San Francisco Department of City Planning Records, 1922-2003

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Summary

Creators:
San Francisco (Calif.). Planning Department and San Francisco (Calif.). Department of City Planning
Abstract:
Contains reports, plans and proposals, and property surveys shaping the physical development of San Francisco in the 20th century. Also includes photographic prints and negatives documenting neighborhoods, streets, and traffic scenes.
Extent:
6 cartons, 1 tall document box, 1 oversized flat box (7 cubic feet)
Language:
English and Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], San Francisco Department of City Planning Records (SFH 465), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Contains reports, plans and proposals, property surveys, block drawings, and photographic images shaping and documenting the physical development of San Francisco in the 20th century. Block drawings were prepared in 1938 and 1939 for construction of a 3-dimensional model of the city. Subjects include height limits, urban design, lot sizes, rezoning, street connections, and redevelopment.

Photographs consist of prints, negatives, and color slides of neighborhoods, streets, and traffic scenes. Photo subjects include construction of the Work Projects Administration (WPA) Sectional Model of San Francisco and the Market Street transit thoroughfare.

Biographical / historical:

Long known as the San Francisco Department of City Planning, the agency more recently became known as the San Francisco Planning Department. It plays a central role in guiding the city's growth and development, including enforcing the Planning Code. The Planning Commission maintains the city's General Plan and advises the department on long-range goals, policies and programs, on issues related to land use, transportation, and current planning.

Early city planning was based on a rectilinear block plan laid out and modified by surveyors Capt. Jean Jacques Vioget (in 1839), Jasper O'Farrell (in 1847), and William Eddy (in 1849). In 1904, architect Daniel Burnham laid out a plan that was completed just before the earthquake and fire of 1906, but the plan was ignored in the city's rebuilding. Later, some of Burnham's ideas were implemented, including the Great Highway, Yacht Harbor, Aquatic Park, Civic Center, John McLaren Park, and Telegraph Hill Park. Development westward also ensued.

Mayor James Rolph appointed the first City Planning Commission members on Dec. 28, 1917. The commission became a city agency in 1929, charged with responsibility under the Charter to make, accept, and maintain a Master Plan for the physical development of the city. The agency was known as the San Francisco Department of City Planning.

Acquisition information:
Transferred to the San Francisco City Archives from the San Francisco Department of City Planning in separate accessions. Photographs and negatives were transferred from the Planning Department to the San Francisco Public Library in the 1980s, with a second transfer in 2013.
Processing information:

Processed by Tami J. Suzuki and Christina Moretta. Primary processing and description of Block Profiles series by Ed Michael, 1991.

During processing, the collection was re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes.

Arrangement:

Organized into three series: 1. Subject Files; 2. Block Profiles; and 3. Photographs and Negatives. Subject Files are arranged alphabetically. Block Profiles are arranged numerically by map number. Photographs are arranged chronologically, and by project.

Physical location:
Collection is stored on site.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours.

Photographs cannot be photocopied. Gloves are required when handling photographs.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], San Francisco Department of City Planning Records (SFH 465), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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