The John Gerrard Graham Photograph Collection includes over 7,700 photographs and 4,730 negatives from the collection of San Francisco transit historian John Gerrard Graham (1917–1995). The collection consists of two groups of images: original photographs and negatives photographed by Graham from approximately 1936 to 1994 and official company and agency photographs (some being copy images of operations of early San Francisco street railways). The strength of the collection is in its documentation of San Francisco street railways from the late 1930s through the late 1950s including operations of the Market Street Railway, Municipal Railway of San Francisco and the California Street Cable Railroad Company.

John Gerrard Graham was born on November 14, 1917 in San Francisco to John Gerrard Graham and Kittie Gerrard Fowler Graham. Graham was a graduate of Lick-Wilmerding High School (1935) where he studied machine shop and mechanical design. Upon graduation he went to work for the Enterprise Engine and Foundry Company as an apprentice machinist.

15 cartons and 1 oversize box (approximately 7,700 photographic prints and 4,730 negatives) (16 Cubic Feet)

All requests for permission to publish 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.

The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.