A guide to the Joseph J. Coney collection, 1941-1959

Processed by: Maritime Research Center, Historic Documents Department (Bailey), Feb 2016.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Building E, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone: 415-561-7030

Fax: 415-556-3540

SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov

URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr

2016

A Guide to the Joseph J. Coney collection

HDC1742

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service

2016, National Park Service

Title: Joseph J. Coney collection

Date: 1941-1959

Date (bulk): 1925-1990

Identifier/Call Number: HDC1742 (SAFR 24677)

Creator: Coney, Joseph J.

Physical Description: 50 items.

Repository: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department

Building E, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

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.

Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department

Language(s): In English and Spanish

Access

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Publication and Use Rights

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.

Processing Note

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.

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

Acquisition Information

SAFR-02336

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

Historical or Biographical Note

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.

Collection 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.

Collection Arrangement

Collection is arranged chronologically.

Related Materials

C.C. McMillan report and clippings, 1906 (HDC1339, SAFR 21690)

This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Administrative records

Coney, Joseph J.

American Fisher (steamship)