Financial District in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of What Cheer House

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 18, 2010

1. Site of What Cheer House Marker

Inscription. This is the site of the famous What Cheer House, a unique hotel opened in 1852 by R. B. Woodward and destroyed by the fire of 1906. 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.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 650

Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the California Historical Society and the American Trust Company, April 24, 1959.

Erected 1959 by California State Park Commission, the California Historical Society, American Trust Company. (Marker Number 650.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 24, 1838.

Location. 37° 47.627′ N, 122° 24.13′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is at the intersection of Leidesdorff Street and Sacramento Street on Leidesdorff Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Alexander Leidesdorff (a few steps from this marker); Wells, Fargo & Co.

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(within shouting distance of this marker); "The Family" (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of California (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (about 300 feet away); Hudson's Bay Company (about 400 feet away); Bank of Italy (about 400 feet away); Commander John B. Montgomery's Landing Site (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . William Tecumseh Sherman (1820 - 1891). In their treatment of General William Tecumseh Sherman, the Virtual Museum of San Francisco notes in passing a famous visitor to the What Cheer House, U.S. Grant: "...Capt. Ulysses Grant resigned his commission in the army, July 31, 1854, at Fort Humboldt, north of San Francisco, because his commanding officer said his weakness for liquor was cause for court martial or resignation. Capt. Grant then came to San Francisco and lived at the What Cheer House, a temperance hotel, just six blocks from Sherman’s bank." (Submitted on July 20, 2010.)

What Cheer House (1866) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lawrence and Houseworth (Publisher), 1866

2. What Cheer House (1866)

This depiction of the What Cheer House (center of photo, to the left of the Original House) is half of a stereographic print, published by Lawrence and Houseworth as part of their Gems of California Scenery series. Image is courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Site of What Cheer House Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 18, 2010

3. Site of What Cheer House Marker - Wide View

The marker is mounted on the back side of a Wells Fargo bank, on Leidesdorff Street (an alley,really) intersects Sacramento Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,877 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.