Guide to the George F. Hodges Collection
2009.76
Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Henry
History San Jose Research Library
1650 Senter Road
San Jose, CA, 95110
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
09/03/2010
Note
The original guide was created in MS Word by Elizabeth Henry; the online guide was created using Archivists Toolkit by Catherine
Mills.
Title: George F. Hodges Collection
Identifier/Call Number: 2009.76
Contributing Institution:
History San Jose Research Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.0 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1940-1945
Date (inclusive): 1927-1978
Abstract: This collection contains materials related to the family of George F. Hodges, with a significant contribution of materials
from his daughter, Grace Evelyn Wahrer (nee Hodges). Many of the materials relate primarily to the Hodges’ experience in the
WWII home front in San Jose. Hodges was active in the San Jose community and in the San Jose Defense Council as a Senior Precinct
Warden. Included in this collection are photographs of the Wahrer family, recipes, a substantial assemblage of play and concert
programs, posters and ticket stubs, and newspaper clippings from attended shows, as well as magazines, newsletters, newspaper
clippings of the “When Santa Clara County Was Young” column, and various other ephemera.
Language of Materials note: The bulk of the materials are in English, some in Chinese.
creator:
Hodges, George F., 1887-1971
Scope and Contents note
This collection contains materials related to the family of George F. Hodges, with a significant contribution of materials
from his daughter, Grace Evelyn Wahrer (nee Hodges). Many of the materials relate primarily to the Hodges’ experience in the
WWII home front in San Jose. Hodges was active in the San Jose community and in the San Jose Defense Council as a Senior Precinct
Warden. Included in this collection are photographs of the Wahrer family, recipes, a substantial assemblage of play and concert
programs, posters and ticket stubs, and newspaper clippings from attended shows, as well as magazines, newsletters, newspaper
clippings of the “When Santa Clara County Was Young” column, and various other ephemera.
The collection has been arranged into four series reflecting the different time periods and activities in Hodges' life.
Preferred Citation note
George F. Hodges Collection, 2009-76, History San Jose Research Library, San Jose, California 95112-2599.
Conditions Governing Use note
Property rights reside with History San Jose. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact History San Jose
Research Library.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to the public for research by appointment.
Processing Information note
The collection was processed by Elizabeth Henry in 2010.
Biographical/Historical note
George Franklin Hodges (1887-1971) was born on December 5, 1887, in Warrensburg, Ohio, living in Delaware County until 1910
when, at the age of 23, he moved to Bowles near Fresno, California. Here, Hodges worked in fruit and dairy farming until,
in 1914, he completed a business course at the Fresno Heald’s Busines College. Hodges then accepted an accounting position
with the Santa Fe Railroad where he worked for three years, then moved on to a position at Sun Maid Raisin Growers where he
worked for eight years in charge of Plant Accounting and Auditing. In 1927, Hodges moved with his family to San Jose where
he spent 12 years in the accounting department of a large canning and dried fruit company. During World War II, Hodges was
active in San Jose Civilian Defense, serving as a precinct captain for San Jose Precinct 145. After the war, Hodges was appointed
to a position as Auditor for the United States Maritime Commission in Richmond, California, then transferring to the National
Housing Agency in Vallejo, California where he remained until retirement. Hodges married Laura “Audie” Helen Bagby (1887-1968?)
on July 7, 1914 in Fresno, CA. The Hodges had four children, all born in Fresno County - Grace “Evelyn” Hodges, George “Wilfred”
Hodges, Warren Franklin Hodges and Mary Leona Hodges.
Grace “Evelyn” Hodges (1915- ) was born in Fresno County. She moved to San Jose in 1927 with her family. Evelyn completed
two years at San Jose State College and worked at the O.A. Hale department store before she married Lee Edward Wahrer in 1940.
The Wahrers had 3 children, all born in San Jose, CA – Sharon Lee Wahrer, Jo Ann Wahrer and Debra Lynn Wahrer.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The collection was donated by Debbie Avant in December 2009.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Kaiser Industries Corporation.
Permanente Cement Company.
Wahrer, Grace Hodges, ("Evelyn"), 1915-
Wahrer, Lee Edward
Civil defense
Commonwealth Club of California
Concerts
San Jose State University
Santa Clara County (Calif.)
Theaters
World War, 1939-1945
World War II
1940-1945
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(5 folders and one small box)
War-related Ephemera
1940-1945
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Includes various items related to the home front during WWII in Santa Clara County, CA such as ration books, Selective Service
classification cards, various mailing and publications, war saving stamps books and unused stamps, etc.
Commonwealth Club of California
1942-1943
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Includes a letter and enclosed card soliciting enrollment in active service and in one of the club’s War Service committees,
as well as six copies of "The Commonwealth: Official Journal of the Commonwealth Club of California."
Civilian Defense Materials
1941-1942
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
(2 folders and 1 small box)
Scope and Contents note
Includes 2 folders and one small box of materials and communication related to George F. Hodges' position as a Precinct Warden
in the San Jose Defense Council.
Recipes
1940-1945
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Recipes clipped from newspapers, magazines and products containers related to war-time food preparation. Also contains a Victory
Garden Guide published by Standard Oil Company of California.
Work, Education and Civic Involvement
1930-1960
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(4 folders)
Santa Clara County Forum
1928-1944
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence, a roster of members, and minutes, mainly comprising of a list of resolutions, from the Forum.
Permanente Cement Company & Kaiser Industries publications, etc.
1947-1950
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Various publications and materials distributed by the Permanente Cement Company and Kaiser Industries.
American Steel Institute Publications
1945-1960
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Several issues of the "Steel Facts" publication as well as some publication inserts.
Education/school related materials
1930-1952
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Materials related to education and schooling in San Jose, CA. Materials from San Jose Public Schools' Department of Adult
Education, San Jose High School, San Jose State College (San Jose State University), and the San Jose State College alumni
organization.
Concert and Performance Attendance Paraphenalia
1934-1955
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(3 folders)
Concert and performance newspaper clippings
1939-1950
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Clippings from local newspapers related to various performances attended by Grace “Evelyn” Wahrer and guests in the San Jose
area.
Event programs, posters, souvenir magazines, and ticket stubs
1938-1955
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Programs, posters, souvenir magazines, and ticket stubs from concerts, performances, speeches and other events in the San
Jose area. Some materials are autographed.
Scrapbook of local concerts and performances
1934-1938
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
(1 scrapbook)
Scope and Contents note
One scrapbook containing programs, newspaper clippings, and ticket stubs from local concerts and performances.
Ephemera
1927-1945
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(4 folders)
Ephemera
1935-1978
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Business cards, rulers, concrete calculator, nail file books, and ad cards from Santa Clara County businesses; sample ballots,
campaign posters, items from the Santa Clara County Fair, etc.
Correspondence
1927-1945
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Includes 1 postcard and 2 letters. The postcard was addressed to Mary Leona Hodges and the letters to Grace “Evelyn” Wahrer.
Newsletters and publications
1943-1950
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Various newsletters and publications from PG&E, California Sate Automobile Association, Reliance Life Insurance, Goodwill
and Joshua Hendy Iron Works.
Magazines
1941-1942
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Copies of Newsweek, Better Homes and Gardens, Fortune, and McCalls.
“When Santa Clara County Was Young” clippings
1941-1942
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear feet
Scope and Contents note
Nearly continuous collection of newspaper clippings from the Santa Clara Evening News column.