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Building History

The Railroad House opened in 11/1854 and portrayed itself as a large, first-class hotel for travelers to Gold Rush San Francisco. (See Colville's San Francisco Directory 1856-1857, Volume I, [San Francisco: Samuel Colville, 1856] p. 180.) An 1854 advertisement in the Southern Californian newspaper said of the establishment: “This house is now open for the accommodation of the traveling public. For cleanliness, air and comfort, it is not surpassed on the Pacific, and one trial is a sufficient guarantee for continued patronage. Attached to the House are two RESTAURANTS 120 feet long, extending from Commercial to Clay street, and will accommodate 200 persons at one time. The Floors and Tables are all Marble, and everything to correspond, and they now have the most complete arrangement for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea in San Francisco and will be conducted upon the most liberal terms, being confident that liberality secures patronage. The Hotel part of the House is kept upon the European plan. Barber Shop and Bath Rooms are attached. Entrance to the Hotel or Restaurants, 87 Clay street, and 48 Commercial, near Battery.” Haley and Thompson were the proprietors of the Railroad House between at least 1854 and 1856. (See Railroad House advertisement, Southern Californian, 12/21/1854, p. 2 and Colville's San Francisco Directory 1856-1857, Volume I, [San Francisco: Samuel Colville, 1856] p. 180.)

Architect Thomas Boyd designed both the International House Hotel and the Railroad House Hotel in early San Francisco, CA.

PCAD id: 17405