Guide to the Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection

Sean Heyliger
African American Museum and Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: (510) 637-0198
Fax: (510) 637-0204
Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
© 2013
African American Museum and Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.

Guide to the Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection

Collection number: MS 11

African American Museum and Library at Oakland

Oakland, California
Processed by:
Sean Heyliger
Date Completed:
02/20/2013
Encoded by:
Sean Heyliger
© 2013 African American Museum and Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Harold Jenkins Photograph collection
Dates: 1930-1953
Bulk Dates: 1948-1953
Collection number: MS 11
Collector: Jenkins, Harold, 1890-1967
Creator: Joseph, E. J.
Collection Size: .25 linear feet (1 box)
Repository: African American Museum and Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection includes 81 photographs documenting Harold Slim Jenkins' various businesses in downtown Oakland, California. A majority of the photographs are publicity stills of bands and performers, interior shots of patrons and employees, or exterior photographs of Jenkins' businesses used for advertisements.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Access Restrictions

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Publication Rights

Permission to publish from the Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.

Preferred Citation

Harold Jenkins Photograph collection, MS 11, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Processing Information

Processed by Sean Heyliger, February 20, 2013.

Biography / Administrative History

Harold Slim Jenkins (1890-1967) was born on July 22, 1890 in Monroe, Louisiana. He moved to Oakland, California shortly after World War I, worked as a waiter, and would eventually open his famed Slim Jenkins Cafe at 1748 Seventh St. in West Oakland on December 5, 1933 the day prohibition was repealed. Jenkins owned and operated a number of West Oakland restaurants, liquor stores, and night clubs which earned him the affectionate title of the mayor of West Oakland. For many years, Slim Jenkins Cafe was the primer nightclub in Oakland with musical performers such as Earl Hines, Louis Jordan, The Inkspots, and B.B. King. Jenkins was also active in many social and civic organizations and was a charter member of the Port of Oakland Community Club, active in Republican politics, and a member of the Men of Tomorrow, Oakland Chapter of the NAACP, Boys Club of Oakland, and director and Vice President of the Transbay Federal Savings and Loan Company.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection includes 81 photographs documenting Harold Slim Jenkins various businesses in downtown Oakland, California. A majority of the photographs are publicity stills of bands and performers, interior shots of patrons and employees, or exterior photographs of Jenkins' businesses used for advertisements. There are also several photographic portraits of Harold Slim Jenkins and his wife Elsie Jenkins, and one photograph of President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing a document at Slims. Most of the photographs were taken by Oakland commercial photographer E.F. Joseph.

Arrangement

Series I. Photographs

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Oakland (Calif.)--History--20th century.
Oakland (Calif.)--Social life and customs.
Jenkins, Harold, 1890-1967
Joseph, E.F.

Rites set for Slim Jenkins, Oakland Tribune 24 May 1967: 1-2.

 

Photographs

Physical Description: 3 folders

Series Scope and Content Summary

Includes interior and exterior photographs of Harold Slim Jenkins' bars and restaurants, publicity stills of various performers, and photographs used for advertising.

Arrangement

Arranged by photo identification number.
Box 1:1

Unidentified woman wearing evening dress posed with right arm extending up wall [001] undated

 

Jazzbo Williams "Man with laughs" publicity still, inscribed To a very sweet girl Elsie from Jazzbo Williams Sept 6 1953 (to be sure) 1953-09-06

Box 1:1

Unidentified woman wearing white fringed dress seated on floor with left hand on her hip [003] undated

Box 1:1

Unidentified woman stands against wallpapered background [004] undated

Box 1:1

Four waitresses, all similarly dressed, seated in restaurant dining booth, Slim Jenkins nightclub Oakland, California [005] 1954

Box 1:1

Photograph of three performers on stage at Slim Jenkins nightclub Oakland, California, inscribed To Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins Louis Finley [?], Tony [illegible] Hunter Gr[illegible] Trio [006] undated

Box 1:1

Two male bartenders wearing short white serving coats stand behind bar at Slim Jenkins Restaurant and Bar Oakland, California [007] 1953

Box 1:1

Male and female patrons seated at white cloth covered tables, Slim Jenkins nightclub Oakland, California [008] undated

Box 1:1

Male and female patrons at and near the bar, Slim Jenkins nightclub Oakland, California [009] undated

Box 1:1

Patrons seated and standing at bar at Slim Jenkins nightclub Oakland, California [010] undated

Box 1:1

Advertisement and post card for Small's Paradise, 135th Street and 7th Avenue, New York, New York with note from Lawrence Sweetwine [011] circa 1940s

Box 1:1

Group seated at banquet table [012] undated

Box 1:1

Slim Jenkins dressed in suit, tie, and white hat walking down sidewalk [four copies] [013] undated

Box 1:1

Collage of photographs of Harold and Maude Jenkins' property at 36th St., Oakland, California [017] undated

Box 1:1

Collage of seven images of disc jockey 'Uncle Tiny' of radio station KSAN [018] undated

Box 1:1

Musicians Bob Lewis (bass), Norvell Randell (piano), Eric Miller (guitar) performing on stage at Slim Jenkins nightclub Oakland, California [019] undated

Box 1:1

The original Ramblers, (right to left) Faide Booker, Amin Clifton, Jimmy Butler, Henry Antonio, Steven McGruder [020] undated

Box 1:1

Interior of Slim Jenkins' restaurant [021] undated

Box 1:1

Women seated at white cloth covered tables in main dining area of Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [029] 1953

Box 1:1

Two unidentified men stand shaking hands on sidewalk underneath Elsie's neon sign [030] undated

Box 1:1

Unidentified woman wearing evening gown sitting in chair [031] 1965

Box 1:1

Women seated at white-cloth covered tables in Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant [032] 1953

Box 1:1

Women seated at white-cloth covered tables in Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant with letters 'Daisy Bridge Club' fixed to paneled wall in background [033] 1953

Box 1:1

May Mooreland and Mrs. Elsie Jenkins (back row, center) posing with six unidentified women [034] 1947

Box 1:1

Musicians Jimmy Buchanan (sax), Earl Watkins (drums), Eric Miller (guitar), Commodore Lark (bass), Norvell Randall (piano) playing at Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [035] circa 1950

Box 1:1

Interior of Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [036] 1953

Box 1:1

Effie Smith publicity still [2 copies] [036] 1965

Box 1:1

Men and women seated at white-cloth covered tables in one of dining rooms at Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [039] undated

Box 1:1

Waitress standing Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant dining room [2 copies] [040] 1953

Box 1:1

Portrait of singer Lonnie Jordan [041] circa 1950

Box 1:2

Patrons stand on sidewalk of Elsie's with automobiles parked in front [043] undated

Box 1:2

Group of women seated at banquet table at Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [044] 1949

Box 1:2

Men and women seated at white cloth-covered tables in open dining area of Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [045] undated

Box 1:2

Musicians Bob Lewis (bass), Norvell Randell (piano), Eric Miller (guitar)on stage at Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [046] undated

Box 1:2

The Four Nationals publicity still [047] circa 1951

Box 1:2

Group photograph at Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant (left to right): Hazel Vaughns (4th woman seated), George Vaughns (standing), Byron Rumford, Aramis Fouche, Ted Hardiman, Kate [illegible] [048] 1950

Box 1:2

Group photograph of patrons seated around bar at Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [049] undated

Box 1:2

Musicians Bob Lewis (bass), Norvell Randell (piano), Eric Miller (guitar) [051] undated

Box 1:2

Four unidentified men with beer and glasses [052] undated

Box 1:2

Musicians Bob Lewis (bass), Norvell Randell (piano), Eric Miller (guitar) [053] undated

Box 1:2

Empty bar inside Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [054] undated

Box 1:2

Stage and dining room inside Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [055] undated

Box 1:2

Stage and dining room inside Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [056] 1953

Box 1:2

Interior photograph of dining room without customers [057] 1953

Box 1:2

Interior photograph of dining room without customers [058] 1953

Box 1:2

Interior photograph of dining room without customers [059] 1953

Box 1:2

Interior of stage and dining room without customers [2 copies] [061] undated

Box 1:2

Interior of stage and dining room without customers [2 copies] [063] undated

Box 1:2

Effie Smith publicity still [066] undated

Box 1:2

Women seated at white-cloth covered tables in Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant with letters 'Daisy Bridge Club' fixed to paneled wall in background [067] 1953

Box 1:2

Slim Jenkins business card [068] undated

Box 1:2

Slim Jenkins Super Nite Club Prof Brooks Disc Jockey album, four photographs of cocker spaniel [069] undated

Box 1:2

Photo collage of Jenkins Cosmopolitan Square [070] undated

Box 1:2

Portrait of Slim Jenkins [072] circa 1930s

Box 1:2

Effie Smith publicity still for 'Dial that telephone' [073] undated

Box 1:2

The Four Naturals publicity still [074] undated

Box 1:3

Color portrait of Elsie Love Jenkins Duncan [075] circa 1930s

Box 1:3

Pedestrians walking on sidewalk in front of Slim Jenkins Bar and Restaurant Oakland, California [076] circa 1940s

Box 1:3

Jenkins' corner building exterior [077] undated

Box 1:3

Saxophone players performing in nightclub [078] undated