.
Swimming with ghosts at the spectacular sutro baths. San francisco, california the coastal ruins of the sutro baths are impressive, overlooking seal rocks and in close proximity to the cityscape of san francisco. An example of this was the sutro baths built at what was then known as lands end at the western edge of san francisco pacific ocean. Opened in 1894, the baths contained seven swimming pools, a museum.
Theres ample public parking on two higher cliffs, a dining vantage point from the adjacent cliff house, and ramps and stairs descending down to the crumbling walls and sea cave. The giant glasscovered building with seven large heated pools was built by. Sutro baths san francisco san francisco travel guide. Book sutro baths this booklet is a reproduction of a souvenir that was originally published in 1914, and recalls adolph sutros grandest creation, sutro baths, in a wonderfully nostalgic way. Adolph sutro 18301898 museum of the city of san francisco. Sutro baths san francisco 2020 all you need to know. Located at the westernmost point of lands end, the sutro historic district encompasses sutro heights, the sutro bath ruins and the historic cliff house. Today the 100 acre sutro baths historic district is a derelict but compelling landscape. On 9th october 1984, san francisco s director of public health, mervyn silverman, ordered the closure of fourteen bathhouses in the city. The story is just fascinating and the pictures and descriptions of the sutro baths were just amazing. The dramatic history of san franciscos sutro baths.
Sf states new global museum to house sutros egyptian. Restaurants near sutro baths, san francisco on tripadvisor. Martini has written a guest blog post for whats on the 6th floor about writing his book and researching sutro baths at the san francisco history. There are many people bathing and diving into the swimming pool. Several places in san francisco bear his name in remembrance of his life and contributions to the city. Born a german jew, he moved to virginia city, nevada and made a fortune at the comstock lode. Jul 9, 2014 sutro baths interior of the sutro baths. A forgotten landmark a history of the sutro baths located in san francisco, ca. Adolph sutro, the selfmade millionaire who designed sutro heights and later the second cliff house, developed the amazing sutro baths in 1894. Sutro baths the sutro baths was a large indor swimming pool and museum built by adolph sutro in 1896. Wnp store western neighborhoods project san francisco. Like a majestic ocean liner or a grand hotel, the victorianera sutro baths. After working its way through its many lives playland, 1960s ice rink, etc burned down while being demolished on june 26, 1966. Get the most out of your visit to lands end with official park merchandise.
You can find these historic sites on the north end of ocean beach, where geary boulevard and the great. The mammoth undertaking is detailed like never before in a new book called. Available also through the library of congress web site as digital files. Stereoscopic views of cliff house, seal rocks, sutro heights and the sutro baths, san francisco. Sutro built to satisfy his interest in natural history. With his special interest in natural history and marine studies, he constructed an ocean pool aquarium among the rocks north of the cliff house.
This book gives a fantastic overview of the dream and the building. It was fire too that ultimately took down the sutro baths building in 1966, while the structure was in the midst of being converted into apartments. If you are planning a visit to the sutro baths national park buy this book they. The bathers are clad in black trunks, making fine contrast with the flesh tints. When the sutro baths first opened to the public in 1896, the west side of san francisco was a vast region of allbutunpopulated sand dunes. Expertly written, this lavishly illustrated book brings san francisco s sutro baths back to life. Even though it is a mere ruin today, the sutro baths have a rich history and a poignant story. A 50foot slide is used by the bathers, who toboggan down its slippery surface in all positions.
Sutro baths western neighborhoods project san francisco history. Adolph heinrich joseph sutro was born april 29, 1830. Set in the western part of the city on a cliff facing the ocean, the views afforded by the sutro baths were and still are impressive. Opened in 1896, sutro s baths was built by a man named adolph sutro, a millionaire who owned 112 of san francisco at the time, and had also served as mayor for a term. Adolph sutro 18301898 this is the complete text of a small book published in 1895 to honor the new mayor of san francisco, adolph sutro. A brief history of a brilliant life the complete text of a small book published in 1895 to honor the new mayor of san francisco, adolph sutro. This little book is a wonderful collection of beautiful pictures and a small treasure of info about the illfated baths.
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