Mini History of Sutro Baths

The Original Sutro Baths c1900.

During the years between the time it opened in 1898, and when it closed in 1966, Sutro Baths was a very special place to many thousands of people - including myself.
With its several swimming tanks which ranged in temperature from the "soup" tank to the "ice" tank, it was never a boring place.
There was also a very large pool for serious swimmers and a diving pool for serious divers.
In addition to the swimming, there was a great museum and many beautiful tropical plants inside the huge buildings.
In 1938, the large pool was converted to an ice skating rink leaving only five of the smaller tanks for swimming. It remained that way until 1957, when swimming was eliminated altogether.
The skating rink was popular place for several more years, but by 1966, the condition of the buildings was so bad and business so poor, the whole place was shut down. Sutro Baths closed forever on February 27, 1966.
In November of that same year, a fire destroyed almost all of the complex. What was left after the fire was demolished.

Sutro Baths in 1952.

This view from the hill across the street shows Sutros at about the time it was sold to Whitney Bros. 9-1-52. At the time, there was great concern that it might not sell and would be closed. Whitney Brothers owned Playland at the Beach, another favorite place for San Franciscans.

Sutro Baths promonade.

Sutros was reportedly the world's largest natatorium. Tropical plants thrived inside the buildings.

Small pools (tanks)

Swimming was the only activity at Sutro Baths from 1898 until 1937-38 when ice skating was added. When the "baths" closed in 1966, swimming had been absent from the scene for more than a decade.

Big and little pools.

This photo shows the big pool and to the right can be seen a glimpse of the smaller tanks, as they were called. In 1938, part or all of the big pool was covered over and made into an ice skating rink.

Ice Skating under the palms.

This c1938 photos looks down on the ice rink at Sutro Baths.

Sutro Baths from the west in 1966.

Taken in 1966 after the baths were closed, but before the fire, this photo serves as a good comparison to the final photo of this series and also to the fire scene.

Sutro Baths on Fire.

In November of 1966 fire destroyed Sutro Baths, putting an end to nearly seven decades of enjoyment for San Franciscans. Although the baths had been closed for nine months, the fire removed all hope that it would ever open again.

Site of the former Sutro Baths.

This very recent photo, taken from the rear of the Cliff House, is little changed from 1967 after the charred remains of the baths had been removed.

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