Sutro Heights in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
In Memory of Adolph Sutro
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 26, 2009
1. In Memory of Adolph Sutro Marker
Erected 1940 by Native Sons of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1938.
Location. 37° 46.78′ N, 122° 30.592′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Sutro Heights. Marker is on Point Lobos Avenue west of 48th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94121, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sutro Heights (a few steps from this marker); Lands End (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Carpet Beds
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is mounted on the western (right) lion's pedestal at the Point Lobos Avenue entrance of Sutro Heights Park.
Regarding In Memory of Adolph Sutro. • Adolf Sutro made his fortune not as miner, nor as a mine owner, but as a mining engineer. He incorporated the Sutro Tunnel Company in 1869 and subsequently designed and constructed the Sutro Tunnel, a drainage and ventilation system for the Comstock Lode silver mines. Sutro was able to charge mine owners large sums for access to the drainage, thus allowing for a greater extension of the mines, and also improving their safety.
• Sutro was the 24th Mayor of San Francisco, serving from 1894-1896.
Also see . . .
1. Sutro District. The NPS
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 26, 2009
2. Sutro Heights Park Entrance
The marker is visible on the right lion's pedestal, at the entrance of Sutro Heights Park.
2. Adolf Sutro. The NPS biography of Adolf Sutro, includes pictures and links to histories of sites linked to Sutro, such as Sutro Baths and the Cliff House. (Submitted on August 1, 2009.)
3. The Significance and History of the Adolf Sutro Historic District. Excerpts from the National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form prepared in 2000, providing a more in depth history of the area. (Submitted on August 1, 2009.)
3. Dedication Ceremony
NSGW Grand President Jesse Miller and Rosa Sutro Morbio (Adolph Sutro's daughter)
Photo courtesy of OpenSFHistory.org
Photo courtesy of OpenSFHistory.org
Photographed By Unknown, 1886
4. Entrance Gate to Sutro Heights, with Lions, 1886
From the National Park Service website: It appears that by around 1883 prominent gates marked both the main and private entrances. The main gate was a highly decorative wood structure more than 25 feet tall and flanked by two statues of reclining lions. This truss-like structure consisted of a central carriage entrance arch and half arches on each side for pedestrian passage, supported by decorative wood columns.
Unknown, provided courtesy of the National Park Service
5. Sutro Heights Gardens
From the NPS website:Numerous statues, planters, and fountains were located on the grounds at Sutro Heights. During his 1883 tour of Europe, Sutro arranged for the casting of more than 200 pieces of sculpture in Belgium, which were shipped from Antwerp to San Francisco in 1884.... Sutro's intent was for the statuary to provide accessible examples of European culture to the visitors in the park.
Unknown, Provided Courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey, circa 1885
6. Adolph Sutro, with his Sutro Heights Residence in Background
The large tower visible in the background was a water tower, which also doubled as an observatory. The structures were razed and removed in 1939.
US Army Signal Corps, Provided Courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey, 1928
7. Land's End Area from the Air
The above photo, taken in 1928, depicts a number of sites associated with Adolf Sutro, with the sites identified by red letters. The spot marked A is the approximate location of the marker, where the lions and gate were located. Point B is the grounds of Sutro Heights, with the residence still visible. Point C is the Cliff House. The structure visible in the picture is actually the 3rd Cliff House (built in 1909), its predecessors having burned down in 1894 and 1907, respectively. Point D is the Sutro Baths, a massive pool and entertainment complex, that opened in 1896. Also visible is Golden Gate Park, the dark strip running from the top middle of the picture to the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,406 times since then and 111 times this year. Last updated on July 24, 2022, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on June 18, 2017, by James King of San Miguel, California. 4, 5. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 6, 7. submitted on August 1, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
