Gordon (James E.) Color Slide Collection of San Francisco Murals, 1976-1984

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Summary

Title:
James E. Gordon Color Slide Collection of San Francisco Murals
Dates:
1976-1984
Creators:
Gordon, James E.
Abstract:
Extent:
1 manuscript box with 465 color slides
Language:
Preferred citation:

James E. Gordon Color Slide Collection of San Francisco Murals. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 465 color slides which document murals, primarily in San Francisco between 1976 and 1984. Neighborhoods documented include North Beach, South of Market, Fillmore, Haight-Ashbury, Castro/ Eureka Valley, West Portal and the Mission as well as Oakland and Berkeley. Collection contains significant documentation of North Beach Place public housing (49 slides) and the O’Farrell Theater (21 slides) as well as photographs of Vesuvio Cafe, Moscone Center (during construction), French American School, Paltenghi Youth Center, Balboa Theater, Garfield Park, Bernal Dwellings, Valencia Gardens, and Balmy Alley. Slides have hand-written captions detailing the location of each photograph, as well as mural artist’s names (when available).

Biographical / historical:

James E. (Jim) Gordon was born in 1938 in Buffalo, New York and received a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Miami, Florida. He served four years in the United States Navy and was employed for over 14 years at Golden Gate Regional Center in San Francisco. He served as first secretary of Bay Area Gay Liberation and co-founded the San Francisco Gay Democratic Club (now the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club). Gordon later co-founded the Harvey Milk Archives, in partnership with Milk’s partner Scott Smith, the holdings of which are divided between the Hormel LGBTQIA Center of the San Francisco Public Library and the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco.

Acquisition information:
Gift from photographer. 2011-102.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center staff.
Date Prepared:
1976-1984
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish from the collection must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

James E. Gordon Color Slide Collection of San Francisco Murals. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

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