Finding Aid to the George Christopher Papers, 1950-2000 (bulk 1956-1963), SFH 7

Finding aid written by Tami J. Suzuki. Originally created in 2001. Revised in 2009 and 2022 to accommodate additional accessions.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
March 29, 2022


Title: George Christopher Papers
Date (inclusive): 1950-2000
Date (bulk): 1956-1963
Collection Identifier: SFH 7
Creator: Christopher, George
Physical Description: 69 boxes, 1 flat file (53 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: The collection documents the two-term administration of San Francisco Mayor George Christopher during the years 1956 to 1964, and to a lesser extent his early years as a Supervisor and his post-mayoral years. Materials include memoranda, reports, correspondence, photographs, films, audio recordings, and newspaper clippings.
Physical Location: The collection is stored off-site.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English, with a few newspaper clippings in Greek, Russian, and Japanese.

Access

The collection is open for research. A minimum of two working days' notice is required for use. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. Please call the San Francisco History Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.

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], George Christopher Papers (SFH 7), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Provenance

This collection has been received in five accessions. The first accession, received prior to 1995, was transferred from City Hall; this is the bulk of the collection. A second accession of materials was received from George Christopher's estate in 2003. These included campaign materials, photographs, audio/visual materials, scrapbooks and loose newspaper clippings, plaques and certificates, and Christopher Dairy Farms items. A third accession of loose newspaper clippings, event programs, and gubernatorial campaign ephemera was received from Christopher's family in 2008. A fourth accession was received from the University of the Pacific in 2018. This consisted of real estate transfers and correspondence. The fifth accession was received from the estate of John H. Anderson in 2019. This covered urban renewal and municipal management.

Related Materials

Researchers are encouraged to see also the San Francisco History Center's subject and biographical files, other Mayoral Papers, and the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection; and to check the catalog holdings of the San Francisco Public Library for related materials. The San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection houses the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photograph Archive, which includes photographs documenting Christopher's time in office.

Related Archival Materials

Researchers are encouraged to see a related collection at The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley: The San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Newspaper Photograph Archive, ca. 1915-1965 (BANC PIC 1959.010—NEG) which has approximately 270 negatives of Mayor Christopher.

Materials Transferred

Photographs have been transferred to the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection.

Technical Requirements

Several 16mm films were transferred to digital video discs. A few ¼" audiotape reels were transferred to compact discs, as was a 78 rpm record.

Biographical/Historical Note

George Christopher was born on December 8, 1907 to James and Mary Christopheles in Arcadia, Greece. Mary and her son joined James in San Francisco when George was a young boy. His father had a small market located south of Market Street. Christopher's father became ill when George was a teenager, so he worked during the day while earning his high school diploma and an accounting degree by night. He established an accounting office and married the former Tula Sarantitis. In the mid-1930s, he founded what would eventually become Christopher Dairy Farms and later became a millionaire. Christopher's involvement in the Greek community began with his membership in the American Hellenic Education and Progress Association. His business and civic participation with fellow Greeks would lead to their solid political support.
At one point a registered Democrat, Christopher was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1945 and later re-registered as a Republican. He served ten years as a supervisor, becoming President of the Board in 1950. In his first mayoral bid in 1951, he lost to Elmer Robinson. He then spearheaded the Charter amendment (passed in 1952) creating a two-term mayoral limit. In the next election, Christopher won in a landslide victory over Democrat George Reilly in 1955, serving two four-year terms (1956-1964). He made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1958. Christopher attempted but failed in statewide campaigns, for Assembly, for Lieutenant Governor alongside Richard Nixon in 1962, and for the Republican gubernatorial candidacy (losing in a landslide to Ronald Reagan) in 1966. During that campaign, much was made of a misdemeanor milk price-fixing violation.
Under Christopher, the city was transformed from its working-class, waterfront days with projects including the Golden Gateway, Japan Center, Candlestick Park, and the Embarcadero Freeway. He was proud of building the city, and focused on government efficiency. Fortune magazine designated San Francisco as "one of the Best Administered Cities in the United States." As mayor, Christopher signed the Fair Employment Labor Ordinance outlawing discrimination by employers and labor unions. He hosted Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and French President Charles de Gaulle. Christopher is remembered for moving the Giants baseball team from New York to San Francisco. Those who were children at the time remember the Christopher Dairies milk cartons with free coupons to 49er football games.
Following his mayoral duties, Christopher remained active in charity work, business, and civic functions. He was a U.S. alternate delegate to the United Nations (in 1981), and served as a Department of Commerce advisor. He died on September 14, 2000. His wife, Tula, preceded him in death. They had no children.

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the two-term administration of Mayor George Christopher during the years of 1956 to 1964, and to a lesser extent, his early years as a supervisor and later, post-mayoral years. The papers provide a look at city government while urban renewal gained momentum. The collection also documents Christopher's rise to leadership in civic and political activities.
Materials include memoranda, reports, correspondence, photographs, films and audio recordings, and newspaper clippings. Subjects include development and urban renewal, and Bay Area Rapid Transit. Some key development projects are not represented, such as Embarcadero Center, Embarcadero Freeway, and Candlestick Park. Campaign material covers local and statewide races. Speeches are limited. There is good coverage of two special events, the visit of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, and Osaka-San Francisco Sister Cities activities. Newspaper clippings and photographs provide a good record of the Mayoral years.

Arrangement

The material has been organized into eight series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Legislative Files; Series 3. Special Events; Series 4. Political Campaigns; Series 5. Speeches and Media; Series 6. Photographs; Series 7. Plaques, Certificates, and Gifts; and Series 8. Business and Personal. Folders in most series (except Speeches and Media and Photographs) are in alphabetical order by folder title, and then by date. The Speeches and Media and Photographs series are arranged chronologically,except for materials organized by subject, which are alphabetically arranged. Within folders, materials are filed chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Christopher, George -- Archives.
City planning--California--San Francisco.
Mayors--California--San Francisco.
San Francisco (Calif.)--Politics and government--20th century.
Urban renewal--California--San Francisco.

 

Series 1 Correspondence, 1950-1962

Physical Description: 2.1 cubic feet

Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondence regarding Christopher's civic engagements. Of interest is correspondence regarding the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Hearings held at City Hall.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Box 61, Folder 1

Alcazar Theater, 1961-1962

Box 1, Folders 1-14

Calendar, 1956-1961

Box 1, Folders 15-16

Chamber of Commerce, January - November 1961

Box 61, Folder 2

City Souvenir, 1961-1962

Box 1, Folder 17

Civic and Improvement, October 1960 - November 1961

Box 2, Folders 1-7

Clubs and Organizations, 1960-1961

Box 2, Folders 8-12

Congratulatory and Messages of Appreciation, 1955-1961

Box 61, Folder 3

Fireboat, 1962

Box 2, Folder 13

Form Letters, 1962

Box 2, Folders 14-15

Fraternal, 1960-1961

Box 2, Folders 16-19

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Hearings, May 1960

Box 3, Folder 1

Personal, 1961

Box 3, Folders 2-4

Political, January 1961 - January 1962

Box 3, Folder 5

United Indian War Veterans, 1950-1959

Box 61, Folder 4

Urban General Plan Manuscript by T.J. Kent, 1963

 

Series 2 Legislative Files, 1952-1964

Physical Description: 3.37 cubic feet

Scope and Contents

This series covers Christopher's mayoral years, focusing on urban renewal, and includes one folder of supervisorial matters. Materials include correspondence, memos from staff members, notes, reports, legislation, news clippings, and reference material.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Box 61, Folder 5

Appointments, Board of Education, 1956-1965

Box 3, Folders 6-11

Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), 1959-1963

 

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART),

Box 3, Folders 12-14

General, 1956-1957

Box 3, Folder 15

Digest and Draft Legislation, 1956

Box 3, Folder 16

Meeting, 1956

Box 3, Folder 17

News Clippings, 1956-1957

Box 3, Folders 18-19

Reference Materials, 1953-1957

Box 3, Folder 20

Senate Report and Bills, 1949-1957

Box 3, Folder 21

Bay Area Transit Systems, 1955

Box 3, Folder 22

Bay Crossings, 1964

Box 3, Folder 23

Bay Model, Reber Plan, 1956-1960

Box 3, Folder 24

Bay Model Ceremonies, 1957

Box 61, Folders 6-15

Blythe-Zellerbach Management Report, 1960-1962

Box 8, Folder 1

[Brooks] Exhibit Hall Bond, 1954

Box 61, Folder 16

Business Cards,

Box 3, Folder 25

Capital Improvement Advisory Committee, 1960-1963

 

Community Renewal Program (CRP)

Box 61, Folder 17

Contract, 1962

Box 4, Folder 1

Citizens Advisory Committee, 1962-1963

Box 4, Folder 2

Citizens Advisory Committee Acceptances, 1963

Box 4, Folder 3

Kennedy Communications, 1961

Box 4, Folder 4

Miscellaneous Historical Items, 1959-1963

Box 4, Folder 5

Progress Reports, 1963

Box 4, Folder 6

Purpose, Scope and Methodology, 1963

Box 4, Folder 7

Technical Memoranda 1-3, 1963

Box 4, Folder 8

1960 Democratic National Convention, 1958-1959

Box 4, Folder 9

Directory of City and County Officers, 1961-1963

Box 8, Folder 2

1964 Democratic National Convention, 1963

 

Districts

Box 4, Folder 10

Chinatown, 1956-1961

Box 4, Folder 11

Diamond Heights Area B-1, 1961

Box 4, Folder 12

Fort Funston, 1960-1962

Box 4, Folder 13

Glen Park, 1962-1963

Box 4, Folder 14

Haight-Ashbury, 1956-1963

Box 4, Folder 15

Hall of Justice, Old, 1956-1963

Box 4, Folder 16

Hunters Point, 1963

Box 4, Folder 17

Market Street, 1961-1964

Box 4, Folder 18

Market Street: Coordinating Committee, 1962-1964

Box 4, Folder 19

Market Street: Development Project, 1962-1963

Box 4, Folder 20

Mission, 1960-1963

Box 4, Folder 21

South of Market: D-1, 1957-1963

Box 4, Folder 22

South of Market: D-1, Preliminary Plan, May 1957

Box 4, Folder 23

South of Market: Advisory Committee and South of Market: Chamber of Commerce Committee, 1961-1963

Box 5, Folder 3

South of Market: Yerba Buena Center, 1961-1963

Box 4, Folder 24

Waterfront: Height Limits, 1961-1963

Box 4, Folders 25-26

Western Addition: A-1, 1952-1963

Box 4, Folders 27-28

Western Addition Japanese Center, 1961-1964

Oversize-Box 13, Folder 4

Proposed Garage 1961

Box 4, Folder 29

Western Addition: A-1, Saint Francis Square, 1960-1961

Box 4, Folder 30

Western Addition: A-2 Rehabilitation, 1962-1964

Box 4, Folder 31

Western Addition: A-2 Published Plans, 1961-1963

Box 4, Folder 32

Western Addition: Beyond Project Areas, 1962

Box 5, Folder 1

Fallout Shelters, 1961-1962

Box 5, Folders 2-3

Ferry Park Citizens Committee, 1957-1959

Mixed Materials 5, Folder 4, Oversized Box 12, Folder 5, Graphic Materials 43, Folder 1

Golden Gateway, 43010 1958-[1960?]

Box 5, Folder 5

Grand Jury Interview, 1958

Box 5, Folder 6

Hilton Hotel, 1960-1963

Box 5, Folder 7

Inter-Agency Committee on Urban Renewal, 1956-1960

Box 5, Folder 8

Master Plan, 1960

Box 5, Folder 9

Miscellaneous Photograph, [19--]

Box 5, Folder 10

Pollution, 1956-1962

Box 61, Folder 18

Rapid Transit Ballot Measure, [1962]

Box 61, Folders 19-22

Real Estate Transfers, 1956-1963

Box 5, Folder 11

San Francisco Maritime Museum, 1959

Box 61, Folder 23

Small Craft Harbor Plan, 1959

Box 5, Folder 12

Summit Conference, 1958-1960

Box 5, Folder 13

Supervisorial Activities, 1950

 

Urban Renewal Coordinator,

Box 5, Folder 14

Correspondence, 1957-1961

Box 5, Folder 15

Position, 1961-1964

Box 5, Folder 16

Information Requests, 1961-1963

Box 5, Folder 17

Office Space, 1962

Box 5, Folder 18

Monthly Reports, 1959-1960

 

Workable Program,

Box 5, Folder 19

Application, 1960

Box 5, Folder 20

Applications (Published), 1961-1963

Box 5, Folder 21

Certificates, 1959-1961

Box 5, Folders 22-24

Recertification, 1957-1963

Box 5, Folder 25

Youth Guidance Center, 1956-1957

 

Series 3 Special Events, 1946-1965

Physical Description: 3.37 cubic feet

Related Materials

See also Series 6: Photographs.

Scope and Contents

This series covers Christopher's time as mayor, and includes one event during his term as supervisor. Featured are the visit of Nikita Khrushchev, sister city activities between San Francisco and Osaka, Japan, and the 1956 Republican National Convention (held in San Francisco). There is also correspondence regarding the 250th anniversary of Father Junipero Serra's birth. Special events are also documented in the Photographs series and Speeches and Media series. Special events that took place after Christopher left office are included in the Business and Personal series.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Box 5, Folder 26

de Anza Citizens Committee, 1963

Box 5, Folder 27

Belgium King's Visit, 1959

Box 5, Folder 28

Christopher of San Francisco Dinner, June 10, 1962

Box 5, Folder 29

Denmark King and Queen's Visit, 1960

Box 5, Folder 30

Farewell Dinner, January 5, 1964

Related Materials

See Also Photographs—Albums.
Box 5, Folders 31-32

Film Festival, 1957-1963

Box 5, Folder 33

Italian Night, April 18, 1959

 

Khrushchev, Nikita S., California Visit,

Related Materials

See Also Speeches and Media. See Also Photographs.
Box 6, Folders 1-2

Constituent Correspondence, 1959

Box 6, Folder 3

Logistics, 1959

Box 6, Folder 4

Post-Visit Formalities, 1959

Box 6, Folder 5

Speeches, September 21, 1959

Box 6, Folders 6-8

Speech Correspondence, 1959-1960

 

Osaka-San Francisco Sister Cities,

Related Materials

See Also Speeches and Media. See Also Photographs.
Box 6, Folders 9-14

Brochures, 1955-1963

 

Correspondence,

Box 6, Folders 16-22

General, 1957-1962

Box 7, Folders 1-2

General, 1962-1963

Box 7, Folder 3

Japanese Monument, 1960

Box 7, Folder 4

Daimaru Store Exhibit, 1962

Box 7, Folder 5

Fifth Anniversary Report, 1962

Box 7, Folders 6-7

Miss Osaka Visit, 1962

Box 7, Folder 8

Miss Sister City, 1962-1963

Box 7, Folder 9

Osaka Tour, 1963

Box 7, Folder 10

Goodwill Mission From Osaka, 1965

Box 60, Folders 1-5

Programs and Invitations, Various, 1952-1972

 

Republican National Convention

Box 7, Folders 11-13

General, 1955-1956

Box 7, Folder 14

Souvenir Program, August 1956

Box 7, Folder 15

Speeches, August 1956

Box 7, Folder 16

Welcome Speech, August 20, 1956

 

Serra, Father Junipero,

Box 7, Folder 17

General, 1958-1963

Box 9, Folder 3

Articles in Spanish, 1958-1963

Box 7, Folder 18

House, 1956-1963

Related Materials

See Also Photographs—Albums.
Box 7, Folder 19

250th Anniversary: Stamp, 1961-1963

Box 7, Folder 20

Trip to Spain, 1962-1963

Box 7, Folder 21

Commemorative Material, 1963

Box 7, Folder 22

Visit of Spanish Officials, 1963

Box 7, Folder 23

Testimonial Banquet, Supervisor, February 18, 1946

Box 7, Folder 24

United Nations 20th Anniversary, 1962-1965

Box 7, Folder 25

Women's Civic Luncheon, March 6, 1956

 

Series 4 Political Campaigns, 1945-1966

Physical Description: 3.1 cubic feet

Related Materials

See Also Photo Albums in Series 6.

Scope and Contents

This series documents Christopher's runs for political office beginning in the 1940s. Included are newspaper clippings, sample ballots, buttons, posters, a speech, and radio and television commercials. There is a photo album in the Photographs series.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.
Box 10

Buttons, Christopher and Others, 1900s

Box 11

Buttons, Christopher for Governor, [1966]

Box 8, Folder 3

State Assembly Race, [194-]

Box 8, Folder 4

San Francisco Supervisor Race, 1945-1953

Box 12, Folder 2

San Francisco Supervisor Race Scrapbook, 1945-1946

Box 8, Folder 5

San Francisco Mayor, First Race, 1951

Box 13, Folder 3

San Francisco Mayor, First Race Scrapbook, 1951

Box 8, Folder 6

San Francisco Mayor, Second Race, 1955-1956

Box 55, Folder 1

San Francisco Mayor, Second Race, "Let George Do It" Recording, [1955]

Box 9, Folder 4

San Francisco Mayor, Second Race, News Clippings (oversized), November 5, 1955

Box 8, Folder 7

S.F. Mayor, Re-Election News Clippings, 1959

Box 8, Folder 8

United States Senate Race, 1957-1958

Box 9, Folder 4

United States Senate Race Sample Ballots, June 3, 1958

Box 14

United States Senate Race Scrapbook, 1957

Box 8, Folder 9

State Lieutenant Governor Race, 1960-1963

Box 9, Folder 5

State Lieutenant Governor Race Posters, [1962]

Box 15

State Lt. Gov. and Governor Race Scrapbook, 1961-1962

 

State Governor Race

Box 8, Folder 10

Speech, May 31, 1966

Box 8, Folder 11

Ephemera, 1966

Box 8, Folder 12

News Clippings, 1964-1965

Box 8, Folder 13

Brochure Artwork, [1966]

Box 5, Folder 3

Poster, [1966]

Box 55, Folder 2

Announcement (Recording), [1966]

Box 55, Folder 3

Announcement, TV Commercial--DVD, [1966]

Box 55, Folder 4

Radio Commercials, June [1966]

Box 16

Scrapbook, 1966

Box 8, Folder 14

Endorsements (For Others' Races), 1973-1975

 

Series 5 Speeches and Media, 1941-2000 (bulk 1956-1963)

Physical Description: 29.5 cubic feet

Scope and Contents

This series contains a few speeches, extensive newspaper clippings, and several magazines documenting Christopher's political activities, beginning with his time as supervisor. It also includes coverage of his activities in the Greek community. There are some Greek, Japanese, and Russian language newspapers, along with a few television and film items about the city's relations with other countries, as well as original artwork for several political cartoons.

Arrangement

Organized into the following subseries: 5.1 Speeches; 5.2 Newspaper Clippings; 5.3 Scrapbooks; 5.4 Magazines; and 5.5 Broadcast and Film. Newspaper Clippings are further arranged in sub-subseries by subject (5.2.1); and date (5.2.2). Scrapbooks are further arranged in sub-subseries by newspaper (5.3.1); subject (5.3.2); and date (5.3.3). Each subseries is arranged chronologically, except Newspaper Clippings by Subject and Scrapbooks, each of which is organized alphabetically.
 

Subseries 5.1 Speeches, 1956-1964

Related Materials

See Also Special Events—Republican National Convention in Series 3.
Box 7, Folder 26

Republican Assembly, June 16, 1956

Box 55, Folder 5

First Anniversary (Recording, NBC), January 9, 1957

Box 7, Folder 27

Budget Messages, 1956-1963

Box 7, Folder 28

State of the City Messages, 1956-1963

Box 17A, Folder 1

Boy Scouts of America, June 5, 1959

Box 17A, Folder 2

Commonwealth Club, January 3, 1964

Box 17A, Folder 3

Personalities and Heads of State, [19--]

 

Subseries 5.2 News Clippings, 1941-2000

 

Subseries 5.2.1 By Subject

Box 17A, Folder 4

Appointments, 1962-1963

Box 17A, Folder 5

Biographical, 1955-2000

Box 9, Folder 4

Biographical (oversized), 1963-1999

Box 17A, Folder 6

Christopher, Tula, 1941-1992

 

Khrushchev, Nikita, 1959-1992

Related Materials

See Also Special Events. See Also Photographs.
Box 17A, Folder 8

Osaka-San Francisco Sister Cities, 1957-1963

Related Materials

See Also Special Events. See Also Photographs.
Box 17A, Folder 9

Miss Sister City, 1962-1963

Box 18, Folder 1

San Francisco Giants (oversized), 1958-1961

Box 17A, Folder 10

Political Cartoons, 1955-1966

Box 8, Folder 15

Political Cartoons (original artwork), 1957-1964

 

Subseries 5.2.2 By Date

Box 17A, Folders 11-41

1955-1965, 1955-1965

Box 17B, Folders 1-16

1965, 1965

Box 17C, Folders 1-28

1965-1997, 1965-1997

 

Subseries 5.3 Scrapbooks of News Clippings, 1946-1964

 

Subseries 5.3.1 By Newspaper

Box 19

San Francisco News, January 1956 - May 1958

Box 20

San Francisco News, May 1958 - March 1960

Box 20

San Francisco Call-Bulletin, January 1956 - January 1957

Box 21

San Francisco Call-Bulletin, January 1957 - September 1958

Box 21

SF Call-Bulletin and SF News Call-Bulletin, September 1958 - May 1960

Box 22

San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, May 1960 - August 1962

Box 23A

San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, August 1962 - January 1964

Box 23B

San Francisco Examiner, January 1956 - July 1957

Box 24A

San Francisco Examiner, July 1957 - September 1959

Box 24B

San Francisco Examiner, September 1959 - September 1961

Box 25A

San Francisco Examiner, October 1961 - July 1963

Box 25B

San Francisco Examiner, July - December 1963

Box 25B

San Francisco Chronicle, January - October, 1956

Box 26A

San Francisco Chronicle, October 1956 - October 1958

Box 26B

San Francisco Chronicle, October 1958 - April 1961

Box 27A

San Francisco Chronicle, April 1961 - May 1963

Box 27B

San Francisco Chronicle, May 1963 - January 1964

 

Subseries 5.3.2 By Subject

Box 13, Folder 1

Garden Grove Federated Republican Women's Garden Party, 1961

Box 13, Folder 2

Hawthorne School, 1962

Box 28, Folders 1-2

Khrushchev, Nikita (in U.S.S.R.), February - March 1960

Related Materials

See Also Magazines. See Also Broadcast and Film. See Also Photographs.
Box 12, Folder 3

North, Henry, Slander Charge, 1958-1960

Box 12, Folder 4

Supervisorial Activities, March 1946 - March 1947

Related Materials

See Also Photographs.
 

Subseries 5.3.3 By Date

Box 29

1947-1949

Box 30

1949-1951

Box 31

1951-1953

Box 32

1953-1955

Box 33

1955

Box 34

1955-1962

Box 27B

1955-1957

Box 35

1956-1960

Box 36A

1957-1959

Box 36B

1959-1960

Box 37

1960-1961

Box 38

1961-1963

Box 39

1962

Box 40

1963

 

Subseries 5.4 Magazines, 1953-1997

Box 41, Folder 1

City-County Record, "George Christopher, Supervisor, City and County of SF," October 1953

Box 41, Folder 2

Fortnight, "A Candidate Warms Up," October 12, 1953

Box 41, Folder 3

City-County Record, "Mayor George Christopher, 31st Chief Executive of SF," January 1956

Box 42, Folder 9

Collier's, "San Francisco—April 18, 1906," March 30, 1956

Box 42, Folder 1

The Argonaut, "George Christopher - A San Francisco First," March 1, 1957

Box 41, Folder 4

Fortnight, "Is Bill Knowland Going to Run For Governor?" March 1957

Box 42, Folder 2

The American Weekly, "How We Won the Giants," September 22, 1957

Box 42, Folder 3

Esquire, "San Francisco: The Magnet City," May 1958

Box 41, Folder 5

Cosmopolitan, California Feature, May 1959

Box 42, Folder 4

Look, "New Faces, New Power," September 29, 1959

Box 41, Folder 6

City-County Record, "Bay Area Notabilities," December 1959

Box 41, Folder 7

City-County Record, "Christopher at the Kremlin," March 1960

Box 41, Folder 8

The Californian, "What's the Matter with San Francisco?" December 1960

Box 41, Folder 9

Date Line-San Francisco, 1960

Box 42, Folder 5

Holiday, "San Francisco," April 1961

Box 42, Folder 6

Town & Country, "San Francisco," November 1961

Box 42, Folder 7

Esquire, "The Narcissism of San Francisco," April 1962

Box 41, Folder 10

The Californian, "The Real Christopher of San Francisco," Summer 1962

42, Folder 8

September 25, 1962

41, Folder 11

San Francisco, "How Now, Brown Cow?" November 1963

41, Folder 12

Cosmopolitan, "Bohemia on the Bay," December 1963

41, Folder 13

San Francisco, Republican National Convention Issue, July 1964

41, Folder 14

San Francisco Business, "Conversations in the Kremlin," November 1971

41, Folder 15

San Francisco Business, "Their Honors, the Mayors," March 1973

41, Folder 16

San Francisco Business, "Pyrite in the Sky," May 1973

41, Folder 17

Today’s World, "George Christopher's Views on Current Politics…," 1973

41, Folder 18

Summer 1981

41, Folder 19

Sports Illustrated, "Gone with the Wind," September 1, 1986

 

San Francisco, "George Christopher, The Lion in Winter," November 1987

41, Folder 21

San Francisco Giants: 40 Years, 1997

 

Subseries 5.5 Broadcast and Film, 1956-1963

Box 55, Folder 6

Inauguration, KCBS Radio, January 9, 1956

Box 55, Folder 3

Osaka: Cable Car Arrival (Japanese TV), 1959

Box 55, Folder 7

Interview in Moscow, KNBC Radio, [1960]

Box 55, Folder 8

[1960]

Box 55, Folder 9

Japan American Conference and Mayors and Chambers of Commerce Presidents, November 1963

 

Series 6 Photographs, [1911]-1999 (bulk 1956-1963)

Physical Description: 8.34 cubic feet

Scope and Contents

Christopher's Mayoral and other public activities are well-documented in this series, along with business, personal and family aspects. Included are images of Christopher: as a young boy; in early classroom photos; along the campaign trail; with heads of state; in a Bohemian Grove play; and throwing out the first pitch at the first San Francisco Giants game at Candlestick Park.

Arrangement

Divided into the following subseries: 6.1. Loose Photos by Subject; 6.2. Loose Photos by Date; 6.3. Albums; 6.4 Albums, Personal. Loose Photos by Subject and Albums are arranged alphabetically; Loose Photos by Date are arranged chronologically.
 

Subseries 6.1 Loose Photos by Subject, [1911]-[1999?]

Box 43, Folder 1

Photos removed from other series, 1956-1963

Box 43, Folder 2

Automobiles, [19--]

Box 43, Folder 3

Biographical, [1911]-[199-?]

Box 44, Folder 1

Biographical (oversized), 1983

Box 45

Biographical: Framed Cap-and-Gown Portrait, [1930?]

Box 44, Folder 2

California Commission on Educational Quality, [December 1987]

 

Campaigns,

Related Materials

See Also Political Campaigns (series).
Box 43, Folder 4

San Francisco Supervisor, [1945?]-1949

Box 43, Folder 5

San Francisco Mayor, [1955-1959]

Box 43, Folder 6

State Governor, [1966]

Box 43, Folder 7

Christopher Dairy Farms, [1940s-1970s]

Related Materials

See Also Business and Personal.
Box 44, Folder 1

Christopher Dairy Farms (oversized), [19--]

Box 43, Folder 8

Crusade for Freedom, 1957

Box 43, Folder 9

Dedications (by Mayor), 1956-[1963]

Box 43, Folder 10

Dedications to George Christopher, [1971-1976]

Box 43, Folders 11-12

Dignitaries and Celebrities, [1956]-[198-?]

Related Materials

See Also Albums.
Box 43, Folders 13-15

Family, [19--]-1990s

 

Family: Greece, 1950-[1999?]

Related Materials

See Also Albums.
Box 43, Folder 17

Japan Peace Treaty, [1951]-1956

Box 44, Folder 2

Khrushchev, Nikita (in California), [September 1959]

Related Materials

See Also Special Events.
Box 43, Folder 18

Khrushchev, Nikita (in USSR), [March 1960]

Related Materials

See Also Speeches and Media. See Also News Clippings, by Subject. Scrapbooks of News Clippings, By Subject. See Also Broadcast and Film—Russian Close-up.
Box 43, Folder 19

Mayoral Oath (Second Term), January 1960

Box 43, Folders 20-25

Osaka-San Francisco Sister Cities, 1959-1963

Related Materials

See Also Photographs - Albums. See Also Special Events. See Also Speeches and Media.
Box 43, Folder 26

Republican National Convention, 1956-1969

Box 43, Folder 27

Spain, 1963

 

Loose Photos by Date, Subseries 6.2 [1940s]-1999

Physical Description: 20.0 images
Box 43, Folder 28

1946-1949

Box 43, Folder 29

[1940s]

Box 46, Folder 1

[1940s-1950s]

Box 46, Folder 2

1952-1959

Box 46, Folder 3

[1950s]

Box 46, Folders 4-8

[1950s-1960s]

Box 46, Folder 9

1960-1963

Box 46, Folder 10

1964-1969

Box 46, Folders 11-13

[1960s]

Box 46, Folder 14

1970-1979

Box 46, Folder 15

[1970s-1990s]

Box 46, Folder 16

1980-1989

Box 46, Folder 17

[1980s-1990s]

Box 46, Folder 18

1990-1999

 

Albums, Subseries 6.3 [1949?]-1964

Box 47, Folder 1

Boys Town of Rome, [196-]

Box 47, Folders 2-3

Dignitaries and Celebrities, 1956-1974

Physical Description: 2.0 volumes
Box 48, Folder 1

Junipero Serra's Home in Petra, Spain, 1963

Related Materials

See Also Special Events.
Box 49-50

Mayoral Activities, [1956-1963]

Physical Description: 8.0 volumes
Box 51

Mayoral Farewell Dinner, January 5, 1964

Related Materials

See Also Special Events.
Box 52, Folder 1

Mayoral Inauguration, January 9, 1956

Box 48, Folders 2-4

Osaka, Japan Sister City, 1963

Physical Description: 3.0 volumes

Related Materials

See Also Special Events. See Also Speeches and Media.
Box 47, Folder 4

Political Campaigns, [1949?-1962?]

Related Materials

See Also Political Campaigns (series).
Box 47, Folder 5

State Lieutenant Governor, October 15, 1962

Box 48, Folder 5

Richfield Oil Corporation's Success Story, March 1, 1956

Box 48, Folder 6

United Air Lines Jet Dedication, March 28, [1963?]

 

Albums, Personal, Subseries 6.4 1957-1998

Box 48, Folder 7

Golden Gate University Chair in Government Administration, 1986-1996

Box 53, Folder 1

Greece, 1 of 2, 1957

Box 52, Folder 2

Greece, 2 of 2, [1970s?]

Box 48, Folder 8

Hellenic Society Dinner, March 1958

Box 53, Folders 2-3

Israel Bonds Tour 1957, 1964

Box 53, Folder 4

San Francisco Forum Award, May 21, 1998

 

Series 7 Plaques, Certificates, and Gifts, 1950-1999

Physical Description: 1.72 cubic feet

Scope and Contents

Included are honorary degrees and certificates of appreciation and honorary membership. Also included are plaques from various groups including governments. A plaque honoring Christopher's role in bringing the Giants to San Francisco is in the collection. There are a few gifts of keys to cities.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.
Box 28, Folder 3

Certificates in Scrapbook, 1950-1963

Box 54, Folder 1

Certificates (loose), 1952-1989

Box 8, Folder 16

Certificates (loose, oversized), 1957-1988

Box 18, Folder 2

Certificates (loose, oversized), 1956-1990

Box 41, Folder 22

Plaques (images), 1956-1992

Oversized Box 58

Plaque, San Francisco Baseball Old Timers and the San Francisco Giants, June 22, 1999

Box 59

Gifts, 1958-1963

 

Series 8 Business and Personal, 1922-[2000]

Physical Description: 1.4 cubic feet

Scope and Contents

This series includes Christopher Dairy Farms milk cartons and advertising material. Highlights include diplomas and a record of a teenaged Christopher leaving school to support the family; notes showing vocabulary study; original artwork for several caricatures; and two biographical films.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically, with business records followed by personal records.
 

Subseries 8.1 Business

Box 56, Folder 1

Christopher's Concise Recorder (Blank Ledger), [19--]

 

Christopher Dairy Farms,

Related Materials

See Also Photographs.
Box 57, Folder 1

Berkeley Farms Newsletter, September 1994

Box 57, Folder 2

Billboards, [19--]

Box 57, Folder 3

Calendar, 1967

Box 57, Folder 4

Dairy Foods Review Magazine, September 1956

Box 56

Milk Cartons, [19--]

Box 57, Folder 5

Milk Cartons (flattened), [19--]

Box 57, Folder 6

Embroidered Patches, [19--]

Box 57, Folder 7

Envelopes, [19--]

Box 57, Folder 8

Sale of Business, 1970

Box 57, Folder 9

Shopping Cart Plaque, [19--]

 

Subseries 8.2 Personal

Box 54, Folder 2

Biographical, [19--]-[2000]

Box 55, Folder 10

Biographical: Christopher in Action Film, [1964?]

Box 55, Folder 10

Biographical: Christopher of SF Film, January 1964

Box 54, Folder 3

Calif. Commission on Educational Quality, 1987

Related Materials

See Also Photographs.
Box 54, Folder 4

Candlestick Park and Proposed New Stadium, 1982

Box 8, Folder 17

Caricatures (original artwork), 1959-1964

Box 18, Folder 3

Caricatures (original artwork, oversized), 1963-1980

Box 54, Folder 5

Tula Christopher: Anniversary Card, [19--]

Box 54, Folder 6

Commonwealth National Bank, [19--]

Box 54, Folder 7

Correspondence, 1997

Box 54, Folder 8

Correspondence: Gerald R. Ford, 1974

Box 54, Folder 9

Correspondence: Richard Nixon, 1990

Box 54, Folder 10

Dedication of Bust, 1976-1977

Box 54, Folder 11

Education, 1922-1930

Box 54, Folder 12

Special Events, 1964-1975

Box 54, Folder 13

Tributes, 1965-[1996]

Box 54, Folder 14

Tribute: Golden Gate University Chair, 1976-1996

Box 54, Folder 15

Tributes: Jewish National Fund Community Chanukah Banquet, 1974-1975