Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
W. C. Lean & Jung Collection
2004-58  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Overview
 
Table of contents What's This?
Description
Small collection of financial and customer records from W. C. Lean & Jung Jewelers, operating at 99 South First Street in San Jose from approximately 1904 to 1984.
Background
W. C. Lean was established as the H. Morton Jewelry Company in 1888, purchased by Lean circa 1904, and operating at 99 South First Street in the W. J. Wilcox building. W. C. Lean worked for jewelers in San Francisco before coming to San Jose and purchasing Morton's business. Morton's apprentice, William H. Jung, stayed on to help run the business, soon becoming a partner. The two bought the Wilcox Block in 1920. Jung's son Bill took over the business with his wife Ruth after his father's death in 1939. With the deterioration of downtown San Jose in the 1970s, the business steadily lost its clientele and closed its doors in 1984. Built in 1867, the E. J. Wilcox building was left empty after 1999, purchased in 2002 by the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, and re-sold in 2007 to developers to be renovated.
Extent
10 linear feet
Restrictions
Please consult the Curator of Research Library & Archives for information on publication and reproduction.
Availability
Collection is open to the public for research by appointment.