Rolfe (Norman) Transportation collection, [1954]-2009, bulk (bulk 1960s-2004)

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Summary

Title:
Norman Rolfe Transportation Collection
Dates:
[1954]-2009, bulk (bulk 1960s-2004)
Creators:
Rolfe, Norman (1925-2010)
Abstract:
Work papers of Norman Rolfe, an electrical engineer for Bechtel, documenting the electrification of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system; and Rolfe's papers as a transit advocate including San Francisco Tomorrow documents.
Extent:
8 cartons, 1 manuscripts box (8.4 cubic feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Norman Rolfe Transportation Collection (SFH 724), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Includes Rolfe's files as an electrical engineer with Bechtel, documenting electrification of the BART system. The bulk of the collection consists of his transit advocacy files of City agency and citizens committee reports and some meeting minutes, Rolfe's strategy papers and handwritten notes, and letters to legislators and media. Some San Francisco Tomorrow documents are included. Has some election material on transit measures as well as some housing and tenant and pedestrian safety papers. Some documents on regional government and transportation are also included. Material on the freeway fights of the 1960s is not included.

Biographical / historical:

Norman Rolfe was an electrical engineer for Bechtel, for whom he worked on the electrification of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System. He also worked as an engineer for other entities and as an engineering officer for the U.S. Navy after earning his degree from Brown University. He began his civic activism with the San Francisco freeway fights of the 1960s, and worked as a transit advocate but was also involved in land use and other environmental matters. Rolfe was a member of numerous citizens advisory committees.

A founding member of the urban environmental group, San Francisco Tomorrow (SFT), Rolfe also served on the organization's board and as chairperson or co-chairperson of SFT's Transportation Committee. The organization honored him with its Unsung Hero and Jack Morrison awards. In a 1972 application to a transit project's citizens committee, he stated one of his (and SFT's) major concerns was the livability of the city.

Significant efforts were spent on saving the street cars and trolley buses on Market Street, removal of the Embarcadero Freeeway and design of the new Embarcadero, removal of the Central Freeway, removal of the Transbay Terminal without an adequate replacement, and challenging the rebuilding of Doyle Drive as an eight-lane freeway. In his [1995] resume, he wrote: "The engineering society I belong to urges its members to become 'eclectic engineers,' that is to broaden one's horizons and draw from many fields. I have done this."

Acquisition information:
Received from the estate of Norman Rolfe in August of 2010.
Processing information:

Processed by Tami J. Suzuki in 2023.

Arrangement:

Organized into two series: 1. Work Files; and 2. Project and Research Files. Within series, organization is mainly alphabetical.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Tami J. Suzuki.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-04-01 20:29:04 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Norman Rolfe Transportation Collection (SFH 724), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website