Finding aid for the John McLaren Collection
1866-1965
Finding aid prepared by Thomas J. Carey
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
August 2009
Title: John McLaren Collection
Date (inclusive): 1866-1965
Collection Identifier: SFH 22
Creator:
McLaren, John, 1846-1943
Physical Description:
11 boxes
(7.75 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Diaries, daybooks, writings, correspondence, newsclippings, scrapbooks, photographs, books, and artifacts created and/or collected
by McLaren and his granddaughter, Martha "Matie" McLaren Daniels. The collection documents McLaren's gardening, landscape
design, and landscape architecture work for private estates; his travels within the United States and to foreign countries;
and to a lesser extent, his work as Assistant Superintendent of Golden Gate Park and then Superintendent of Parks for the
City and County of San Francisco. Materials originally collected by McLaren have been added to, rearranged, and annotated
by his granddaughter--possibly in preparation of a biography--and a small number of her writings are included.
Physical Location: Collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Access
The collection is open for research, with photographs available for viewing during Photo Desk hours: Tuesday: 1-5; Thursday:
1-5; Saturday: 10-12, 1-5.
Publication Rights
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], John McLaren Collection (SFH 22), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
The John McLaren Collection was donated to the San Francisco Public Library by Ralph C. Daniels ca. April 1970. Five medals
were returned to Valerie Daniels by Gladys Hansen of the San Francisco Public Library in July 1974.
Conservation Note
During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes, and metal paper clips
and most staples were removed. Individual leaves of Jane McLaren's "Notes of a Trip to Europe" (folder 1/14) were flattened
and stabilized with Japanese paper, and a preservation photocopy included in that folder. Some volumes from McLaren's library
had spine repairs and other treatments, and some volumes were isolated due to water and mold damage.
Processing Information note
Processed by Tom Carey in 2009.
Materials Transferred
Photographs have been transferred to the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection. Books from McLaren's library have
been transferred to the San Fracisco History Center's book collection; they are represented in the SFPL online catalog with
a call number of SFH 22 and are found in Boxes 10 and 11.
Biographical/Historical note
John McLaren was born December 20, 1846 in Craigford, Stirlingshire, Scotland. At age five, he was enrolled in the local grammar
school; he did not go on to high school. About 1857, his family moved to a farm in Muirside, property that remained in the
family until 1935. McLaren's first job was at nearby Bannockburn House, working for the master gardener there starting about
1860. In March 1864, he left to work for three years at a larger estate, Blair Drummond House, near Stirling. Following this,
he found employment at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, enrolling in the botany classes there during at least one winter
and spring. He also found work at other estates: Mavisbank; Dupplin Castle, near Perth; and Gosford, in the Lothians, which
was planted on what had been sand dunes.
McLaren met his future wife, Jane Mill, while studying at the Royal Botanic Garden. While in Edinburgh he was recruited by
George Howard to create a garden for his six-thousand acre estate "El Cerrito" in San Mateo, California. McLaren sailed for
San Francisco in January 1873, and in February McLaren began work for Howard, continuing as head gardener until 1887. During
this time he also landscaped properties owned by Stanford, Mills, Ralston and other wealthy San Francisco peninsula capitalists.
Jane Mill followed McLaren to California, and they were married July 31, 1876 in San Francisco. Their son, Donald, was born
in 1879. He followed in his father's footsteps, managing MacRorie-McLaren Company (1910- ), landscape engineers and nursery
in San Mateo. Donald died in 1925, and Jane died October 4, 1926 in San Francisco.
The Board of Park Commissioners appointed McLaren Assistant Superintendent of Golden Gate Park in 1887, and three years later
he was appointed Superintendent of Parks, a position he held until his death January 12, 1943 at age 97. He was awarded the
George Robert White Medal of Honor from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society (1924), elected Associate of Honour by the
Royal Horticultural Society (1930), and honored by the American Institute of Park Executives (1939).
San Francisco's McLaren Park was named in his honor in 1927. While best known for his work transforming sand dunes into Golden
Gate Park, McLaren also supervised the landscaping of Lincoln, Harding, and Sharp Parks, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific International
Exposition, in San Francisco, and Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon. For a more complete biography, the best one-volume work
is Tom Girvan Aikman's
Boss Gardener: The Life and Times of John McLaren (San Francisco: Don’t Call It Frisco Press, 1988.)
Scope and Contents
Diaries, daybooks, writings, correspondence, newsclippings, scrapbooks, photographs, books, and artifacts created and/or collected
by McLaren and his granddaughter, Martha "Matie" McLaren Daniels. The collection documents McLaren's gardening, landscape
design, and landscape architecture work for private estates; his travels within the United States and to foreign countries;
and to a lesser extent, his work as Assistant Superintendent of Golden Gate Park and then Superintendent of Parks for the
City and County of San Francisco.
Half of the collection relates to McLaren's career before his tenure with the City of San Francisco. The earliest material
included is McLaren's daybook of work done at Mavisbank, Scotland, 1866-1871. His personal library of gardening and landscape
architecture includes imprints dating from 1803 to 1934; some volumes appear to have been collected before he came to the
United States.
Materials originally collected by McLaren have been added to, rearranged, and annotated by his granddaughter--possibly in
preparation of a biography--and a small number of her writings are included. Some material in the collection-– proclamations,
memorials, clippings-– was collected posthumously by Daniels. Writings about McLaren, collected by him or by his granddaughter,
are also found in the collection. Considering McLaren's lengthy tenure as Parks Superintendent, there are large gaps in coverage
of his professional life.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into eight series: Series 1: Diaries, Day Books and Writings by McLaren; Series 2: Correspondence;
Series 3: Writings about McLaren; Series 4: Awards and Certificates; Series 5: News Clippings and Scrapbooks; Series 6: Photographs;
Series 7: Realia; and Series 8: Library. Within series, folders are generally arranged chronologically. Within folders, items
are arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Daniels, Martha McLaren
El Cerrito (Estate : San Mateo, Calif.) .
Howard, George H., 1827-1878
McLaren family
Golden Gate Park (San Francisco, Calif.)
Horticulturists--California--Biography
Landscape architects--California--Biography
Series 1
Diaries, Day Books and Writings by McLaren,
1866-1917
Scope and Contents
The earliest material in the collection is his daybook of work done at Mavisbank, Scotland, 1866-1871. There are eleven volumes
of daybooks detailing his work at Howard's El Cerrito estate and other work on the San Francisco peninsula, 1874-1886. Notes
indicate plantings (locations, types, number and costs), Chinese and Irish labor, weather, and excursions to various sites.
Box 1, Folder 1
Diary of work done at Mavisbank,
[1866-1871]
Box 1, Folder 2
Diary of My Journey from Liverpool to San Francisco,
[1872-1873]
Box 1, Folder 4
Diary [and] [Trip from Scotland to the U.S., from Dundee to Lahore],
1876
Box 1, Folder 7
Cash book / journal,
1878-1879
Box 1, Folder 8
Daily Journal,
1879- [1880]
Box 1, Folder 14
Notes of a Trip to Europe,
1892?
General Physical Description note: Forty-two pages written by Mclaren's wife, Jane, describing a tour taken by herself, John and son Donald (June-August 1892)of
parks in the United States and Europe. Includes observations on the plantings of various parks, estates and open spaces. Includes
photocopy.
creator:
McLaren, Jane Mills
Box 1, Folder 16
Trip to Sisson's,
[c. 1915?]
Box 1, Folder 17
Notes on a trip to Killin with Mr. Dow,
undated
Physical Description:
3.0 leaves
Box 1, Folder 18
Impressions of Superintendent McLaren's visit to parks of eastern states after adjournment of Park Superintendents Convention
held in St. Louis, on September ninth, tenth and eleventh,
[1917]
Box 2, Folder 1
John McLaren: manuscripts and typescripts,
Scope and Contents
Includes manuscripts of chapters for his
Gardening in California, Landscape and Flower (1908), as well as notes on the reclamation of sand dunes.
The Effect of the Improvement of G. G. Park on the Value of Adjacent Land…: ms,
undated
Physical Description:
6.0 leaves
Another Very important Element…: ts,
undated
Physical Description:
2.0 leaves
General note
p.3-4.
Flowers in Month of January…: ms,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
From Drifting Sand Dune to Finished Park...: ms.,
1909
Physical Description:
15 leaves and transcription.
General note
Portion of "Sand Reclamation," Chapter XXI in McLaren's
Gardening in California: Landscape and Flower.
Box 2, Folder 2
Essays and lectures collected by John McLaren,
Scope and Contents
Includes a lecture given by Alice Brown Chittenden, flower painter and colleague of botanist Alice Eastwood; and an essay
on Golden Gate Park (though attributed to Eastwood by McLaren's grand-daughter, it is not in Eastwood's hand).
Artificial Distribution: ms.,
undated
Physical Description:
7.0 leaves
General note
Signed, 'A. B. C.' – [Alice Brown Chittenden?]
Some Observation and a Little Theory from the West End: ms.,
undated
Physical Description:
3.0 leaves
General note
[by Alice Eastwood?]
These gates were to have been known…: ts.,
undated, c. 1902
Physical Description:
3.0 leaves
General note
Notes for a speech given by a sculptor, New York City.
Series 2
Correspondence,
1888-1941
Arrangement
Correspondence is arranged chronologically, though the folder listing is alphabetical by correspondent.
Scope and Contents
One folder of incoming correspondence reflects McLaren's activities as Superintendent of Parks in San Francisco (ten letters
have McLaren's replies) and as advisor to various individuals and organizations elsewhere in California. Correspondents of
note include horticulturist Kate O. Sessions, writer Ednah R. Aiken, Stanford University trustee and Bohemian Club president
Vanderlynn Stow, and Harry Lauder, Scotland's famed entertainer. There is one folder of correspondence of McLaren's granddaughter,
Martha Jane "Matie" Daniels.
Box 2, Folder 3
John McLaren correspondence received,
1888-1941
Aiken, Ednah,
1909
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Balfour, Guthrie & Co.,
June 26, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Brown, Thomas W. (Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo),
February 8, 1921
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Campbell, Alma, Marchioness of Breadalbane ,
March 29, 1899
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Cobb, Ralph (+ reply),
December 1939
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Crooks, Herbert W. (San Fernando Valley Press),
February 9, 1909
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Daingerfield, Wm. R.,
April 7, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Dolenz, Antonia (+ reply),
December 20, 1940
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Dow, Jas. J. (Bohemian Grove),
October 2, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Drieger, W. J.,
January 12
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Drieger, W. J.,
January 18
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Eaton, Howard (Eaton's Ranch, Wolf, Wyoming),
March 25, 1918
Physical Description:
2.0 leaves
Eaton, Howard ,
[1918?]
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Finlayson, Thomas (to Mrs. Jane McLaren),
October 2, 1920
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Friedman, Florence (Vis.Valley Comm.Center) (+reply),
February 26, 1941
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Gadbois, J. P. (Departement des Parcs, Montreal),
May 7, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Garoutte, Eudora (California State Library),
February 1, 1909
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Goodspeed, T. H. (UC Berkeley),
March 19, 1940
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Hallweger, George (Camp Curry),
September 5, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Herbert L. Schmitz Co.,
May 22, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Hickey, Joseph R. (S.F. Liberty Loan Committee),
October 6, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Hill & Whyte, Solicitors,
April 6, 1900
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Hill & Whyte, Solicitors,
December 31, 1901
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Hoffmann, F. J. (California Redwood Park Commission),
November 13, 1917
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
House of Friendship, San Francisco,
October 8, [1918]
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Jung, C.,
July 3, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Koster, F[rederick] J. (S. F. Chamber of Commerce),
February 21, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Kusche, J[ohn] A[ugust],
February 18, 1918
Physical Description:
4.0 leaves
Lauder, Harry,
November 25, 1941
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Lighting Service Committee, City and Co. of S.F.,
August 30, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Lyser, Abigail S.,
February 21, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Magrane, A[ndrew] F.,
October 21, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Mayor's Office, San Francisco,
April 24, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
McBryde, Warren H.,
September 6, 1934
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
McLean, L[aughlan] M.,
January 9, 1888
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
McSheehy, James B. (S.F. Board of Supervisors),
April 18, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Meyer, Henry G. (Daniel Meyer),
January 19, 1905
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Morrison's Academy, Crieff,
undated
Physical Description:
2.0 leaves
Murdo MacKenzie (St. Andrew's Society),
November 8, 1930
Physical Description:
3.0 leaves
Newman, O. W. (State Commission of Horticulture),
June 21, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Phelan, James D.,
1927
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Presidio of San Francisco,
January 10, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Reeve, C[hristopher] C.,
December 6, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
S. P. Townsend & Co.,
November 4, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
San Francisco Riding School,
April 18, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
San Francisco Riding School,
January 12, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sanjines, C.,
August 24, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sargent, B. V. (Automobile Owners' Rental Assn.),
May 31, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Scheepers, John,
February 19, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Schramm, W. M. (to Mayor James Rolph),
February 22, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Schwartzlose, Noah,
July 22, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Scott, Francis Seymour,
January 18, 1918
Physical Description:
2.0 leaves
Scotti, Francois,
February 26, 1918
Physical Description:
2.0 leaves
Sessions, Kate O.,
April 11, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sessions, Kate O.,
October 20, 1918
Physical Description:
3.0 leaves
Shearer, Frank (Park Department, Los Angeles),
January 3, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Shebley, W. H. (Fish and Game Commission),
April 19, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Shebley, W. H. (Fish and Game Commission),
April 20, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Shebley, W. H. (Fish and Game Commission),
January 17, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Shebley, W. H. (Fish and Game Commission),
March 1, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sherman School, San Francisco (+ reply),
May 16, 1940
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sierra Auto Supply Company,
June 26, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Silveria, J. F. (+ reply),
April 9, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Simon, H. M. (Fillmore Club),
February 16, 1918
Sinsheimer, May (S.F. War Camp Community Service),
September 23, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Skutt, Gilbert L. (Park Dept., Los Angeles) (+ reply),
April 18, 1940
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sleesman, C. C. (Board of Health, Bayonne, NJ),
February 23, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Slosson, Dorothy (Sunset Branch, SFPL),
April 15, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Smart, Gordon S. (San Francisco Model Yacht Club),
February 21, 1918
Society of American Florists,
1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Spring Valley School, San Francisco (+ reply),
May 15, 1940
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sproul, Robert G. (to John L. McNab),
February 6, 1940
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stocking, Leonard (Agnews State Hospital),
December 11, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Nellie,
[1895?]
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, V.,
March 21, 1895
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (Stanford University),
January 14, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (to Edgar W. Stow),
November 16, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (+ reply),
September 10, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (Stanford University),
April 25, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (Stanford University),
January 3, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (Stanford University),
May 13, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (Stanford University),
May 6, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn (Stanford University),
October 5, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Stow, Vanderlynn,
February 6, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sutliffe, Mrs. E. C. [Mary],
[1918?]
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Sutro, Rose,
October 25, 1938
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Tetrazzini, Luisa,
March 22, 1914
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Tevis, H. L.,
August 10, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Tevis, H. L.,
October 3, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Thane, A. C., Mrs.,
June 3, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Tibbitts, H. C. (Greenwich St. Improvement Assoc.),
February 12, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Tobin, John P., Reverend (St. Cecelia's Church),
February 12, 1918
Physical Description:
2.0 leaves
Tobin, John P., Reverend,
March 3, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Turner, Frank I. (Exposition Preservation League),
June 25, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Turner, George C. (Boys and Girls Aid Society of CA),
August 28, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Vanderbilt, Newell F. (+ reply),
March 18, 1941
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Walsingham, F. G. (Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo),
May 7, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Williams, R. H. (to E. O. McCormick),
April 13, 1918
Physical Description:
2.0 leaves
Wilson, W. F. (Hotel Ramona),
November 17, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Wirth, Theodore (+ reply),
December 18, 1939
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Wismer, E[inar],
May 14, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Woolsey, Ella L.,
July 6, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Wragge, Clement L.,
May 28, 1918
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Box 2, Folder 4
John McLaren correspondence sent,
1894-1940
Hill and [Whyte], Solicitors,
April 15, 1894
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Dibble, Oliver,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
[Mill family? "I am grateful to you…"],
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Wismer, Hother,
December 20, 1939
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Spencer, Mrs. Eldridge T.,
April 12, 1940
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Box 2, Folder 5
Postcards,
1907-1908
General note
Fourteen postcards, Including eight addressed to Andrew and Bessie McNair, from John Reid, Annie Reid, Jeanie Reid, and Jessie---.
Box 2, Folder 6
Matie McLaren Daniels correspondence,
1923-1965
Series 3
Writings about John McLaren,
1921-1941
Box 2, Folder 7
Parks & Recreation, Vol. XXIV, No. 8, John McLaren Issue,
April 1941
Box 2, Folder 7
Margaret Geddes,
John McLaren: A Sketch,
Physical Description:
2.0 photocopies
Box 2, Folder 7
John L. McNab,
John McLaren… Tribute Delivered Extemporaneously Before the St. Andrew's Society of San Francisco on December 6, 1939,
Box 2, Folder 7
Uncle John McLaren by Frank J. Taylor, St. Andrew's Society of San Francisco,
1939
Box 2, Folder 8
Poetry,
Physical Description:
12.0 leaves
Box 2, Folder 9
Matie McLaren Daniels writings,
Before 1887 in San Francisco…:ts,
undated
Physical Description:
14.0 leaves
On the Howard Estate 1872-1887: ts,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Park Lodge, Golden Gate Park: ts,
undated
Physical Description:
3.0 leaves
The Blacksmith: ms,
undated
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
My Christmas Tree (The Olympian),
December 1921
Physical Description:
1.0 leaf
Series 4
Awards and Certificates,
1904-1943
Box 3, Folder 1
Souvenir to John McLaren: [presented by] the Citizens of the State of California, Represented by His Excellency… San Francisco,
June 2, 1904
Physical Description:
1.0 oversize items
Box 2, Folder 10
Certificate of appointment, San Francisco Division, State Council of Defense of California,
November 11, 1918
Box 2, Folder 10
Certificate, Royal Horticultural Society,
1930
Box 2, Folder 10
Proclamation,
John McLaren Day by Office of the Mayor, San Francisco,
1963
Box 2, Folder 11
Testimonial book,
To John McLaren, Our Honorary Member… American Institute of Park Executives, Philadelphia,
1939
Box 2, Folder 10
Award letter, George Robert White Medal of Honor, Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
1924
Box 2, Folder 12
In Memoriam: John McLaren (Senate Resolution, California Legislature, Fifty-fifth Session)
1943
Series 5
News Clippings and Scrapbooks,
1887-1943
Scope and Contents
Scrapbooks of news clippings relating to Golden Gate Park (circa 1887-1910) appear to have been compiled by John McLaren,
with scrapbooks focusing on McLaren's career (1935-1943) continued by his granddaughter. Daniels appears to have disassembled
some of her grandfather's scrapbooks to create new ones, with the intent of writing a biography. As a result, some clippings
and photographs collected by McLaren and by his granddaughter have been comingled. Her notes can be found on various items,
and there are portions of drafts of the biography.
Box 2, Folder 13
Book I of newspaper clippings about Golden Gate Park,
1894-
Box 2, Folder 14
Book II of newspaper clippings about Golden Gate Park,
1887-
Box 2, Folder 15
Newspaper clippings relating to John McLaren and Golden Gate Park
Box 2, Folder 16
Scrapbook [created by Matie McLaren Daniels?],
1935-1943
Box 3, Folder 2
Scrapbook created by Matie McLaren Daniels,
General note
Includes her nine-page typescript "Recollection of an Era: John McLaren and the Construction of Golden Gate Park."
Series 6
Photographs,
c.1860-1940
Scope and Contents
Photographs include 19th century McLaren family portraits taken in Scotland, an album of Gabriel Moulin photographs of Golden
Gate Park, photographs of other San Francisco parks and completed landscaping projects, and two views of the Howard estate.
Three albums of photographs of Golden Gate Park were worked into the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection; as the
albums were not identified "McLaren," their provenance has been lost, as has the provenance of four folders of loose photographs
depicting early Golden Gate Park. Also, one folder of photographs of locations outside of San Francisco was incorporated into
the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection's "California Places" section. Cartes-de-visite of the McLaren family (circa
1860-1873) were probably removed from the album in Box 5.
Existence and Location of Copies note
Digital reproductions of 35 photographs in Box 7 are available for viewing through the San Francisco Historical Photograph
Collection database by doing a subject search on
John McLaren Collection , or by clicking "view online item" links in this guide.
Box 4, Folder 1
Cartes-de-visite, McLaren family,
circa 1860-1873
[Family portrait, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: A. Donald, Dundee.
Yours truly, Robert McLaren. Photographer: Buel’s Gallery, Pittsfield.
[Man’s portrait, standing, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: Cramb Brothers, Glasgow.
Katherine McDougall McLaren mother of John. [McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: G. Smart, Stirling.
[Woman’s portrait, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: A. Stewart, Aberfeldy.
Jane Mill McLaren. [McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: W. K. Munro, Edinburgh.
[Woman’s portrait, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: Wm. Towert, Edinburgh.
[Woman’s portrait, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: G. Smart, Stirling.
[Woman’s portrait, McLaren Family Album].Photographer: J. Jamieson, Edinburgh.
[Woman with child standing on chair]. Photographer unknown.
Isabella Mill [McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: J. Abbot, Dundee.
[Woman, seated, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: A. Donald, Dundee.
[Two men behind and two women, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer unknown.
[Woman standing, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: George F. Roger, Dundee.
[Man seated, McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: W. K. Munro, Edinburgh.
[John McLaren? McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: Houseworth, San Francisco.
Katherine and Donald McLaren, parents of John McLaren. [McLaren Family Album]. Photographer: John Henderson, Stirling.
Box 4, Folder 2
[Structure on grounds of El Cerrito, estate of W. D. M. Howard, San Mateo],
undated
Box 4, Folder 3
View of Uyeno; Wisteria; Maple Garden at Takinogawa near Tokyo [3 prints]
undated
Box 4, Folder 4
St. Andrew’s Society of S. F.,
Oct. 8, 1940
Box 4, Folder 5
Presenting the [Colors] to Returned Regiment from Boer War [2 prints]
Box 4, Folder 6
[Bust of John McLaren. Baccari, photographer]
Box 4, Folder 7
[The Howard Estate, El Cerrito, San Mateo],
circa 1880
Box 5
[McLaren Family Photograph Album] [52 prints]
Physical Description:
1.0 album
Box 6
[Golden Gate Park]. [44 prints]
Physical Description:
1.0 box
creator:
Moulin , Gabriel, 1872-1945
Box 7, Folder 1
Districts. Haight-Ashbury
Buena Vista Hill, [after 1910]
Box 7, Folder 2
Hospitals. San Francisco General (old)
Garden at San Francisco City and County Hospital, undated
Box 7, Folder 3
Hotels. Fairmont (interiors)
Flower show at the Fairmont Hotel, [1912]
Box 7, Folder 11
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Aerial Views
Aerial view of Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 12
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Big Rec.
Box 7, Folder 13
Parks. Golden Gate Park. De Young Museum (early)
Box 7, Folder 14
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Horse Stalls
Bougainvillea on horse stall in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 15
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Kezar Stadium (site)
Box 7, Folder 16
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Lakes. Middle
Middle Lake in Golden Gate Park, [after 1910]
Middle Lake in Golden Gate Park, undated
Middle Lake in Golden Gate Park, [after 1910]
Middle Lake in Golden Gate Park, [after 1910]
Box 7, Folder 17
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Lakes. Spreckels
Ducks and model yachts on Spreckels Lake in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 18
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Lakes. Unknown
A lake view in Golden Gate Park, undated
Pond with bamboo growing on the margin, undated
Unidentified lake in Golden Gate Park, undated
Unidentified lake in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 19
Parks. Golden Gate Park. May Day
Children at a May Day celebration in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 20
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Monuments. Ball Player
Box 7, Folder 21
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Monuments. Francis Scott Key
Box 7, Folder 22
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Monuments. Garfield
Box 7, Folder 23
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Monuments. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant monument in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 24
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Monuments. McKinley
William McKinley monument, Dec. 7, 1929
Box 7, Folder 25
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Music Concourse
Concert under way at the music concourse in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 26
Parks. Golden Gate Park. General Views
Field in Golden gate Park, [after 1910]
Golden Gate Park, Dec. 7, 1929
Box 7, Folder 27
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Nurseries
Box 7, Folder 28
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Polo Field
Polo game being played at Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 29
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Pumping Station
Box 7, Folder 30
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons in Golden Gate Park, undated
Rhododendrons in Golden Gate Park, May 23, 1929
Box 7, Folder 31
Parks. Golden Gate Park. South Drive
Box 7, Folder 32
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Strawberry Hill
Strawberry Hill in Golden Gate Park, undated
Strawberry Lake in Golden Gate Park, undated
Box 7, Folder 33
Parks. Golden Gate Park. Trees, Shrubs
An unidentified shrub in Golden Gate Park, undated
Eucalyptus in Golden Gate Park, undated
Trees, shrubs and flowers off a path in Golden Gate Park, [after 1910]
An unidentified shrub in Golden Gate Park, undated
An unidentified shrub in Golden Gate Park, undated
Trees in Golden Gate Park, 1936
Dolores Street, [after 1010]
Park at the end of Folsom Street, undated
Hayes Street, near Pierce, [after 1910]
Box 7, Folder 44
Streets. Park Presidio Blvd.
Park Presidio Boulevard, [after 1910]
Series 7
Realia,
1905-1923
Physical Description:
7.0 items
in two boxes.
Scope and Contents
A few personal effects of McLaren's comprise a small box of artifacts and one oversize box of silver plate.
Box 8
Copper printing plate, engraved
Mrs. John McLaren,
Box 8
John McLaren's eyeglasses (one pair with lenses, one without),
Box 9
Shreve & Co. silver cup, 15", inscribed:
Weavers, spiders come not here / Mrs. John McLaren from some friends in Bohemia Oct. 19th, 1915,
October 19, 1915
Box 9
Shreve & Co. silver plate, 17", inscribed:
Jane / Christmas 1905 / John,
1905
Box 9
Derby Co. silver cup, 13", inscribed:
Presented to John McLaren at the California Fall Flower Show, San Francisco, Oct. 26, 1923 / Awarded by California Association
of Nurserymen for Exceptional Contributions to Horticulture
,
October 26, 1923
Boxes 10-11
Series 8
Library,
1803-1934
Physical Description:
17.0 items
in two boxes.
Scope and Contents
McLaren's library of gardening and landscape architecture includes imprints dating from 1803 to 1934; some volumes appear
to have been collected before he came to the United States.
An anthography of the eucalypts. Russell Grimwade. Sydney: Angus & Robertson Ltd.,
1920
Dreamthorp, with selections from 'Last leaves' . Alexander Smith and Hugh Walker. London: H. Milford, Oxford University Press,
1934
General note
Front free endpaper inscribed: To John McLaren LL.D., from the Hawthorn Clan David Anderson.
Edinburgh. Picturesque notes. Robert Louis Stevenson. London: Seeley & Co.,
1895
General note
Front free endpaper inscribed: To John McLaren Christmas 1895 from Jas. McNab.
Farming for pleasure and profit. Third section. Tree-planting for ornamentation or profit, suitable to every soil and situation. Arthur Roland. London: Chapman and Hall,
1879
General note
Half-title inscribed: John McLaren San Mateo.
Forest culture and eucalyptus trees. Ellwood Cooper and Ferdinand von Mueller. San Francisco: Cubery & Company,
1876
General note
Front free endpaper inscribed: John McLaren San Mateo.
The forester; or, A practical treatise on the planting, rearing, and general management of forest-trees. James Brown. Edinburgh: W. Blackwood,
1871
General note
Front free endpaper inscribed: John McLaren from W. H. Howard San Mateo.
The fruit garden; a treatise intended to explain and illustrate the physiology of fruit trees, the theory and practice of
all operations connected with the propagation, transplanting, pruning and training of orchard and garden trees, as standards,
dwarfs, pyramids, espaliers, etc ... the laying out and arranging of different kinds of gardens ... Illustrated with upwards
of 150 figures ...
Patrick Barry. Rochester, N.Y.: s.n.,
1863
General note
Front free endpaper inscribed: William A. Bowld January 1874.
Paxton's flower garden, Vol. 1. John Lindley and Joseph Paxton. London: Bradbury and Evans,
1853
General note
Page 194 inscribed: J. McLaren.
Practical hints upon landscape gardening: with some remarks on domestic architecture as connected with scenery. William Sawrey Gilpin. London: T. Cadell,
1835
General note
Title page verso inscribed: John McLaren. Front paste-down inscribed: F. E. Fautsche. Title page inscribed: Geo. F. Silvester
317 Washington Street San Francisco.
Practical landscape gardening: with reference to the improvement of rural residences, giving the general principles of the
art; with full directions for planting shade trees, shrubbery and flowers, and laying out grounds
. G. M. Kern. Cincinnati: Moore, Wilstach, Keys & Co.,
1855
The Psalms: frae Hebrew intil Scottis. Peter Hately Waddell. Edinburgh: J. Menzies & Co.,
1891
General note
Front pastedown includes the signature of Peter McLaren with this note: Born in Edinburg, Scotland June 3 -1831. Came to Marietta,
Ohio – March 31, 1855. Front free endpaper includes note: This book of Psalms presented and sent John McLaren of Golden Gate
Park fame, San Francisco, California. By Flora C. McLaren, Marietta, Ohio. July 22, 1939.
A treatise on forming, improving, and managing country residences; and on the choice of situations appropriate to every class
of purchasers ...
Vol. 1. John Claudius Loudon. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme,
1806
General note
Front free endpaper inscribed: John McLaren.
Box 11
Observations on the theory and practice of landscape gardening. Including some remarks on Grecian and Gothic architecture,
collected from various manuscripts, in the possession of the different noblemen and gentlemen, for whose use they were originally
written; the whole tending to establish fixed principles in the respective arts
. Humphry Repton. London: printed by T. Bensley for J. Taylor,
1803
The following titles await possible conservation treatments, and these volumes are not represented in the SFPL online catalog:
American estates and gardens. Barr Ferree. New York: Munn & Co.,
1906
General note
Frontispiece reverse inscribed: John McLaren to Daniel McRorie Christmas 1909.
The fruits and fruit trees of America or, The culture propagation, and management, in the garden and orchard, of fruit trees
generally; with descriptions of all the finest varieties of fruit, native and foreign, cultivated in this country.
Andrew Jackson Downing. New York: J. Wiley,
1860
The gardener's assistant: practical and scientific: a guide to the formation and management of the kitchen, fruit, and flower
gardens, and the cultivation of conservatory, green-house, and hot-stoves plants: with a copious calendar of gardening operations
. Robert Thompson. London: Blackie,
1859
General note
Front free endpaper inscribed: John McLaren Blair Drummond 1866.
Annual report of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park [1863]. New York (N.Y.). Board of Commissioners of the Central Park [New York: s.n.], Wm. C. Bryant & Co.,
1863
General note
This issue is Sixth Annual Report, January 1863.