Cliff House Project

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1868

This version of the Cliff House shows the original 1863 structure surrounded by additional wings on both sides.



Taber Photo
Note cables between shore and outcrops.  Click here for close-up.
Courtesy of Dennis O'Rorke Collection

 




Cliff House ca1890, A.J. McDonald
Courtesy of the John Martini Collection

 


Courtesy of Frank Mitchell

 

 

 


Courtesy of Glenn D Koch Collection
 

 


 

After considerable analysis the above photo is believed to date between 1887 (when the canal was built) and Dec 1894 (when the structure was destroyed by fire).  The bridge to Flag Rock is already destroyed.  This image points out structural comparisons.

 


"Cliff House and Shed" (stables)
by Thomas Houseworth & Co
Reverse is stamped: "HELEN D MOSELEY COLLECTION, NATIONAL STEREOSCOPIC ASSOCIATION"
John Martini estimates the date as 1868 (post expansion) to 1881 (predates Sutro's Norman castle addition to SE corner)
(see: full stereoview; reverse side)

 


A second photo presumably taken during the same photo shoot
Image courtesy of Frank Mitchell

 

 

 

 


 


A unique camera angle, as viewed from Flag Rock


 


Note the small structure where the road leaves the beach.  This is the only photo I've seen that shows it.
Image courtesy of Dennis O'Rorke




Extra credit to anyone who can identify the structure on the beach, foreground left side.

 


Courtesy of Frank Mitchell

 


Courtesy of Frank Mitchell

 


Harper's New Monthly Magazine, 1872
"CALIFORNIA - How to go There and What to See By The Way, by Charles Nordhoff"


 

This engraving was taken from a page of an old history book, Pecularities of American Cities by Captain Willard Glazier, 1886.  Engravings were common in books during the 19th century, before photos became more economical. The image was scratched into wood or metal and then used to make the print on the paper.

Update: this same engraving also appears in a book titled "The Golden State" by McClellan, published 1872


 


THE CLIFF HOUSE AND SUTRO PARK, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Drawn by Charles Graham
Harper's Weekly,  April 30 1887

 


Stoddard, 9-15-1893

 


 


This 1893 letterhead shows the existence of JM Wilkin's shell shop.  The later 1896 Cliff House also had a shell shop.
Courtesy of B. Richardson


 

An 1890c signed original California Watercolor by H. Arding (Born In California 1870),
Shows a blue sky and families enjoying the day at the Cliff House

Courtesy of Kristine Vessey
Email for sales information: kristinevessey@aol.com


 

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