Check out our store under the Souvenirs & Memorabilia > U. Estate sale find, vintage original San Francisco CA Real Estate History Adolph Sutro Lakeview Development Letters. In the mid-1800s, Ocean Avenue was a dirt road in the countryside, used by those who came for recreational purposes both innocent and illegal. Some came to pick the amazing fields of wild flowers, others came to pick horses and dogs at the gambling tracks. Despite the fact that the City Jail itself stood on the road, slightly disreputable businesses along the Ocean Road included boxing camps, shooting ranges, bars, and a roadhouse that gave the neighborhood a name. In 1890 Adolph Sutro, who owned most of the land immediately north and south of Ocean, attempted to change that with a promoted subdivision he called “Lakeview”. Sutro did his best to pump up enthusiasm for potential home-buyers, calling the humble Ocean Road “the Grand Ocean Boulevard, ” and pointing out that Lakeview was the only site in San Francisco having a marine and bay view. He put out detailed line drawings showing street improvements and tree-plantings. Lakeview evidently wasn’t a roaring success, however. PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTION AND PHOTOS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS – The item appears to be in overall Fair to Good Minus used condition, signs of wear, creases, fading, tears, chipping, sunning and age toning, soiling, stains, writing, no odors, please see images.