Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biography
Scope and Contents
Chronology of Newspaper Positions Held and Other Jobs
Added Entries
Descriptive Summary
Title: Frank Kester Papers,
Date (inclusive): ca. 1912-1981
Collection number: MS 3588
Creator:
Kester, Frank, b. 1888
Extent: 3 ft.
Repository:
California Historical Society, North Baker Library
San Francisco, California 94105-4014
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Access
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to The North Baker Research Library. All requests for
permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the
Library Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The North Baker
Research Library 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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Frank Kester Papers. MS 3588, California Historical Society,
North Baker Research Library.
Biography
Frank Kester covered the waterfront beat for the Oakland
Tribune
from 1921 to 1942. An archetypical reporter, Kester was characterized by an
insatiable curiosity, a penchant for keeping journals, a passion for photography and a
devotion to the reporting trade which has left us a wealth of biographical materials and
historical images of almost half a century.
Born in Cholame Valley, California in March 1888, Kester spent his youth in such small
towns as Alvarado, Mendocino and Watsonville. He often made friends with Spanish and Indian
children from whom he learned to speak Spanish and some smattering of Indian hunting and
fishing techniques. These childhood experiences imbued him with a lifelong interest in
mining towns, Indian lore, sea adventures and an abiding love for nature and wilderness.
Before Kester reached his teens, his mother divorced his father, remarried and moved the
family to Oakland. He had finished six years of schooling when his stepfather decided that
he should withdraw from school in order to contribute to the family income. He entered into
a series of jobs which included working as a glass blower and stockboy in department
stores.
After much frustration, he convinced his stepfather of his ability to work and attend
school. He enrolled in Wilmerding High School and obtained a janitorial position. The young
Kester engaged in school activities with enthusiasm and soon earned the position of
assistant editor on the school paper.
By the time he was eighteen, Kester was on the million dollar sports staff of the Morning
Call and the San Francisco
Examiner. After a short stint on the sports page, he was moved over to the
waterfront beat. When news of the first World War surfaced, he was reassigned to the news
department. In November 1917 Kester reported for naval duty. Overseas for one year, he took
the opportunity to document through photographs and autobiographical sketches the personal
and tragic side of war.
At the war's end, he came back to San Francisco and the newspaper business. He joined the
staff of the Oakland
Tribune in 1921. Weaving mythology and
fact, Kester spun tales of California history, from the gold country and the Yosemite
mountains to the small towns and growing cities. The majority of his eighteen years at the
Tribune were spent reporting on the San Francisco and
Oakland waterfront and editing a full page daily on maritime activities. He witnessed the
emergence of a militant union and strikes; the expansion of the land fill and harbor
construction; and, the economic boom in the shipping trades following World War II.
Kester was an inveterate joiner in his private life. Among his organizations were the
Native Sons of the Golden West, the Masons and the Audobon Society. Appropriately, he met
his wife on a Yosemite trail.
Scope and Contents
The Frank Kester Papers provide a detailed account of the life of a dedicated reporter and
nature lover. Included are chapters of his autobiography, short stories and poetry. Kester's
research notes and stories highlight the histories of small California towns, national parks
and Bay Area waterfronts. The collection also contains original columns Along the Trail and
Dog Watch, as well as unpublished manuscripts such as The Sea Takes its Toll and They
Tramped the Mountains. Copies of his poetry, accounts of his personal trips and numerous
photographs give further insight into Kester's own character. Thoroughly Californian, Kester
dedicated his life and work to the appreciation of the natural beauty of his home state.
Chronology of Newspaper Positions Held and Other Jobs
1901 |
THE ELM, Oakland School Dept. paper |
1908-09 |
WILMERDING LIFE, Editor, W.S.I.A. |
1910 |
MORNING CALL, S.F. special articles |
1911-21 |
S.F. EXAMINER, cub reporter, marine editor, sports |
1917-21 |
Off to War |
1921-42 |
OAKLAND TRIBUNE, Marine Editor, Features, Column, Science |
1942 |
NEVADA STATE JOURNAL, Reno, Editor |
1942-43 |
WAR SHIPPING BOARD, MARITIME COMMISSION |
1944 |
PUBLIC RELATIONS |
1945-46 |
WOODLAND DEMOCRAT, Telegrph editor |
1949 |
GILROY DISPATCH, Editor and Columnist |
1951-52 |
LINDSAY NEWS, Editor, columnist |
1953 |
REDDING SEARCHLIGHT, country editor |
1954 |
ANTIOCH LEDGER, reporter |
1955-56 |
WALNUT KERNEL, Managing Editor |
1955-56 |
DIABLO BEACOM, Concord, Managing Editor |
1956 |
OAKDALE LEADER, Editor |
1956 |
CAMARILLO NEWS, Managing Editor |
1956-63 |
RED BLUFF DAILY NEWS, Red Bluff, Mng. Ed. columnist |
Added Entries
- California-Description and Travel
- California--Gold Discoveries
- Camarillo, California
- Camarillo News
- Camping--California
- Clipper-Ships
- European War, 1914-1918
- Gold Mines and Mining--California
- Hotels, Taverns, etc.--California
- Indians of California
- Indians of California--Missions
- Log-Books
- Missions--California
- Missions-History
- Newspapers--California
- Newspapers--Oakland
- Newspapers--San Francisco
- Oakland, California
- Oakland
Tribune
- Panamal Canal
- Recreation--California
- San Francisco, California
- San Francisco-Commerce
- San Francisco--Earthquake and Fire, 1906
- San Francisco--Harbor
- San Francisco--Waterfront
- San Francisco
Examiner
- Shipping--San Francisco
- Voyages and Travel
- Wilmerding High School