A collection of material related to the personal and professional life of John Center, San Francisco businessman and civic leader.

John Center (1817-1908) was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and came to the United States in 1836. Center settled first in Wisconsin then moved to California in 1849 to seek his fortune in gold; however, he decided to engage in the gardening business instead of mining and settled in San Francisco. He became involved in many enterprises, including the nursery business, real estate, and mining speculation. In 1863 he established the Center Company for mining in California's Owens Valley. Center promoted the expansion and civic improvement of San Francisco, especially in the Mission District where he first settled.

7.2 Linear Feet (6 boxes)

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