SFHS presents Sutro's Glass Palace with John Martini 

In the early 1950's one summer I was a swimmer in the "Sutro" Aquacades. I have vague memories of the dressing rooms but they were dark and spooky. So I'd towel off and throw my clothes on over my swim suit. After the baths closed I started taking ice skating lessons. Once a week I would travel on the "N" street car to 48th Ave and catch a bus up to Sutro's. That's where I'd meet with my ice skating teacher, Rosemary Bilk, who worked for the SF Ice Capades. After my lessons I'd walk up that long flight of stairs, passed all the exotic plants to the street level and my mom would pick me up and take me home. We lived on 26th Avenue in the Sunset district. I remember the Maritime Museum, The Last Super and the Tom Thumb exhibits and the many pictures and Nickelodeons that lined the 2nd and 3rd floor levels. Fun memories...

I lived near San Francisco for 35 years and visited the cliff house many times but this is the first time I have understood what I'm really looking at as I view the ruins of the old Sutro Baths. It's amazing that the original sea wall is still in place, though much deteriorated. Thank you for such an interesting and detailed history of the area.

Fascinating.. an exuberant place of high times and hijinks for sure

This was great. Thank you! Saw listing in the calendar of the May Noe Valley Voice. I moved to San Francisco in 1984 and have always wished I was around in the quirky days of Sutro Baths.

I used to ice skate there in the early 60s I use to live on Hayes and Divisadero I’d take the 21 Hayes bus there and go to playland to catch the bus back home, it was a dream come true. laughing Sally

thank you for the history from a native san franciscan. Went to the baths when I was a kid ;)

I’ve watched this more than once , and I know I’ll watch it again , it’s a first class documentary … there is a movie called ,”The Lineup “, towards the end of the movie, there is a scene using Sutro’s exterior and some really incredible interior scenes , the whole movie is a time capsule of old SF …

...thx for this... I remember this too all the old stuff in there was fun to see..1960ish...

Good job John! Ray here, alcatraz maintenance 1994- 2018

Did anyone found out what was behind that door that was found carved within the the rock? Can't find any news regarding that

Id buy playland for 5 million if i had it in 1980. I've never been to sanfancisco

Am I the only one who thinks that John closing his eyes while he speaks is a bit odd?