Sutro was a town, a tunnel, and a man. The well-planned community served as headquarters for the Sutro Drainage Tunnel. German-born Adolph Sutro came to the Comstock in 1860 and advocated a drainage tunnel, visualizing development of Comstock ore with this access. By 1865, his vision had gained approval through state and federal legislation, but the mining interests that had first supported the tunnel became strongly opposed. When construction began in 1869, mine workers first financed it because the tunnel would presumably improve mine safety, and later funding came from international bankers. Miners completed the main tunnel in 1878 and then extended lateral excavations that provided drainage, ventilation, and access to many Comstock mines. Work on the tunnel from its lower end created a town of 600-800 people with a church, post office, weekly newspaper, Sutro’s Victorian mansion, and other fine residences. Adolph Sutro soon sold his interest in the tunnel company and returned to San Francisco, where he served as mayor.