Shades of What Used to Be is a photograph by Laurie Search which was uploaded on September 15th, 2014.
Shades of What Used to Be
The Sutro Baths in San Francisco, CA........Wikipedia says this: On March 14, 1896, the Sutro Baths were opened to the public as the world's largest... more
Title
Shades of What Used to Be
Artist
Laurie Search
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography And Textured Photography
Description
The Sutro Baths in San Francisco, CA........Wikipedia says this: On March 14, 1896, the Sutro Baths were opened to the public as the world's largest indoor swimming pool establishment. The baths were built on the western side of San Francisco by wealthy entrepreneur and former mayor of San Francisco (1894–1896) Adolph Sutro..........The structure filled a small beach inlet below the Cliff House, also owned by Adolph Sutro at the time. Both the Cliff House and the former baths site are now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, operated by the United States National Park Service. The baths struggled for years, mostly due to the very high operating and maintenance costs. Shortly after closing, a fire in 1966 destroyed the building while it was in the process of being demolished. All that remains of the site are concrete walls, blocked off stairs and passageways, and a tunnel with a deep crevice in the middle. The cause of the fire was arson. Shortly afterwards, the developer left San Francisco and claimed insurance money..........The following statistics are from a 1912 article written by J. E. Van Hoosear of Pacific Gas and Electric. Materials used in the vast structure included 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2) of glass, 600 tons of iron, 3,500,000 board feet (8,300 m3) of lumber, and 10,000 cu yd (7,600 m3) of concrete..........The baths were once serviced by a rail line, the Ferries and Cliff House Railroad, which ran along the cliffs of Lands End overlooking the Golden Gate. The route ran from the baths to a terminal at California Street and Central Avenue (now Presidio Avenue)..........During high tides, water would flow directly into the pools from the nearby ocean, recycling the two million US gallons (7,600 m³) of water in about an hour. During low tides, a powerful turbine water pump, built inside a cave at sea level, could be switched on from a control room and could fill the tanks at a rate of 6,000 US gallons a minute (380 L/s), recycling all the water in five hours..........Facilities included: Six Salt water pools and one fresh water. The baths were 499.5 feet (152.2 m) long and 254.1 feet (77.4 m) wide for a capacity of 1,805,000 US gallons (6,830 m3). They were equipped with 7 slides, 30 swinging rings, and 1 spring board. A museum displaying an extensive collection of stuffed and mounted animals, historic artifacts, and artwork, much of which he acquired from the Woodward's Gardens estate sale in 1894. A 3700 seat amphitheater, and club rooms with capacity for 1100. 517 private dressing rooms. An ice skating rink.
Uploaded
September 15th, 2014
More from Laurie Search
Comments (46)
Mary Machare
Perfect title for this capture of a decaying public pool. Beautiful capture and processing, Laurie. LF fb tw
Lee Craig
I love that you've presented this image of history in such a beautiful, vintage way! I enjoyed the narrative very much! l/f
Laurie Search replied:
So glad you enjoyed it, Lee!! Thank you so, so much!!! I truly appreciate it!! :)))
Rob Luzier
What a impressive capture the detail and contrasting colors are awesome. what a great pov i can see this easily as a poster or a book cover or a billboard commercial back ground. Fantastic work.L/F
Marvin Blaine
Powerful piece Laurie! Love it! Adding my like now.
Laurie Search replied:
I'm so happy you love it, Marvin!! Thank you so very much!!! I truly appreciate it! :)))
Debby Pueschel
This must have truly been a magnificent place! It is one area I have wanted to visit, but have yet to visit! Beautiful work! F/L/Pint/t
Laurie Search replied:
Yes, I would have loved to have seen it when it was still standing and operational! Must have been gorgeous!! I hope you can visit this area soon!! :) Thank you very, very much!!! I really appreciate it!! :)))
Mary Wolf
How beautiful those gorgeous colors on the old foundation look against the grays and neutrals in the rest of the image. What a wonderful eye you have, Laurie, for seeing the beauty in the often overlooked! L/F
Laurie Search replied:
Aww, that's so nice of you, Mary!! Thank you so, so much!! I truly appreciate it!! :)))
Debby Pueschel
Wow! What an incredible story! I had absolutely no idea such things were there in SF. Next time, I am going to have to go there and see this Suytro Bath and what is left. Thank you so much for all of the information of this incredible icon! FLt
Laurie Search replied:
Oh, you're welcome for the info!!! You know, it's funny, I didn't know about this place until just about 6 years ago or so, even though I've lived in this area pretty much all my life!! :) Yes, it's definitely an interesting, wonderful place to see!! Thank you so very much, Debby!! I truly appreciate it!! :)))
Leland D Howard
Hi Laurie, my son lives in San Francisco and during a visit we went here. Looking at what you have done I regret not studying the area more carefully. You have created some very interesting work here with great textures and unique appeal.
Laurie Search replied:
Thank you so much for that wonderful compliment, Leland!! I really appreciate it!! :)))