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By Susan King


The City By the Bay has a fascinating and unusual history that makes it a wonderful place to visit. Millions of tourists do just that to ride the trolleys, stroll through Fisherman's Wharf and tour the other famous landmarks. Purchasing artwork that depicts the most iconic areas found in the city is very popular. Some choose the instantly recognizable Golden Gate Bridge, while others are more interested in the unusual and historical prints San Francisco dealers have in their shops.

One things a lot of visitors want to do is eat at the famous Cliff House. There a number of photos depicting the structure, that seems to teeter precariously above Ocean Beach. Adolph Sutro's renovation, which turned it into something reminiscent of a gingerbread house, is arguably the most famous. It would make a great memento of your time in this city.

Adolph Sutro, a mining engineer, who bought Cliff House and restored it to its most famous incarnation was also the force behind the famed Sutro Baths located just north of Cliff House. He began with a ocean pool aquarium that he expanded into the largest indoor bathhouse in the world. At one time Sutro Baths included seven pools, natural history exhibits, paintings, sculptures, and even Egyptian mummies. No longer in existence, the Baths can only be enjoyed in photographs.

If you enjoyed visiting the local markets here, you may want to purchase a print of Market Street as it appeared at the turn of the twentieth century. There is stunning photography depicting patrons in horse drawn carriages and trolleys. The Flat Iron Building is predominant in many of these photos.

Nob Hill was the height of sophistication and conspicuous wealth and nothing epitomized that as much as the Hopkins Mansion. San Franciscans of the time either loved it or hated it, and when it burned to the ground as a result of one of the fires created by the 1906 earthquake, people were said to have stood on the beach and applauded. Today it is a luxury hotel and a great reminder of past grandeur. It is a popular print in local shops.

San Francisco is no stranger to colorful characters, and one that is still remembered fondly today is Emperor Norton. The local citizenry accepted his eccentricities and looked forward to his latest proclamations and decrees. His reign as self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States lasted almost a quarter of a century. During that time he was a welcome guest at theaters and restaurants throughout the city.

There are numerous prints depicting the aftermath of the horrific earthquake of 1906 and the many fires that raged through the streets afterward. It may not be what San Franciscans want tourists to take away with them, but the photos are interesting and sobering. The Call Building and City Hall scenes are particularly striking.

There is no city quite like San Francisco. Instead of burying and denying its past, it has embraced it and made it part of the culture. This is one of the reasons people love to visit the City By the Bay and return again and again.




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