Coney (Joseph J.) collection, 1941-1959, bulk 1925-1990

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Summary

Title:
Joseph J. Coney collection
Dates:
1941-1959, bulk 1925-1990
Creators:
Coney, Joseph J.
Abstract:
Joseph J. Coney collection (HDC 1742, SAFR 24677) complements the first Coney collection by the same name (HDC 1339 SAFR 21690 SAFR-01123). This second collection contains further materials of Coney's business dealings, as well as several photographs and negatives of Coney. Of particular local interest, is the development plan portfolio for the Pacific Marina in Alameda, California in folder 17. A file unit level inventory is included here. The collection is available for use.
Extent:
50 items
Language:
In English and Spanish
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC1742 (SAFR 24677), Joseph J. Coney collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

Joseph J. Coney collection (HDC 1742, SAFR 24677) complements the first Coney collection by the same name (HDC 1339 SAFR 21690 SAFR-01123). This second collection contains further materials of Coney's business dealings, as well as several photographs and negatives of Coney. Of particular local interest, is the development plan portfolio for the Pacific Marina in Alameda, California in folder 17. A file unit level inventory is included here. The collection is available for use.

Bundle 1
  • Folder 1 Gold Hill Dredging Company map, n.d., T.S.M.T. "Redline" General Arrangement and Bridge Deck, August 1925
  • Folder 2 Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company, 1941
  • Folder 3 American Fisher (steamship) business records, February 1941-January 1942
  • Folder 4 Port Hillcone, Richmond, California, Appraisal report, December 24 1941
  • Folder 5 Board of Port Commissioners of the Port of Oakland, Tariff No. 1, May 10 1944
  • Folder 6 National Tax Equality Association Cooperative Expansion in the Petroleum Industry report, July 10, 1944
  • Folder 7 National Housing Act As Amended, rev. August 1, 1946, Federal Housing Administration
  • Folder 8 E.S. McKittrick Company, Inc. and NORMAC, Inc. proposal, July 7, 1947
Bundle 2
  • Folder 9 Pacific Indemnity Company Accident reports and correspondence, 1947-1948
  • Folder 10 American Shorthair Breeder Association records, 1947-1948
  • Folder 11 C.A.S.A. (Formerly NORFRAN) minutes (in Spanish) No. 26, 1/9/1957 through #55, 5/29/1958
  • Folder 12 C.A.S.A. (Formerly NORFRAN) minutes, No. 26, 1/9/1957 through #55, 5/29/1958
  • Folder 13 C.A.S.A. Project file, 1959
  • Folder 14 United States Marine Corps Reserve, Certificate of Appreciation, March 16, 1970
  • Folder 15 Printed Materials, 1982-1990 (brochures, STBC "Empty Saddle" announcements
  • Folder 16 Undated photographic items of Joseph Coney: 5 color negatives, 2 b/w prints, 1 color print; 1 b/s print of an unidentified woman

Oversize Folder 17 The Nichandros Companies Pacific Marina Alameda Development Plans, n.d.

Biographical / historical:

Biography: Joseph J. Coney (1894-1998) was born and raised in San Francisco on April 1, 1894, to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Coney, Consul General Mexico. After studying engineering, he became a naval architect for Consolidated Steel, he then founded Pacific Coast Engineering.

Coney's professional life was defined, to a large extent, by his business relationship with Stanley Hiller, Sr. For many years the two men were partners in Hillcone Steamship Company of San Francisco. The company operated oil tankers in the Pacific from the late 1920s to 1970. The company flag was red with a large white lozenge bearing a black H. A second shipping company, the Deconhill Company was owned by Coney, Hiller, and a Mr. Deloguia; it dissolved in 1963. With the profits from Hillcone, Joseph Coney acquired gold, tungsten and silver mines, along with an inconceivable 3.5 million acres of mineral-laden ridges in the Andes.

During the 1960s, Coney and Hiller were instrumental in the development of Benicia Industrial Park, through a company they founded called the Santa Cruz Oil Company. Another speculative land development project that Coney and Hiller partner in was the Alameda Bayfarm project. In 1954, Hiller and Coney, who had been buying up the tidelands along the south shore and Bay Farm Island in Alameda for some 30 years, proposed a major development. Faced with strong opposition from Alameda residents, they withdrew their plan and sold their property to the Utah Construction Company, which later developed Bayfarm Island.

One of Coney most personal investments was the oak woodland Annadel Land Tract, which he bought near Santa Rosa, California, in 1934. In the late 1960s, the State of California, with a match from local financiers and public donations, purchased Annadel. Annadel became part of the California State Park system in 1971. Coney was a longtime member of the Bohemian Club, and a founding member of the Sonoma County Trail Blazers riding group. Coney stayed active as a senior citizen, driving until he was in his 90s and taking a lease for an office for himself when he was 95. He died in Berkeley on December 23, 1998, at the age 103.

Acquisition information:

SAFR-02336

A nonprofit organization donated this item to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Processing information:

The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.

Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Arrangement:

Collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Physical description:
.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by: Maritime Research Center, Historic Documents Department (Bailey), Feb 2016.
Date Prepared:
2016
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ICMS database and converted into xml from a template revised and updated by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department. 5/16/2016 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], HDC1742 (SAFR 24677), Joseph J. Coney collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
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