Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School Guest of Honor Book, 1929-1957

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Summary

Title:
Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School Guest of Honor Book
Dates:
1929-1957
Creators:
Woehler, Tosca Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School
Abstract:
Extent:
1 album
Language:
Preferred citation:

Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School Guest of Honor Book. History San Jose Research Library

Background

Scope and content:

The album comprises autographs, promotional photographs, and programs from a wide variety of performers, the bulk of which performed between 1929 and 1936 before San Jose's Civic Auditorium was completed in 1936. Students in the home room class of Miss Tosca Woehler contributed the money to buy the material necessary for the book and the information and signatures were kept up to date by the teacher. Many of the acts were musicians or choral groups, but also included well known performers such as Harry Lauder, California governors and civil servants, authors and cartoonists, sports figures, and speakers such as Ilya Tolstoy and Chief Standing Bear. Nearly all of the performers wrote messages to the student body, some embellishing the autograph with caricatures, cartoons, or paw print autographs from their famous animals. After the Civic Auditorium opened in 1936, the number of performers in the book diminished, and most are simple autographs.

Biographical / historical:

Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School was San Jose's first junior high school, designed by W. H. Weeks. It opened in 1926 at 925 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose. The auditorium was used not only for student events, but for the general public, featuring performers and speakers from around the world. Construction on the San Jose Civic Auditorium began in 1934, which would become the main auditorium after completion in the mid-1930s.

Acquisition information:
Donated to Clyde Arbuckle and the Historical Society of Santa Clara County in 1963 by the retired teachers of Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by History San Jose Research Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1929-1957
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 album has been photographed and is available online. It can be viewed in person by appointment with the Curator of Library and Archives.

Terms of access:

Contact the Curator of Library & Archives for reproduction and publication questions.

Preferred citation:

Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School Guest of Honor Book. History San Jose Research Library

Location of this collection:
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112, US
Contact:
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
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