Galloping into History: The Tale Behind Our Lobby Mural

San Francisco is full of stories, but one of the coolest—by far—starts with a horse, a big bet, and a guy named Leland Stanford. Yes, the same Leland Stanford whose name is on the fancy university and (of course) The Stanford Court Hotel.

Let's set the scene: It’s the 1870s. Leland Stanford, a railroad tycoon and former governor of California, had a burning question that sparked a debate among his friends: Does a horse ever lift all four hooves off the ground when it runs? No one knew for sure - slow-mo cameras were not a thing back then. But Stanford wasn’t about to let it go. He put money on the line and set out to prove it.

The Bet That Changed Everything

Enter Eadweard Muybridge, a photographer Stanford hired to crack the case. Muybridge came up with an ingenious plan. He lined up a bunch of cameras along a racetrack and attached tripwires to each one. When Stanford’s prized horse galloped past, the cameras captured a series of photos showing the horse mid-stride.

And guess what? Stanford was right—the horse’s hooves did leave the ground! But that’s not the best part. Muybridge’s experiment didn’t just settle a bet; it created something revolutionary. When he played the photos in quick succession, it looked like the horse was actually moving. Boom—the first motion picture was born.

From a Horse Gallop to Hollywood

Think about it: A random bet over horse hooves eventually led to movies, Netflix binges, and all the TikToks you’ve ever scrolled. Amazing. Muybridge’s “The Horse in Motion” is now considered one of the first steps toward modern filmmaking.

Stop and Look Up in Our Lobby

If this story sounds familiar, you might’ve already noticed something in our lobby. That mural? Yep, it’s inspired by Stanford’s famous horse bet and Muybridge’s groundbreaking photos. Next time you’re here, take a moment to check it out. It’s our way of tipping our hat to a moment that changed history—right here in the Bay Area.

Why It Matters

The best part about this story is it captures the spirit of San Francisco—curious, creative, and a little bit bold. That’s exactly what you’ll feel when you stay at Stanford Court. From our tech-forward amenities to our nods to history, everything here celebrates the mix of innovation and tradition that makes this city so special.

So the next time you get content for your social media or hit play on a movie, remember the horse that started it all. And hey, maybe take a stroll through our lobby to soak in some history.

Stay curious. Stay inspired. Stay at The Stanford Court Hotel.