Mark Hopkins was one of the `Big Four` in the Central Pacific Railroad in 1861 and became very wealthy.
His wife, Mary Sherwood, who is also his first cousin, it was her idea to build their home in the Nob Hill area, to be close to the other three members. This home was not completed until 1878, two years after he died. This included a tower, at the time the highest point in the city. Because of this, famed photographer Eadweard Muybridge used it to photograph a panoramic of the city from up there.
Mary remarried, to Edward Searles, who, after the death of Mary, donated the building and land to the San Francisco Art Institute.
When hotel investor George Smith ultimately purchased the location, he had the Arts building removed and put up the luxury hotel instead.
As seen 7 December 2022.
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