Baffico (Paul) Rebuilding the San Francisco Cable Car Line Color Slide Collection, 1982-1984, 2009

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Summary

Title:
Paul Baffico Rebuilding the San Francisco Cable Car Line Color Slide Collection
Dates:
1982-1984, 2009
Creators:
Baffico, Paul
Abstract:
Extent:
1 carton with 3,324 color slides
Language:
Preferred citation:

Paul Baffico Rebuilding the San Francisco Cable Car Line Color Slide Collection. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Background

Scope and content:

The Paul Baffico Rebuilding the San Francisco Cable Car Line Color Slide Collection contains 3,324 color slides documenting the repair and rebuilding of San Francisco’s cable car system during the period of October 12, 1982 to June 21, 1984, taken by professional engineer Paul Baffico. The slides, either Ektachrome or Kokochrome, are arranged in chronological order. The photographic archive is accompanied by Baffico’s detailed description and explanation of the work or action in every slide. Each slide in the collection is dated on the paper mount. In 1982 it became necessary to shut down San Francisco’s entire cable car system for a rehabilitation program on the trackways and remodel the Cable Car Barn. Baffico decided to document this engineering feat from the first day of construction to the city-wide celebration when the line was re-opened. Baffico is a professional engineer with decades of experience in the construction and transportation industries and he was able to explain the actions, context and meaning of the work shown in each specific photograph. The photo documentation does not cover every construction site, but it does represent a composite portrait of the construction process that was employed during the construction phases of the Cable Car reconstruction project. The documentation also includes public outreach events and block parties during the construction period as well as the city-wide celebration of the re-opening of the Cable Car system with Mayor Feinstein, Tony Bennett and the Cable Car Parade on June 21, 1984 (217 slides). Baffico’s detailed narrative to the photographs is in print in the collection and as a PDF with the finding guide.

Biographical / historical:

Paul Baffico was born in 1951 and is a native of San Francisco, California. In 1965 Baffico joined the Carpenter’s Union and became an apprentice carpenter. In 1969, he finished the apprentice program and became a Journeyman Carpenter. Baffico worked for several large contractors in the construction industry until 1984 when he became a construction manager. Photography had always been a hobby for Baffico and photo documentation is his preferred style for his work.

Acquisition information:
Gift. 2009.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center staff.
Date Prepared:
1982-1984, 2009
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

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. The collection is available for use during the San Francisco History Center's Photo Desk hours.

Terms of access:

The photographer retains all copyright. All requests for permission to publish from photographs 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:

Paul Baffico Rebuilding the San Francisco Cable Car Line Color Slide Collection. 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