Description
Incoming correspondence (1853-1899), mostly relating to the Sutro Tunnel and the
Pacific Railroad Funding Bill; and 66 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings (1866-1898)
documenting the major interests of Sutro's business and political career. Major
correspondents include Theodore Sutro, J.M. Bassett, F.B. Perkins, and Charles A.
Sumner. Scrapbooks include 25 volumes concerning construction of the Sutro Tunnel;
14 volumes documenting Sutro's battle with the Southern Pacific Railroad over the
Pacific Railroad Funding Bill, which Sutro opposed; 17 volumes dealing with San
Francisco political events and issues during Sutro's term as mayor; and 7 volumes
covering miscellaneous political and business topics, and San Francisco social life.
The collection also includes deeds, contracts, and leases for landholdings and other
property; three check-receipt books (1890-1893); receipts and bills for services and
purchases made for Sutro Heights, Sutro Baths, and Sutro's other property; and other
miscellaneous documents and papers.
Background
Sutro was a San Francisco businessman and mining engineer who made his fortune
constructing the Sutro Tunnel at the Comstock Lode in Nevada. He served as mayor of
San Francisco from 1894-1896.
Extent
4 boxes, 30 flat boxes, 3 oversize volumes
(18 linear feet)
Restrictions
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials
must be submitted in writing to the Director of Library and Archives, North Baker
Research Library, California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco,
CA 94105. Consent is given on behalf of the California Historical Society as the
owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from
the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Availability
CHS is not taking appointments for research at this time. Please check the Library's website updates: https://californiahistoricalsociety.org/collections/north-baker-research-library/