The New City Hall, San Francisco, California, 1915

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
John Channing
Extent:
1 album (62 photographic prints: b & w); 20 x 27 cm. 62 digital objects
Language:
Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

The New City Hall, San Francisco, California album contains 62 photographic prints taken in 1915 by John Channing. The album features the newly-constructed San Francisco City Hall, built to replace the previous structure which was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906. Designed by architects John Bakewell, Jr. and Arthur Brown, Jr. (of Bakewell and Brown), and begun in 1913, the nearly complete City Hall as shown in the album was fully occupied by city officials in 1916. The album affords a comprehensive survey of both exterior and interior features of the building. Views include the west and east facades, several doorways, the dome, the rotunda, the grand staircase, officials' chambers, galleries, windows, and various sculptural and other architectural details. Also pictured in several views is the Civic Center Plaza, situated to the east of City Hall. One print (No. 10) includes what is likely a portion of the Exposition Auditorium, also then under construction as part of the greater Civic Center.

The album prints are stamped and embossed with the name and logo of Channing, and are bound in the album by a cloth backing. The front cover of the album bears the title, "The New City Hall, San Francisco, California."

Acquisition information:
The New City Hall, San Francisco, California album was purchased in 1957.
Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481