Guide to the Thomas (Tom) M. King Papers
SJSU Library Special Collections and Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0028
Phone: (408) 808-2062
Fax: (408) 808-2063
Email: special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL: http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
© 2006
Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Thomas (Tom) M. King Papers
Collection number: MSS-2000-11
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
Phone: (408) 808-2062
Fax: (408) 808-2063
Email: special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL: http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
- Processed by:
- Jennifer E. Johnson
- Date Completed:
- 2006
- Encoded by:
- Jennifer E. Johnson
© 2006 Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Thomas (Tom) M. King papers
Dates: 1971-1995
Bulk Dates: 1972-1974
Collection number: MSS-2000-11
Collection Size:
2 boxes
1.2 linear feet
Repository:
San Jose State University. Library.
San Jose, California 95192-0028
Abstract: The Thomas (Tom) M. King Papers document King's commitment to historic preservation in San Jose, California. The bulk of the
collection documents King's work with the San Jose Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites from 1973 to 1974, which resulted
in the first complete inventory of historic buildings in San Jose, and included detailed records of buildings and homes by
planning district. The collection also highlights King's work with several other historic preservation projects in San Jose.
Physical location: Vault 1, Range 20B
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for
permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions
also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational
purposes.
Preferred Citation
Thomas (Tom) M. King papers, MSS-2000-11, San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives.
Processing Information
Processing completed by Jennifer E. Johnson, 2006. EAD encoding by Jennifer E. Johnson, 2006. Reviewed by Danelle Moon, 2006.
Biographical History
Tom M. King was born in Colusa County, California in 1940. King moved to San Jose in 1971, where he became involved in historic
preservation. In 1974, he received his Master's Degree in Historic Urban Geography from San Jose State University. King's
interest in historic preservation led him to coordinate and conduct the San Jose Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites
(SJSHAS) between 1973 and 1974. King's efforts resulted in the first comprehensive inventory of historic places completed
in San Jose. He later completed a similar survey of the city of Campbell while working for the Campbell City Historical Museum.
King founded the Victorian Preservation Association of Santa Clara in 1974; organized and operated annual historic downtown
bus tours at the San Jose Tapestry in Talent Festivals from 1976-1990; served as President of the Luther Burbank Neighborhood
Community Council; served on the board of the Preservation Action Council of San Jose for ten years; worked with the San Jose
Historic Landmark Commission; and acted as an advisor to Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon. King also taught high
school in the local area, as well as worked as a professional tour guide.
Scope and Content of Collection
In November of 2000, Tom M. King donated his papers to San Jose State University. This collection documents King's personal
and professional commitment to historic preservation in San Jose from 1971 to 1995. The bulk of the collection relates to
the San Jose Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites (SJSHAS), a city-sponsored project undertaken by King from 1972-1974.
King began advocating this project while pursuing his graduate studies at San Jose State University. He coordinated and administered
the operation of the SJSHAS survey and organized a volunteer staff. Other records include details of King's various activities
with other historic preservation organizations throughout the San Jose area. The collection is arranged in one series, consisting
of clippings, correspondence, inventories, maps, photographs, reports, and university coursework.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in one series, consisting of clippings, correspondence, inventories, maps, photographs, reports,
and university coursework.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Architecture--California--San Jose--Inventories
Historic Buildings--California--San Jose
Historic buildings--California--San Jose--Inventories
Historic preservation--California--San Jose
San Jose (Calif.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Inventories
San Jose (Calif.). Historic Landmarks Commission
Collection Contents
Series I:
Historic Preservation Work
1971-1995
1972-1974
Physical Description:
2 boxes
Series Scope and Content
The bulk of the collection relates to the San Jose Survey
of Historic & Archaeological Sites (SJSHAS), a city-sponsored
project undertaken by King from 1972-1974. The SJSHAS Survey Results
comprise the bulk of the collection, and are arranged by San Jose
planning area districts. This portion of the collection contains
detailed information about each property surveyed, including photographs,
architectural information, and ratings. The remainder of the collection
documents the various contributions King made to several other local historic
preservation projects.
Researchers interested in San Jose land-use history, as well as the
growth of the historic preservation movement in San Jose, will find this
collection very useful. King worked diligently to ensure that the people
of San Jose remained connected to their community history, and strived to
communicate the environmental benefits of historic preservation as well.
This series chronicles King's work in this field, which yielded San Jose's
first comprehensive historic property inventory, annual tours of San Jose's
historic downtown, and organized campaigns to save local landmarks.
The contents in this series document King's desire to bring awareness to
the issue of historic preservation. The series includes clippings,
correspondence, inventories, maps, photographs, reports, and university
coursework.
Arrangement
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject and format, then by date.
Contents within folders are arranged chronologically.
Box/Folder 1/1-1/7
Historic Preservation Projects-General
1971-1995
Box/Folder 1/1
Biographical Data
after 1971
Box/Folder 1/2
Clippings & Promotional Materials
circa 1975-1977
Box/Folder 1/4
Meeting Documentation
1974-1995
Box/Folder 1/5
Project Documentation-Historic Bus Tours
1972-1990
Box/Folder 1/6
Project Documentation-Murphy Building
circa 1973-1976
Box/Folder 1/7
University Coursework
1972-1974
Box/Folder 1/8-2/51
San Jose Survey of Historic & Archaeological Sites
1972-1995
Box/Folder 1/8
City Government Proceedings
1973-1974
Box/Folder 1/9
Clippings & Promotional Materials
circa 1973-1977
Box/Folder 1/13-1/17
Planning Documentation
1972-1995
Box/Folder 1/18
Progress Reports
1973-1974
Box/Folder 1/19
Publishing Materials
1974-1975
Box/Folder 1/20
Survey Evaluation Forms, Blank
after 1972
Box/Folder 1/21-2/38
Survey Results-Central San Jose
1973-1974
Box/Folder 1/25
Cook-Branham Addition
1973
Box/Folder 1/29
Lick-Goodyear Tracts
1973
Box/Folder 2/32
Original Survey-Central A
1973
Box/Folder 2/39-2/51
Survey Results-Central San Jose
1973-1974
