The San Francisco call., 1896-03-07
SUTRO BATHS OPENING,
The Big Building Was Illumin
ated and Tested Last
Night.
Colonel T. P. Robinson Tells of the
Round of AmuSements to Be
Provided.

The Sutro Baths were illuminated for
the first time and tested in every way last
night by the Mayor and his managers. a
small party of friends was present and en-.
ioyed the imposing sight of the vast build
ing brilliant with a flood of electric light
and the comfortable sensation of being IN
temperature many degrees higher than
the normal cir outside. The most promi-
nent figure was Colenel T. P. Robinson,
the manager of Sutro's amusements.
What do you think of the sight?" he
asked, as he waved his hand toward the
galleries and the swimming tanks.
1--WE are not finished yet with the elec.
trio lights, for we shall put in more until
there are fifty-eight arc lamps and 1900 in
candescent lights in the building"
It. was, however, splendid electrical
display, with rows of arc lamps suspended
from the roofs, and the walls and promi-
nent outlines dotted with incandescent
glows.
The water in the tanks was heated for a
trial of the heating apparatus. In the large
tank the temperature was between 78 and
so degrees The lowest temperature in
the whole building was over the cold
fresh water tank, where it stood at 81. The
circulating gates were opened and closed.
and the water in the tanks was found to
move continuously. Everything was de-
clared in readiness for the grand opening
on March IA.
The programme for this notable event
will begin at Up. NJ. with the opening cere-
monies. At P. NJ. the tanks will be
thrown open to bathers and Cassasa's
band will discourse music all the after
| noon. By that date a band stand will
have been erected in the middle of the
building over the first small tank from the
entrance. In the evening the Olympics
will give an exhibition of an aquatic and
athletic nature in the building.
| "There will be double bathrooms ready
for $50 people," continued the colonel,
''clubroomS for 1850, and the seating, capa-
city will be 5000. Besides we will have
1000 chairs on the lower and upper prone
made, and there will pe still further room
| in the halls and the big restaurant. OuI
concessions In the baths will be attractive
features. The main one will be the restau-
rant conducted on the Louvre plan on
three floors, where people can have meals
or lunches at City prices and enjoy the
| concerts.
| ''rhere will be no bar in the building, as
all the liquors will be sold only at tables
The other concessions will be stereo
scopic panorama, an ice cream and candy
stand, the Edison parlor with phono
graphs, microscopes, etc., and q cigar
stand. Sutro's museum and art gallery
can be enjoyed by visitors free of charge
We have contracted with Cassasa to give
concerts every evening and matinee con
certs Sundays and Saturdays also. W.
are making arrangements to give opera.
such as 'Pinafore' Sunday and Saturday
afternoons on ship in the water, and ex
| pect to have the Tivoli company present
the operas.
"Outside the building most of the attrac
tions will be open on March Ia. They viii
be on Merry street, midway sixty fee
wide, for pedestrians only.
"The Firth wheel, mystic maze, haunted
swing and two-story hobby-horse. al
used in Paris. will be ready for visitors
AS soon as possible thereafter the Gamers
obscura, the Venetian canal and me
nagerie will be opened. The canal will b,
something like the scenic railway at til,
Midwinter Fair, only it will be cana
with boats which rush down the declines
and give sail of 1900 feet. There will b,
camels, donkeys and goats for children tt
ride. Then, when all these are in opera
ton, Mr.. Sutro will build large amphi
theater for fete days and target range TO-
the rifle companies and National Guard
The general plan is to offer permanent en-
! tertainment, the like of which was newe
before thought of in San Francisco"