[5][6] In 1881, Adolf Sutro purchased 22 acres (8.9 ha) of undeveloped land south of Point Lobos (San Francisco) and north of Ocean Beach at the western edge of the city.

It included a promontory overlooking the Pacific, with scenic views of the Marin Headlands, Mount Tamalpais, and the Golden Gate.

The grounds consisted of a spacious turreted mansion, a carriage house, and outbuildings set in expansive gardens.

[10] To provide inexpensive transportation for visitors to these he built a passenger steam train from downtown San Francisco to Lands End.

[11] Adolph Sutro died in 1898, land rich but cash poor following his frustrating tenure as Mayor of San Francisco.