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Overview

The What Cheer House operated as a hotel in San Francisco from 1852 until its destruction in the Great Earthquake and Fire of 04/18/1906. In 1861, the hotel had the address 527-529 Sacramento Street. (See San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1861, p. 347.)From at least 1852 until 1868, R.B. Woodward operated it as its proprietor. The What Cheer Restaurant stood at 525 Sacramento by 1868. The hotel also had its own laundry, as well, run by A.J. Baker in that year. (See San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1868, p. 568.)

Building Notes

According to the State of California Historical Landmark plaque standing at the hotel's site: "The What Cheer House catered to men only, permitted no liquor on the premises, and housed San Francisco's first free library and first museum."