What Cheer House

Site of
What Cheer House

This is the site of the famouse What Cheer House,
a unique hotel opened in 1852 by R. B. Woodward
and destroyed by the fire of 1906. The What
Cheer House catered to men only, permitted
no liquor on the premises, and housed San
Francisco's first free library and free museum.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 650

Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission
in cooperation with the California Historical Society
and the American Trust Company, April 24, 1959.