Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Related Materials
Provenance
Biographical/Historical note
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Title: Jack Morrison Papers
Date (bulk): 1966-1969
Date (inclusive): 1962-1988
Collection Identifier: SFH 24
Creator:
Morrison, Jack, 1922-1991
Physical Description:
2 boxes
(1.33 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Memoranda, notes, reports, resolutions, correspondence, and newspaper clippings documenting Morrison's service as a San Francisco
Supervisor, particularly during his second term from 1966-1969. Includes some post-supervisorial, civic and consultant business
activities.
Physical Location: The collection is stored off-site. A minimum of two working days' notice is required for use.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San Francisco Public Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public
Library as the owner of the physical items and the copyright.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Jack Morrison Papers (SFH 24), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Related Materials
Researchers are encouraged to see also the San Francisco Charter Commission Records (SFH 25), the San Francisco History Center's
poster collection, subject and biographical files, Mayoral Papers, and the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection;
and to check the library catalog for related materials. Some items have been moved to the library’s book collection.
Provenance
The Jack Morrison Papers were donated to the San Francisco Public Library by his widow, Jane Morrison, in two accessions,
in 2005 and 2008.
Biographical/Historical note
Jack Morrison was a central figure in the founding and growth of liberal Democratic and neighborhood organizations that came
to dominate San Francisco's political life. Known as a grass-roots-citizen-politician who stood for principle, integrity,
and comity in civic life, Morrison was a pioneer in urban environmentalism, leading successful fights to protect the San Francisco
waterfront from overdevelopment and to increase accessibility to Golden Gate Park. He led the fight against downtown development
and the move to tear down the Embarcadero Freeway. He also advocated for the less-fortunate.
Born in 1922 in Mustang, Colorado, Morrison grew up on a farm in Missouri, served in the Navy during World War II, and received
his undergraduate degree from Cornell University. After completing a Master's degree in creative writing at Stanford University,
he spent 10 years as a journalist with the
San Francisco Chronicle, covering city and state government. Elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1961, he served two terms until 1969. As chairman
of the Supervisors' Social Services Committee, Morrison authored legislation establishing the San Francisco Juvenile Delinquency
Prevention Commission. He ran, unsucessfully, for mayor against Joseph Alioto in 1967. See the History Center's poster collection
for campaign posters.
Following his years on the Board of Supervisors, he served on the Port Commission, the 1980 Charter Revision Committee (as
Vice Chair), Social Services Commission, Mayor's Blue Ribbon Laguna Honda Hospital Long-Range Planning Committee, San Francisco
Equal Opportunity Council, and the Governor's California Study Commission on Mental Retardation. He served on numerous boards
including the Family Service Agency of San Francisco, YMCA, Council for Civic Unity, and San Francisco Tomorrow. He was also
an instructor in urban policy and urban communication at San Francisco State University.
Morrison was married to Jane Morrison, who is a past Women's Chair for the California Democratic Party, past chair and current
member of the San Francisco Democratic Party (County Central Committee), and past president of San Francisco Tomorrow. She
also served 13 years on the City's Human Service Commission, chaired the Friends of Human Rights Commission, and was president
of the Port's Waterfront Advisory Committee. Jane was the community affairs and editorial director for KNBR-NBC Radio for
17 years, managing groundbreaking affirmative action programs. A longtime champion for a cleaner environment, working families,
and public transportation, she continues her advocacy for high-speed rail.
Jack Morrison died on Dec. 7, 1991. Mayor Art Agnos described Morrison as the "embodiment of public service…He always spoke
to the values and principles that have made San Francisco known as a city of conscience and his contributions left this city
better than when he found it."
Scope and Contents
This collection documents Morrison's service as a San Francisco Supervisor, especially during his second term (1966-1969).
The donor mentioned that a number of documents were discarded. Also covered are some post-supervisorial, civic and consultant
business activities. During this period, the city was experiencing tension in many areas, particularly over growth and redevelopment
issues.
Materials include memoranda, notes, reports, resolutions, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. Subjects include waterfront
development and the Port, freeways, housing, gun control, and redevelopment. Of special interest are Morrison's Charter Revision
Commission journal entries, including notes documenting his personal direct mail efforts on behalf of the campaign, and an
entry (on Aug. 17, 1980) noting his happiness with the overall charter document but also listing its deficiencies. The measure,
Proposition A, failed by a vote of 46 percent to 54 percent on Nov. 4, 1980 but was the basis for the eventual successful
charter reform measure, Proposition E, on Nov. 7, 1995.
Arrangement
The material is organized into one series, Legislative and Issue Files, which is arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Morrison, Jack, 1922-1991 -- Archives
San Francisco (Calif.). Board of Supervisors.
City planning--California--San Francisco
Land use--California--San Francisco
San Francisco (Calif.)--Politics and government--20th century
Urban renewal--California--San Francisco
Waterfronts--California--San Francisco