Collection Summary
Information for Researchers
Brief Family History
Scope and Content
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Blake Family Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1881-1962
Collection Number: BANC MSS C-B 903
Extent:
Number of containers: 4 boxes, 1 carton, and 1 portfolio
Repository: The
Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Abstract: Mainly correspondence of Anita Day (Symmes) Blake relating to the family ranch in Napa County and to her interest in horticulture.
A few letters, mss. of writings, notebooks and clippings also concern Anson S. Blake, her husband, Edwin T. Blake and other
members of the Blake, Stiles and Symmes families.
Languages Represented:
English
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
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], Blake Family papers, BANC MSS C-B 903, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Brief Family History
Anson Blake was born in San Francisco in 1870. In 1891 he was graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and
became secretary of the Oakland Paving Company owned by his father Charles T. Blake. From 1897, the year of his father's death,
to 1913 he was president of the company and from 1904 until his retirement, he also served as president of Blake Brothers
Company. In 1894 he married Anita Day Symmes, daughter of a prominent San Francisco merchant and a graduate of the University
of California at Berkeley, class of 1894. Their first home, located on Piedmont near Bancroft, was razed in the early 1920's
in order to build the California Memorial Stadium. They then built a home on Rincon Road which they deeded to the University
of California in 1957 and which is now the residence of the University president. The Blakes were interested in the University
all of their lives. Mr. Blake's association with Stiles Hall (a gift from his grandmother) spanned more than fifty years.
He received an honorary LL.D. degree in 1958, the year before his death. Anita Blake died in 1962.
Scope and Content
The Blake Family papers were a gift to The Bancroft Library in 1963 and 1964 from the Blake estate with additions in 1965
from Sherman D. Thacher. They relate mainly to Mrs. Blake and to her interest in horticulture. Some concern Anson Blake and
other members of the Blake, Stiles and Symmes families. Anson Blake's Papers were given to the California Historical Society.
Photographs have been removed to the library's pictorial collection.
A key to arrangement and partial list of correspondents follows.