Harold Jenkins Photograph collection, 1930-1953, bulk 1948-1953

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Summary

Creators:
Jenkins, Harold, 1890-1967 and Joseph, E. J.
Abstract:
The Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection includes 81 photographs documenting Harold " Slim " Jenkins' various businesses in downtown Oakland, California. A majority of the photographs are publicity stills of bands and performers, interior shots of patrons and employees, or exterior photographs of Jenkins' businesses used for advertisements.
Extent:
.25 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Harold Jenkins Photograph collection, MS 11, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection includes 81 photographs documenting Harold "Slim" Jenkins various businesses in downtown Oakland, California. A majority of the photographs are publicity stills of bands and performers, interior shots of patrons and employees, or exterior photographs of Jenkins' businesses used for advertisements. There are also several photographic portraits of Harold "Slim" Jenkins and his wife Elsie Jenkins, and one photograph of President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing a document at Slims. Most of the photographs were taken by Oakland commercial photographer E.F. Joseph.

Biographical / historical:

Harold "Slim" Jenkins (1890-1967) was born on July 22, 1890 in Monroe, Louisiana. He moved to Oakland, California shortly after World War I, worked as a waiter, and would eventually open his famed Slim Jenkins Cafe at 1748 Seventh St. in West Oakland on December 5, 1933 the day prohibition was repealed. Jenkins owned and operated a number of West Oakland restaurants, liquor stores, and night clubs which earned him the affectionate title of the "mayor" of West Oakland. For many years, Slim Jenkins Cafe was the primer nightclub in Oakland with musical performers such as Earl Hines, Louis Jordan, The Inkspots, and B.B. King. Jenkins was also active in many social and civic organizations and was a charter member of the Port of Oakland Community Club, active in Republican politics, and a member of the Men of Tomorrow, Oakland Chapter of the NAACP, Boys Club of Oakland, and director and Vice President of the Transbay Federal Savings and Loan Company.

Processing information:

Processed by Sean Heyliger, February 20, 2013.

Arrangement:

Series I. Photographs

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Harold Jenkins Photograph collection, MS 11, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
Website