Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Access Points
Biography
Scope and Contents Note
Related Collections
Project Index
Descriptive Summary
Collection Title: Irving F. and Gertrude Comfort Morrow Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1914-1958
Collection Number: 1992-1
Creators:
Morrow, Irving F., 1884-1952
Morrow, Gertrude Comfort, ca. 1892-1987
Garren, William I.
Morrow & Morrow
Morrow & Garren
Extent: 6 boxes, 2 flat boxes, 2 flat file drawers, 10 tubes
Repository:
Environmental Design Archives.
University of California, Berkeley.
Berkeley, California.
Abstract: The collection primarily documents the professional activities and architectural projects of Gertrude Comfort Morrow and Irving
F. Morrow, including projects created by the firms of Morrow & Garren and Morrow & Morrow.
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the
Curator.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Irving F. and Gertrude Comfort Morrow Collection, (1992-1), Environmental Design Archives. University
of California, Berkeley. Berkeley, California.
Acq Information
The Morrow collection was donated in 1992.
Access Points
Architects--California.
Architecture--California.
Architectural firms--California.
Women architects.
Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, Calif.)
St. Francis Wood, San Francisco.
Commonwealth Club of California.
Historic American Buildings Survey.
Golden Gate International Exposition (1939-1940: San Francisco, Calif.)
Biography
Irving F. Morrow (1884-1952)
Irving F. Morrow was born in Oakland, California in 1884. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1906, and attended the Ecole des
Beaux-Arts from 1908 to 1911.
Morrow began his practice in San Francisco and Oakland in 1916, designing schools, houses, banks, theaters, hotels, and commercial
buildings. Highlights of his career include working on the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915, consulting on
the architecture of the Golden Gate Bridge from 1932 to 1937 (he chose its orange color), and participating in the San Francisco
Golden Gate International Exposition from 1939 to 1940. He also designed the rectory and guest house of the San Juan Bautista
Mission. During his career, Morrow worked for William Hays, John Galen Howard, and other Bay Area architects. He practiced
with partner William I. Garren from 1916 to 1925. From 1925 until 1952, he was a partner in Morrow and Morrow with his wife
Gertrude. (They married in 1920.)
Irving Morrow was a member of the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects. He was
the editor of Pacific Coast Architecture, San Francisco, from 1916-1919 and 1921-925, and contributed to the Architectural
Record and various other periodicals. From 1930-1941 he was the chairman on the Section on Architecture of the Commonwealth
Club of California. Morrow also served as the Director of the American Historical Building Survey (HABS) for California north
of San Luis Obispo.
Gertrude Comfort Morrow (ca. 1892-1987)
A California native, Gertrude Comfort Morrow was born in San Francisco and attended Alameda High School. She received her
bachelor's degree in architecture from UC Berkeley in 1913, and her master's degree a year later. As a student, she designed
the Gamma Phi Beta sorority's coat of arms in 1912. She worked on her own before joining the firm of her husband, Irving F.
Morrow. Gertrude practiced architecture with Irving from 1924-1940, in San Francisco and later in Berkeley. She was the supervising
architect for St. Francis Woods, a residential neighborhood in San Francisco, during World War I (under her maiden name, Gertrude
E. Comfort). Other independent projects include the Women's Athletic Club in Oakland and the music building at the Monrovian
Seminary and College for Women in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Together, Gertrude and Irving Morrow designed the Alameda-Contra
Costa County Building for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition at Treasure Island. Gertrude retired from architecture
in 1952, when Irving died. She then became an award-winning ballroom dancer and a landscape watercolorist, and died in Tucson
at the age of 95.
Scope and Contents Note
The Morrow collection primarily documents the professional activities and architectural projects of Gertrude Comfort Morrow
and Irving F. Morrow, including projects created by the firms of Morrow & Garren and Morrow & Morrow. The collection is organized
into four series. Series I, Professional Papers, consists of resumes, awards, student works and clippings relating to both
Irving and Gertrude Morrow. It also contains records related to Irving's involvement and membership in professional organizations
such as the American Institute of Architects and the Commonwealth Club of California. Series II, Project Records, is Arranged
according to creator and chronology. It consists of photographs, correspondence, and drawings from project by Irving F. Morrow,
Morrow & Garren, Gertrude Morrow, and Morrow & Morrow. Series III consists of Irving Morrow's Historical American Buildings
Survey (HABS) records, including certificates, photographs and catalogs. The bulk of the collection was donated to the archives
in 1992, however, the final series contains one drawing that was donated separately, in 1959.
Related Collections
Title: Gustave Aaron Papers
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 73/66 c
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Project Index
The Project Index list is arranged alphabetically by Project/Client Name and contains information, where available, about
the location, date, project type, architect, collaborators, photographers, and formats for each project in the collection.
Project/Client Name (location, date, project type) Collaborator (role), Photographer [Format - Ms=Manuscripts, Dr=Drawings,
Ph=Photographs]
- Adamson, Florence ( Berkeley , CA ; 1939-1940 ; residential-multi ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Ms]
- Allen, Harry B. ( Belvedere , CA ; 1932 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- American Legion Club House, Golden Gate Post ( San Francisco , CA ; n.d. ; recreational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Ms]
- Bank of Bishop & Co. ( Honolulu , HI ; 1920 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow, Irving; Mullgardt, L.C. [Dr]
- Berkeley Women's City Club ( Berkeley , CA ; n.d. ; recreational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Ms, Dr]
- Bethlemhem Steel Co. & Alameda Shipyard, Alameda Repair Yard ( Alameda , CA ; 1943 ; industrial ) Collaborator: Morrow &
Morrow [Ms]
- Brenner, Adolph ( Ross , CA ; 1939 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Butler ( San Leandro , CA ; 1939 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- California & Hawaiian Sugar Refing Corp. Ltd. ( Crocket , CA ; 1933 ; industrial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Carnation Creamery Building ( Oakland , CA ; 1946 ; industrial ) Collaborator: Stiehl, Claude Albon [Dr]
- Clear Lake Union High School ( Lakeport , CA ; 1916 ; educational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Dr]
- Clement Office Building ( San Francisco , CA ; 1923 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Dr]
- Cowell, Olive & Henry ( San Francisco , CA ; 1933 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Ms, Dr]
- Currier, Mrs. Farnsworth ( Berkeley , CA ; 1942 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow, Gertrude Comfort [Dr]
- Davis, Robert P. ( Menlo Park , CA ; 1937 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Paul Elder & Company ( San Francisco , CA ; 1930 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Design - Flats Opposite Mission Dolores ( San Francisco , CA ; 1917 ; residential-multi ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Ms]
- Fontainebleau Apartments ( San Francisco , CA ; 1923 ; residential-multi ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Ms]
- Frost, Morris P. ( Berkeley , CA ; 1937 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Frost, Morris P. ( Berkeley , CA ; 1937 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Frost, Morris P.: Office ( Oakland , CA ; 1937 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Galerie Beaux-Arts ( San Francisco , CA ; 1929 ; cultural ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Ms]
- Gamma Phi Beta House, alterations ( Berkeley , CA ; 1930 ; residential- multi ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Gelber, Leon ( San Francisco , CA ; 1937 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Getz, B, Geary Street Stores ( San Francisco , CA ; 1923 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Dr]
- Golden Gate International Exposition: Alameda & Contra Costa Counties Building ( Treasure Island , CA ; 1937-40 ; recreational )
Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow; Harry Shepherd , landscape [Ms, Dr]
- Goddard, Malcoln ( Walnut Creek , CA ; 1914 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow, Irving [Ms]
- Hebrew Free Loan Association ( San Francisco , CA ; 1932 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Ms]
- Heckscher, Miss E.: St. Francis Wood ( San Francisco , CA ; 1919 ; residential ) Collaborator: Comfort, Gertrude [Ms]
- Heppner, Maurice ( San Francisco , CA ; 1923 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Ms]
- Design -House schemes ( , ; 1935 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Design -Houses A, B, & C ( , ; 1935 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Design - Houses A, B, C, & D ( Oakland , CA ; 1950 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- International Minerals & Chemical Corp. ( San Jose , CA ; 1945-9 ; industrial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow; Claude Albon
Stiehl [Ms, Dr]
- Jacobson, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph ( Burlingame , CA ; 1952 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Jewish People, Community Center for ( Oakland , CA ; 1923 ; recreational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Kimber, Mr.- Farm House ( Ampney Fields , CA ; 1926-8 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Dr]
- Ladies Home Journal Competition ( , ; 1939 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow [Ms, Dr]
- Lewis, Mr. Phillips Lewis (studio) ( Oakland , CA ; 1922 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Martin School ( Berkeley , CA ; 1952 ; educational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Mason, R.C. ( San Francisco , CA ; 1918 ; residential ) Collaborator: Comfort, Gertrude [Ms, Dr]
- McCay, Mr. C.C., Flats for ( San Francisco , CA ; 1940 ; residential-multi ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- McCormack, Dr. Franklin ( Woodside , CA ; 1930 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Monument ( Harrodsburg , KY ; nd ; cultural ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow; Jacques Schnier, Sculpt. [Dr]
- Murphy, Mr. W.P. ( Pebble Beach , CA ; 1939 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Nelle, Mr. H. Wm. ( Unidentified , ; 1919 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Oak Tree Inn ( San Mateo , CA ; n.d. ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Parish, Mr. T.T. ( Unidentified , ; 1938 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- PHA Dwelling Unit (Georgeson, Frank T., Associates) ( San Francisco , CA ; 1951 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Phillips ( Oakland , CA ; 1922 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren [Ms]
- Powell, Mr. Wm. A. ( Claremont , CA ; 1919 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Powell, Mr. Wm. A., Addition for ( Claremont , CA ; n.d. ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Rancho Paicines ( Unidentified , ; 1938-9 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Record Library, The ( San Francisco , CA ; 1938 ; educational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Rosseter, Mr. & Mrs. F.H. ( San Francisco , CA ; 1923 ; residential-multi ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Rowe, Dr. Albert ( Oakland , CA ; 1931 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- San Mateo Hotel ( San Mateo , CA ; 1927 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- San Mateo Theater ( San Mateo , CA ; 1924 ; recreational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Savana School ( LeGrand , CA ; 1929 ; educational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Shank, Floyd C. ( San Francisco , CA ; 1930 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- St. Francis Wood- House #1, Building #159 [See Wadleigh, William]
- St. Francis Wood- House #2, Building #160 (25 Terrace Drive) ( San Francisco , CA ; 1921 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow
& Garren
- Toohig, Joseph D. ( San Mateo , CA ; 1935-6 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- U.S. Navy Operating Base ( San Francisco , CA ; 1944-6 ; governmental ) Collaborator: Morrow, Gertrude Comfort
- Union High School, Study for ( Lakeport , CA ; n.d. ; educational ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Union Oil Company Service Station ( Unidentified , ; n.d. ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Vision Realty Co., Theater Building for ( San Francisco , CA ; n.d. ; cultural ) Collaborator: Morrow & Morrow
- Wadleigh, William (St. Francis Wood - House #1, Building #159) ( San Francisco , CA ; 1921 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow
& Garren
- Wahrhaftig, Mr. (farm house) ( Unidentified , ; 1923 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- Ward, J. Walter Esq. ( Berkeley , CA ; 1915 ; residential ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- West Portal Avenue Stores #2 ( Unidentified , ; 1923 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren
- West Portal Stores- ( Unidentified , ; 1923 ; commercial ) Collaborator: Morrow & Garren