People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1894 — CLIFF HOUSE BURNED. [ARTICLE]

CLIFF HOUSE BURNED.

Destruction by Fire of a Famous Califor nia Resort. San Francisco, Dec. 26.— The Cliff house was burned Tuesday night, and Adolph Sutro’s big bath house, recently completed at a cost of $500,000, was threatened with destruction. There are no means for fighting fire at the Cliff house, and the nearest fire engine is about 4 miles away. The fire began at about 8:30 and at 9:30 the structure was a mass of ruins. The fire had uncontrolled headway and speedily burned itself out. The baths are no longer in danger. The monetary loss is not great, probably not over $20,000. [The Cliff house had a world-wide reputation, as it overlooked the seal rooks It was part of the possessions of Adolph Sutro, San Francisco’s mayor-elect. The buildings were fine structures and were used as restaurants saloons and curio shops. In addition, there were wide balconies from which the seals coulcl be viewed. About 100 feet to the north are the new salt-water baths, and connecting the two buildings was a row of sheds and fences. The baths are immense frame structures capaable of holding 2,000 people, and are the largest in the world. They have been in course of construction for three years, and a month ago were opened to the public. On the heights, above the Cliff house, are Mr. Sutro's private residence and magnificent grounds, the latter of which are open constantly as a park to the public. The Cliff house buildings were built about thirty years ago, and no visitor ever went away from San Francisco without first going there and looking at the seals.]