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Overview

San Francisco businessman and former Mayor Adolph Sutro opened the Sutro Baths in 1896, the largest indoor swimming pool complex in the world, near his famous Cliff House Hotel and Restaurant. The huge pool and aquarium burned in 1966.

Building History

Aachen, Germany-born businessman, mining magnate and real estate investor Adolph Heinrich Joseph Sutro (1830-1898) financed the construction of this huge, Neoclassical public pool at a cost of about $800,000. It opened on 03/14/1896 on San Francisco's western beaches. The complex contained seven different swimming pools containing 1.7 million gallons of seawater. Each pool was maintained at a different temperature, and fed by natural tidal flows. The facility could accommodate 10,000 people.

The baths were put up for auction by the Sutro Estate in 1913.

In later years, owners renovated the bathouse into an ice-skating rink, although this was not successful. High-rise apartments were planned for the site by 1964, although arsonists burned the place down during the demolition process. After the fire, the construction project stalled, leaving only the Sutro Baths' concrete outlines.

Building Notes

In 1896, the Sutro Baths were open daily between 7 am and 11 pm. Admission cost 10 cents for adults, children, 5 cents, except on Saturday between 7 am and 6 pm, when admission was free. In 12/1896, the Sutro Baths advertised free concerts during the afternoon and evening. (See Sutro Baths advertisement, San Francisco Chronicle, 12/16/1896, p. 14.)

Demolition

The Sutro Baths burned in an arson fire in 1966.

PCAD id: 1060