Dummatzen (Fred) Golden Gate Bridge Construction Photograph Album, 1912-1939, bulk 1937-1939

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Summary

Title:
Fred Dummatzen Golden Gate Bridge construction photograph album
Dates:
1912-1939, bulk 1937-1939
Creators:
Dummatzen, Fred
Abstract:
Photograph album containing images and clippings of and about Fred (Gustaf Frederick) Dummatzen, a Golden Gate Bridge laborer, and member of the Construction and General Laborer's Union, No. 261. The bulk of the photographs, taken by Dummatzen and his fellow workers, include images of workers, both at work and at rest; views of the bridge and the bay from the bridge; images of construction equipment; and documentation of the construction in progress. Collection also includes a folder of personal and legal documents, and a folder containing a portrait of Dummatzen, along with images that appear to have been removed from the album.
Extent:
1 album (137 photographic prints) ; 23.5 x 31 cm. 2 folders
Language:
Item is in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Fred Dummatzen Golden Gate Bridge Construction Photograph Album, larc.pho.0070, Labor Archives and Research Center, San Francisco State University.

Background

Scope and content:

Photograph album containing images and clippings of and about Fred Dummatzen, a Golden Gate Bridge laborer, and member of the Construction and General Laborer's Union, No. 261. Dummatzen was one of ten men that died in 1937 during the construction of the bridge; the album, which was partially compiled after Dummatzen's death most likely by his parents, also includes clippings, photographs and poems in honor of Dummatzen. The bulk of the photographs, taken by Dummatzen and his fellow workers, include images of workers, both at work and at rest; views of the bridge and the bay from the bridge; images of construction equipment; and documentation of the construction in progress. The album also includes images of Dummatzen, both as a child and as an adult with his friends and family on outings such as camping; and photographs and clippings documenting his funeral and a memorial for Dummatzen held one year after his death.

Collection also includes a folder of personal and legal documents, including Dummatzen's birth announcement and high school diploma, a Golden Gate Bridge Bond, and legal documentation from the legal case of the Dummatzen family vs. Golden Gate Bridge Company for compensation for Dummatzen's death; and a folder containing a portrait of Dummatzen, along with images that appear to have been removed from the album.

Biographical / historical:

Fred (Gustaf Frederick) "Red" Dummatzen was a Golden Gate Bridge laborer, and member of the Construction and General Laborer's Union, No. 261. On February 17th, 1937, a traveling roadbed stripping platform broke away from the structure and ripped through the safety net, and plunged twelve men into the ocean. Ten of the men died in the fall from the bridge, including Dummatzen.

Acquisition information:
The Fred Dummatzen Golden Gate Bridge Construction Photograph Album was donated to the Labor Archives and Research Center in 1987, by Linda Olson.
Physical location:
Collection is available onsite.
Physical description:
,
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Tanya Hollis
Date Prepared:
2013
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-08-20T11:34-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

RESTRICTED: Original not available for use due to fragility; use digital or reference photocopy.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Labor Archives and Research Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from materials must be submitted in writing to the Director of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Labor Archives and Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Fred Dummatzen Golden Gate Bridge Construction Photograph Album, larc.pho.0070, Labor Archives and Research Center, San Francisco State University.

Location of this collection:
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722, US
Contact:
(415) 405-5549
specialcollections@sfsu.edu
Website