Society of California Pioneers

Allen (Walter C.) Papers, 1943-1944, 1943-1944

Walter C. Allen Papers, 1943-1944, 1943-1944

Summary

Abstract:
Documents related to the writing and publication of an article by Walter C. Allen about the creation of the original San Francisco City Directory and its two reprints published by Charles P. Kimball in 1850.
Extent:
6 folders
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Walter C. Allen Papers, 1943-1944. The Society of California Pioneers.

Background

Scope and content:

Six folders which include handwritten notes, original draft and publication proof for an article written in 1943-1944 by Walter C. Allen about the publication of the original San Francisco City Directory by Charles P. Kimball in 1850. Also included in this collection are the correspondence between Allen and various librarians about the original City Directory and its publication, photographic reproductions of some pages from the directory, its cover and a photo of Charles P. Kimball, and an undated newspaper clipping of an article about the city directories.

Biographical / historical:

Walter C. Allen (Walter Cummings Allen) was born in San Francisco on October 27, 1867 and died March 18, 1948. Mr. Allen became a member of the Society of California Pioneers on September 3, 1929 tracing his pioneer roots through his father Henry Monroe Allen. Mr. Allen graduated from the University of California with a degree in civil engineering in 1891 and worked as an electrical engineer for his entire career. He held positions in Schenectady, NY (1893-1894), the District of Columbia (1894-1924), and Philadelphia, PA (1924-1933). Mr. Allen also served in public office as the Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Commission for the District of Columbia from 1916 to 1924. He was married Alice Margaret Allen on February 19, 1902. (Institutional Archives, Society of California Pioneers, vol. 7)

Date Event
1943/1944 Walter C. Allen Papers, 1943-1944
Arrangement:

Folder 1: Proofs of Publication of The Society of California Pioneers For the Year 1943, containing Allen's article "San Francisco's First City Directory and Its Two Reprints." Also separate proof of the first two pages of the article. Folder 2: Article draft. Folder 3: Reproductions for the article. Contains negative image of Kimball, 6 photos and photocopies of the original City Directory, and 4 negative images of pages of the original City Directory. Folder 4: 40 letters from Allen and various librarians about the original City Directory and its two reprints. Folder 5: 6 pages of Allen's handwritten notes for the article. Folder 6: Undated newspaper clipping: "Olden S. F. Relives in Directories" by Douglas S. Watson.

Physical location:
Stored on-site at the Society of California Pioneers
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Names:
Allen, Walter C.
Kimball, Charles P.
Places:
San Francisco

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open by appointment for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to reproduce or publish must be submitted in writing to the Librarian.

Preferred citation:

Walter C. Allen Papers, 1943-1944. The Society of California Pioneers.

Location of this collection:
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107, US
Contact:
(415) 957-1849 ext. 160
mmdevine@californiapioneers.org
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