Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Additional collection guides
Descriptive Summary
Title: Paul Baffico Rebuilding the San Francisco Cable Car Line Color Slide Collection
Dates: 1982-1984, 2009
Collection Number: SFP 105
Creator/Collector:
Baffico, Paul
Extent: 1 carton with 3,324 color slides
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: 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 18, 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.
Language of Material: English
Access
The collection is available for use during the San Francisco History Center's Photo Desk hours.
Publication Rights
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
Acquisition Information
Gift. 2009.
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
Indexing Terms
Cable cars (Streetcars) -- California -- San Francisco.
Railroads, cable -- California -- San Francisco.
Railroads, Cable -- California -- San Francisco -- Maintenance and repair.
Railroads, Cable -- California -- San Francisco -- Design and construction.
Transportation--California--San Francisco.
Slides -- Color --1980-1990
Additional collection guides