PBA Galleries

Engraved charter document with manuscript writing, approximately 17x21. With gold foil California State Seal and a blue and yellow ribbon affixed at lower left corner. Matted and in a vintage decorative wood frame.

This historic document, which was reportedly hung in Adolph Sutro's office, marks the official beginning of the Sutro Railroad and is a very important part of transportation and San Francisco history. Incorporated on July 28th, 1894, the Sutro Railroad Company was formed to provide access to Sutro Baths (which were to officially open in 1896) and Land's End in San Francisco. The street cars of the Sutro Railroad Company made their debut on February 1st, 1896 and it soon became a popular alternative, at only 5 cents, to the more expensive Southern Pacific steam train. A wonderful piece of San Francisco history documenting the feud between Sutro Railroad and Southern Pacific, and how the new transportation transformed Land's End into an important tourist destination, and enabled the early success of the Sutro Baths.