Finding Aid to the James Rolph, Jr. Papers, 1909-1930
Finding aid prepared by Tami J. Suzuki
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
September 28, 2007
Title: James Rolph, Jr. papers
Date (inclusive): 1909-1930
Collection Identifier: SFH 19
Creator:
Rolph, James, 1869-1934
Physical Description:
3 boxes
(1.6 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: The collection includes diaries of Rolph's daily mayoral activities in 1917 and 1927, some correspondence, and campaign documents.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is open for research. Please call the San Francisco History Center for hours and information at 415-557-4567.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San Francisco Public Library. 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 and the copyright.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], James Rolph Papers (SFH 19), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Related Materials
Researchers are encouraged to see also the San Francisco History Center's subject and biographical files, and the Historical
Photograph Collection, and to check the catalog holdings of the San Francisco Public Library for related materials. The Historical
Photograph Collection houses the
San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photograph Archive, which includes photographs documenting Rolph's time as mayor.
Researchers are directed to a related collection at the California Historical Society, San Francisco, CA, the James Rolph,
Jr. Papers, 1911-1930 (MS 1818). It consists of routine mayoral correspondence, financial information, and campaign material.
Researchers are also directed to the Governor's Office Records, 1849-1974, at the California State Archives in Sacramento
(California State Archives Inventory No. 4).
Conservation Note
During processing, the collection was refoldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples remain.
Biographical/Historical note
James Rolph, Jr. was San Francisco's 30th mayor, from 1912 to 1931, the longest term served by a San Francisco mayor. Born
in 1869 in San Francisco, he attended Mission District schools, graduating from Trinity College in 1888. Rolph became a successful
shipbuilder and banker. He married Annie Reid, with whom he had three children. A charming and energetic man, he was known
as "Sunny Jim."
Rolph oversaw the reconstruction of City Hall and the construction of many San Francisco buildings and tunnels and the Hetch
Hetchy water system. He was also Vice President of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915.
A member of the Republican Party, Rolph lost his party's nomination for Governor in 1918 but carried the Democratic ticket.
He couldn't accept the minority party's nomination. In 1931, he left City Hall to take office as Governor of California. Rolph
died in 1934.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes diaries of Rolph's daily mayoral activities in 1917 and 1927, some correspondence, and campaign documents.
Included is a note stating police captains should not permit gambling.
Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level and organized alphabetically by folder title.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Rolph, James, James, 1869-1934 -- Archives
Mayors--California--San Francisco
San Francisco (Calif.)--Politics and government--20th century
Box 1, Folder 1
Biographical Articles,
1924-1930
Box 1, Folder 2
Correspondence,
1909-1917
Box 2, Folder 1
Diary Activities (List),
January-February, 1912
Box 1, Folder 4
Liggett Home Fund Pledges,
1919-1921
Oversized Box 3, Folder 1
Playground Commission Certificates,
1916-1928
Box 1, Folder 5
Political Campaigns,
[19--]-1930
Oversized Box 3, Folder 2
Box 1, Folders 6-7
Speeches and Other Messages,
1926
Box 1, Folder 8
Tribute Dinners,
1912-1930
Oversized Box 3, Folder 2
