Bulletin Is 30 ��Recent Contributors Published When We Are Able

CALIFORNIA S T A T E LIBRARY FOUNDATION Number 117 2017 CALIFORNIA S T A T E LIBRARY FOUNDATION Number 117 2017

EDITOR 2 ��Finding the California State Library’s First Sacramento Home Gary F. Kurutz By Dr. Leigh Johnsen EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Kathleen Correia & Marta Knight 8 ��The Minor Arts in the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building COPY EDITOR By Dr. Mark T. Riley M. Patricia Morris

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 16 ��“Miss California”: A Profile of the State Library’s Caroline E. Wenzel Kenneth B. Noack, Jr. By Gary F. Kurutz President Donald J. Hagerty 22 ��Robert Livingston Presents Commemorative Coins Vice-President and Medals to the State Library Thomas E. Vinson By Dr. Robert J. Chandler Treasurer Marilyn Snider 24 ��Hidden Treasures – Santa Catalina Island Edition. Secretary From the Collections of the California State Library By Gary Noy Greg Lucas State Librarian of California 26 ��Foundation Notes

JoAnn Levy Marilyn Snider Spotlight on New Acquisitions: Phillip L. Isenberg Thomas W. Stallard Marilyn & Lee Snider Make a Generous Donation Mead B. Kibbey Phyllis Smith By Gary F. Kurutz Gary Noy Angelo A. Williams Jeff Volberg Foundation Co-Sponsors Best Practices Exchange Of Walking Beams, Paddle Wheels, and Diesel Engines: Gary F. Kurutz Marta Knight The Paul Jorgen Gothesen Collection Executive Director Foundation By Michael Dolgushkin Administrator Sacramento State University Hosts Special Exhibit of Shelley Ford Bookkeeper State Library Rare Books

Opinions of the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their institutions, Front Cover: A portrait of Mercury/Hermes, Jupiter’s messenger, pictured with his the California State Library or the Foundation. winged helmet and a caduceus, a staff circled with ribbons, is repeated several times The Bulletin is included as a membership on the corridor friezes of the Library & Courts Building. See article by Dr. Mark T. Riley. benefit to Foundation members and those Back Cover: This neoclassical plaque that graces the south wall of the first floor individuals contributing $40.00 or more annually corridor of the Library & Courts Building was created by San Francisco sculptor to Foundation Programs. Membership rates are: H. Winterhalder. See page 11. Associate: $40-$99 Illustrations / Photos: Pages 2-5, Center for Sacramento History, Rebecca Crowther, Contributor: $100-249 Sponsor: $250-$499 photographer; all remaining images are from the collections of the California State Patron: $500-$999 Library, Vincent Beiderbecke, photographer. Institutional: $500 Design: Angela Tannehill, Tannehill Design | www.angelatannehill.com Corporate: $750 Lifetime Member: $1,000 California State Library Foundation Pioneer: $5,000 1225 8th Street, Suite 345, Sacramento, CA 95814 Subscription to Libraries: $30/year tel: 916.447.6331 | web: www.cslfdn.org | email: [email protected]

bulletin 117 1 Finding the California State Library’s First Sacramento Home

By Dr. Leigh Johnsen

he California State Library has been corner of J and Third Streets, and a struc- California in or before 1850. At that point, misplaced for decades. It’s not as ture adjacent to the Hastings Building he had a wife twelve years younger than though we can’t find our way to its often called either the Hastings Annex or himself, an infant son, and apparently current locations in Sacramento or San the Wormser Building.2 an older son from a previous marriage. Francisco. The problem rests with opinions This article argues that the Hastings The Sacramento City Directory for 1851 of where it stood in the middle of the nine- Building never hosted the State Library. describes him as a merchant and banker.3 teenth century. Instead, it advances the candidacy of the Hastings prospered in Sacramento. By The building most often cited as its so-called Wormser Building, and it envi- 1853, he commanded enough capital to home between 1854, when Sacramento sions minor roles for the Jansen Build- purchase three buildings on the southwest became California’s seat of government, ing, another structure on J Street, and the corner of J and Second Streets damaged or and November 1869, when the Library Overton Block. destroyed by Sacramento’s disastrous fire moved into the State Capitol, is the Hast- The Hastings Building, the long-favored of November 1852, but then rebuilt with ings Building, which still stands at the candidate, may be the most famous struc- bricks. One stood directly on the corner, southwest corner of J and Second Streets ture in Old Sacramento. Its owner, Ben- the other two adjacent to it on the west side in Old Sacramento.1 Other candidates jamin Franklin Hastings, was born in of Second Street. Their previous owner, have included the Overton Block, at the Pennsylvania around 1812 and arrived in Wesley Merritt, had lost them as a result of

2 California State Library Foundation “Read’s Brick Block, corner of J and Third ing twenty by eighty-five feet. Hastings Streets, Sacramento.” Located on the first floor was the Literary Depot of the Kirk himself, it asserts, occupied one, whereas Brothers, Book Sellers and Stationers. two brothers from Germany named Isa- Sacramento Pictorial Union, July 4, 1854. dore and Simon Wormser ran a clothing apparel business out of the other.7 If the city directory was accurate, either structure could have been considered the Hastings Building. By extension, linking the State Library to either building would have placed it in the “Hastings Building.” Both possibilities, however, rest on the assumption that the directory was accurate, which it was not. In a lithograph from 1854, two two- story brick buildings stand on the southwest corner of J and Second Streets. The one directly on the corner bears Hastings’ name, and its closest neighbor to the west that of the Wormsers. Both have the same facades now as in the past, judging from the number of doors and windows in each. Currently, frontage on J Street for the building the Wormsers rented measures twenty feet, whereas that of the Hastings Historian Dr. Leigh Johnsen stands in front of the Building is forty feet. These dimensions iron doors at the entrance to the State Library when it was located on the second floor of the Wormser remained unchanged from 1854 to 2017. Building in present-day Old Town Sacramento. According to early Sacramento tax records, the only parcel Hastings ever owned in this part of the city stood on the EDITOR’S NOTE southwest corner of J and Second Streets. Leigh Johnsen wrote this article as a consult- The segment that faced J Street bore the ing historian at the Center for Sacramento address of 30 J Street. Tax plats indicate History. He holds a doctorate in American that it measured forty by eighty-five feet.8 history from the University of California, Riv- financial hardship. Hastings bought them It did not have enough space to hold two erside, and a master’s degree in library and at auction, occupied them early in 1853, buildings whose total measurements information science from the University of and modified them to form one structure.4 exceeded those dimensions. Force of logic Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Articles of Hastings ran his bank out of the space on and the weight of evidence demonstrate his have appeared in the Western Historical the first floor. Over time, other businesses that Hastings owned only one building Quarterly, Civil War History, and the Jour- moved into the building, among them fronting on J Street at this corner and that nal of Church and State. In addition, he has Wells Fargo and Company.5 According to somebody else held title to the structure worked for the Claremont Graduate Univer- the Sacramento Daily Union, modifications the Wormsers occupied, at 28 J Street.9 sity, the University of California, Davis, the started in December 1854 made space to Sacramento’s tax plats identify that University of the Pacific, and the San Joaquin house the California State Supreme Court.6 owner as Jonathan Nichols. A native of County Historical Society and Museum. He The Sacramento City Directory for 1854- Massachusetts, Nichols had set sail from has edited the Papers of Isaac Backus and, 55 claims that Hastings owned not only the Salem in December 1848 aboard the Eliza, with John Niven, James P. McClure, and structure that housed his bank, but also the first ship to clear that port for San others, the Salmon P. Chase Papers. We the only building adjacent to it on J Street. Francisco after the discovery of California are grateful to Dr. Johnsen for his meticu- It describes both structures being made gold.10 Charles Osmyn Brewster, a future lous research in locating the beginnings of the of brick, having two stories, and measur- partner of Nichols and another Bay Stater State Library in Sacramento.

bulletin 117 3 This image from 1854 shows the B. F. Hastings Banking House, which also served as the first Sacramento location of the California Supreme Court. Next door is the Wormser Building on J Street.

hailing from Boston, arrived in California forty-niners. Sometime in 1849 or 1850, stand at 28 J Street. If the city directory around the same time. At that point, both Brewster and Nichols made their ways to of 1854-55 can be trusted on this issue, men were in their early twenties, appar- Sacramento and gained legal title to the lot Nichols, who had become sole owner in ently with neither wives nor children.11 at 28 J Street.12 1850, had it constructed in 1853. 13 The trail gets colder for Nichols and One single-story building stood on Nichols’ building was the second to host Brewster shortly after their arrival in Cali- the lot at that point, and it was prob- the California State Library after it arrived fornia. Nichols had already gained immor- ably made of wood. If so, it most likely in Sacramento. According to the city direc- tality as “a humorist of rare poetical and burned to the ground in 1852 due to the tory of 1854-55, it stopped first at the Over- musical talent” and the composer of “Oh! fire that destroyed most of Sacramento ton Block, a short distance to the east of 28 J California,” a revision of Stephen C. Fos- in November of that year. The building Street, on the corner of J and Third Streets. ter’s popular song “O Susannah!” that the Wormsers occupied two years later However, it stayed there only briefly.14 In mirrored the enthusiasm of California’s was the first brick structure known to November 1855, the State Tribune reported

The California State Library: Milestones in Early Sacramento 1854 FEB. Sacramento becomes the seat of California’s government. MAY The California State Library is located in the Overton Block, at the corner of J and 3rd Streets.

1855 JULY The State Library moves into Jonathan Nichols’ building at 28 J Street, next to the California State Supreme Court, which occupies space in the B. F. Hastings’ Building.

1857 FEB. Once again, the California State Library moves, this time with the Supreme Court, two blocks east to the Jansen Building, on the southwest corner of J and Fourth Streets.

1859 DEC. The State Library and Supreme Court return to the southwest corner of J and Second Streets, two blocks to the west.

1869 NOV. Finding a permanent home, the State Library settles into rooms in the recently completed California State Capitol.

4 California State Library Foundation its address as “the 2nd story of the Hast- ings’ Block,” a description vague enough to encompass a large section of the southwest corner of J and Second Streets.15 The city directory for that year seemed to offer more precision, placing the State Library in the “Hastings Buildings.”16 The editor and publisher in 1855 was Samuel Coleville, however, and accuracy was not one of his strengths, at least not in that neighborhood. Coleville had also master- minded the 1854-55 city directory, which had offered inaccurate measurements for the Hastings Building and listed the wrong owner for the so-called Wormser Building. An article printed in the Sacramento Daily Union on July 12, 1855, clarified mat- ters. According to it, the Library had landed This 1854 map delineates the bustling business section of Sacramento. The darkened rectangular shapes bordering the streets indicate buildings. at 28 J Street, the building Nichols owned. “The State Library…is in the process of arrangement in the second story of the brick building on J Street, adjoining Hast- ings’ building,” it reported. “Access to the library will only be had through the prem- ises of the Supreme Court, a communica- tion having been established between the respective buildings.” According to the Sacramento Daily Union, the State of California paid Nichols 1,350 dollars to house the Library from April 1856 to January 1857. Up to the beginning of 1857, the Library had stayed at 28 J Street less than a year and one-half. However, in February, it moved once again, this time to The site of the California State Library (second building from the left) on J Street, in Sacramento, its third address in Sacramento, retracing 1855-57 and 1859-69, as it appears in 2017. To the far left is the B. F. Hastings Building. the route east on J Street, past the Overton Block, to the Jansen Building, at the south- retraced their steps, heading back to their rely on William Mundy Harron, a former west corner of J and Fourth Streets. The second location in Sacramento, at the cor- sea captain also from Essex County who Supreme Court moved with it.17 ner of J and Second Streets.19 happened to be Payson’s brother-in-law.22 Reality had not met expectations. Writ- A change in ownership might have The State Library stayed at 28 J Street ing to the state controller, Justices Peter eased the transition. According to a deed throughout the 1860s. Noting damage H. Burnett and David S. Terry complained from August 1859, Nichols took as equal inflicted by California’s notorious flood about “want of proper accommodations” partner Edward Holden Payson, who, as of 1861-62, one newspaper article mistak- for the Supreme Court. They depicted Nichols did at that point, resided in Essex enly placed it “in the same building with “the room used as a State Library” as County, Massachusetts.20 Tax plats from the Supreme Court,” in a statement that “being entirely unfit for such purposes.”18 the 1860s indicate that Payson eventu- recalled Coleville’s in 1854.23 However, in However, complaints continued despite ally assumed full ownership with Alice M. an entry that detailed the State Library’s the move to new quarters. In 1859, the Davis, his sister.21 To represent them in location, governance, history, and hold- Supreme Court and the State Library Sacramento, the siblings were known to ings, the city directory for 1861-62 identi-

bulletin 117 5 fied its address as 28 J Street.24 The Sacramento Daily Union added its alded a transformation. In 1871, Hastings’ Verification for that address came from endorsement in 1865. In an article that dis- bank failed, his building passed into other the Mining and Scientific Press, which in cussed efforts to elevate buildings as a mea- hands, and he moved to San Francisco.27 1864 guided readers to the Library in sure to reduce damage from floods, it turned The structure at 28 J Street changed own- an article reminiscent of the description its attention to the corner of J and Second ership around the same time, with Payson printed in 1855. Streets. “Joel Johnson … is in negotiation and Davis selling to Gregory. Almost over- The Library is situated in the rear of with B. F. Hastings for a contract to raise night, the former center of law and research the Supreme Court rooms, corner J the Supreme Court Building, on the south- shifted elsewhere as Gregory and her fam- and 2nd Streets. The entrance is by a west corner,” it reported. “When this build- ily started to dominate the neighborhood flight of outside steps, or iron stairway, ing goes up [William M.] Harron’s building, with their expanded grocery business.28 from the top of which you pass along occupied by the State Library, [Mary] Grego- Over time, memories faded. Eventually, a contracted hall and enter a narrow ry’s Building [the next building to the west], only scattered, often disjointed and mis- doorway, which is the only means of and the adjoining building, fronting on J leading fragments could be found hinting ingress to a library which, in its selec- Street, will be raised together.”26 at the tortured path the California State tions, is second to the libraries of but The departure of the State Library for Library followed before finding a perma- few of the oldest States in the Union. 25 the new capitol in November 1869 her- nent home. 

ENDNOTES 1. According to Vickie J. Lockhart, “Califor- September 1, 2016, Kyle Wyatt, California corner a number of times before 1853, at nia State Library Changing and Expanding Capital District Historian for the California least once dividing it into two lots, one Sites,” California State Library Foundation State Department of Parks and Recreation, forty by forty feet, another forty by forty- Bulletin 69 (Fall 2000/Winter 2001):1- expressed apparent support for Henley. five feet. The former equated the total area 2, the Library followed the governor and The author wishes to thank Wyatt for his of the forty by forty foot lot with “Merritt’s legislature from temporary capitol to tem- willingness to share research on the block Brick building.” Merritt to William Grove porary capitol before arriving in Sacra- in Old Sacramento that includes the Hast- Deal, Apr. 14, 1851, Mortgage Book B, 352- mento. The Sacramento Daily Union, Jan. ings Building. 53, CSH; Merritt to Charles Crocker, Dec. 1, 1870, reported that the Library moved 24, 1851, Mortgage Book C, 319-20, CSH; 3. Unless otherwise specified, all citations into the State Capitol in November 1869. and advertisements for the Maurice Res- to the U.S. Census refer to manuscript taurant and Emporium of Fashion in the 2. Candeub, Fleissig and Associates, “Old Sac- returns for Sacramento. Genealogical Sacramento Daily Union, Jan. 21, 1853. An ramento Historic Area and Riverfront Park: information about Hastings can be found advertisement for the auction in the Sac- Technical Report” (Redevelopment Agency in the California State Census, 1852, Cali- ramento Democratic State Journal, Mar. 2, of the City of Sacramento, undated), 197; fornia State Archives, Office of the Secre- 1853, and another for Hastings’ bank in William C. Dillinger, “Interpretive Plan tary of State, 80A; Sacramento City Direc- the Sacramento Daily Union, Apr. 8, 1853, for Old Sacramento State Historic Park” tory (1851), 19; Great Register of Voters, indicate that Hastings acquired the build- (California Department of Parks and Rec- Sacramento County, 1866-71, 5, Center ings in March or April 1853. reation, 1971), 197; and Heather Lavezzo for Sacramento History (hereafter cited as Downey, “Old Sacramento Underground CSH); U.S. Census, 1850, 148; and U.S. 5. For the location of B.F. Hastings and Tours: Get the Low Down: An Interpretive Census, 1860, 97. Hastings eventually Company, Bankers, see Sacramento City Plan” (Historic Old Sacramento Founda- moved to San Francisco, where members Directory (1853-54), 35; Sacramento City tion, 2010), 92. Champions of the Overton of his household are enumerated in the Directory (1854-55), 47; and Sacramento Block include the Sacramento Guide Book U.S. Census manuscript returns for 1880 City Directory (1855), 40. A sign that (Sacramento: Sacramento Bee, 1939), 94; on page 12. A brief obituary of Hastings advertises Wells Fargo and Company and Lockhart, “California State Library,” appears in the Sacramento Daily Union, appears on the Hastings Building in a 1-4, although Lockhart unfortunately con- Apr. 22, 1882. lithograph of the structure. See George flates the Overton Block with the Hastings H. Baker, A Birds-Eye View of Sacramento, 4. Sacramento City Directory (1854-55), 11, Building. Doug Dempster, “Board Will The City of the Plain (San Francisco: Brit- 13. Regarding damage from the fire of Ponder Fate of Landmark,” Sacramento ton and Rey, 1857). November 1852, see the Sacramento Dem- Bee, Nov. 27, 1971, cites former Sacra- ocratic State Journal, Nov. 12, 18, and 20, 6. “Supreme Court,” Sacramento Daily mento historian James Henley rejecting 1852. The same newspaper, Dec. 3, 1852, Union, Dec. 29, 1854. the candidacy of the Hastings Library, mentions construction of two adjacent favoring instead an unnamed building 7. Sacramento City Directory (1854-55), 11. buildings that Merritt owned on Second “next door.” In a personal interview on Regarding the Wormsers, see Sacramento Street. Merritt mortgaged property on the

6 California State Library Foundation City Directory (1853-54), 60, 96; Sacra- destroyed the Overton Block, but the 22. Harron’s full name is given in Great Reg- mento City Directory (1854-55), 94; Sac- name was retained “by courtesy.” See the ister of Voters, Sacramento County, 1866- ramento City Directory (1860), 127; and Sacramento City Directory (1854-55), 4, 11. 71, 220, CSH. The Census of 1850, Salem, “Simon Wormser Dies Suddenly,” New The Pictorial Union, July 4, 1854, includes Massachusetts, Essex County, Ward 1, York Herald, July 31, 1895. an image of the building as it existed in lists him as a “mariner,” and the Census 8. For property ownership of this lot over 1854. See pages 2-3, herein. of 1860, Sacramento, as a “Retired Mcht.” time, see Sacramento Assessors’ Tax 15. The State Tribune went on to claim mis- Harron’s first wife was Ann Eliza Mellus, Plats, 1853-54 to 1870-71, CSH. Measure- takenly that the Hastings Block could according to her death notice in the San ments for it can be seen in ibid., 1853-54 be found “on the southwest corner of J Francisco Evening Bulletin, Dec. 11, 1861. and 1854. The address appears, for exam- & Third Streets,” which was actually the She and Amelia Mellus Payson, Edward ple, in Sacramento City Directory (1854- location of the Overton Block. Lockhart, H. Payson’s first wife, shared the same 55), 47. Sacramento changed its street “California State Library,” 3. mother and father, as shown in “Massa- numbering in 1880. This article cites chusetts Deaths, 1841-1915,” database with 16. Sacramento City Directory (1854), 76. numbers used under the old system. images, FamilySearch, Ann Eliza Mellus, 17. Lockhart, “California State Library,” 3. 06 Mar. 1826, citing Dorchester, Suffolk, 9. For the street address of the Wormer’s “Laws of California Passed at the Ninth Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 0873755 business, see the Sacramento City Direc- Session of the Legislature,” Sacramento IT 3; and ibid. Amelia Mellus Payton, 23 tory (1854-55), 94. Daily Union, Apr. 26, 1858, noted pas- Apr. 1889; citing Salem, Massachusetts, v 10. Sacramento Assessors’ Tax Plats, 1854- sage of legislation to reimburse Nichols, 400 p. 355, State Archives, Boston; FLH 55, CSH; “The Early Trade to California,” but mistakenly misspelled his last name microfilm 960,240. The Sacramento Tax Sacramento Daily Union, Mar. 4, 1869, as “Nickols.” The Sacramento City Direc- List of 1865-66, CSH, has Harron pay- reprinted from the Salem (Mass.) Register, tory (1857-58), xxix, placed the Supreme ing property taxes for Payson and Davis Feb. 4, 1869; and Jonathan Nichols and Court at “Janson’s Building, corner on May 8, 1866. Harron apparently knew Mary Nichols to Edward Payson, June 13, Fourth and J streets.” Jonathan Nichols, as well, for he adminis- 1855, Deed Book P, CSH, 613-14. tered Nichols’ estate after he died in 1874. 18. Terry and Burnett to State Controller, Mar. See Probate Records of Nichols, File No. 11. “Obituary. Charles O. Brewster,” New York 2, 1858, Controller files, F3617:130 (1852- 1671, CSH. Additional information about Tribune, Aug. 29, 1888. 1906) California State Archives, Office of Harron, including his title as “Captain,” the Secretary of State, Sacramento. 12. “Early Trade to California”; Salem (Mass.) appears in his death notice in the Daily Register, Jan. 22, 1874; and Sacramento 19. “City Intelligence,” Sacramento Daily Alta California, June 8, 1878. Assessors’ Tax Plats, 1850, CSH. Union, Dec. 19, 1859. 23. “What Are the Laws of Civil War?” Sacra- 13. Baker, Birds-Eye View; and Charles O. 20. Jonathan Nichols to Edward H. Payson, mento Daily Union, Jan. 20, 1862. Brewster to Jonathan Nichols, Aug. 6, Aug. 29, 1859, Deed Book Z, 477, CSH. 24. Sacramento City Directory (1861-62), xv, 1850, Deed Book D, 368-69, CSH. Regard- Payson’s full name is listed in California 124. ing the date of construction, see the Sacra- Society, Sons of the American Revolu- mento City Directory (1854-55), 11. Another tion, Register of the Society of the Sons of 25. “The State Library,” Mining and Scientific interpretation suggests it was built in 1854 the American Revolution. (San Francisco, Press, Jan. 4, 1864. and 1855, based on a notice in the Sacra- 1901), under the entry for his son, Albert 26.“City Intelligence,” Sacramento Daily mento Daily Union on March 25, 1854, mis- Henry Payson. Union, July 29, 1865. takenly claiming that masons had recently 21. The Tax Plat for 1866, CSH, lists Payson started work on a twenty by eighty foot 27. “Bank Failure,” Daily Alta California, Nov. and Davis alone as owners of the lot, sug- two-story brick addition to the Hastings 2, 1871; “California. The Hastings Bank gesting that the transition occurred in Building to accommodate the California Failure-The Estate Taken Out of Bank- 1865 or 1866. California Society, Sons of Supreme Court, whereas the site of con- ruptcy,” Daily Alta California, Dec. 7, 1871; the American Revolution, Register, identi- struction was actually Nichols’ building and “To the Creditors of B. F. Hastings fies Payson’s wife as Amelia Mellus Pay- and the beneficiary the State Library. Merle & Co.,” Sacramento Daily Union, Nov. 4, son and his parents as Lemuel Payson Carnegie, “Architectural Report on the B. 1871. For his move to San Francisco, see and Joanna Newhall Payson. The same F. Hasting’s Building in ‘Old Sacramento the Sacramento City Directory (1871), 261. parents are identified in the death notice State Historic Park’” (1970), 17. of Alice M. Payson, in “Massachusetts 28.Sacramento Tax Plats for 1870-71 and 14. By 1854, the block was also known as the Deaths, 1841-1915,” database with images, 1872-73, CSH, indicate that Payson and “Read Block” or “Read Building,” as in FamilySearch, Alice M. Payson Davis, 27 Davis sold the real estate in 1871 or 1872. Read and Company Bankers, which occu- Feb. 1902; citing Salem, Massachusetts, v. Regarding the fruit and produce dealer- pied space in the structure and evidently 528, p. 657, State Archives, Boston; FHL ship of the Gregory family, see the Sacra- owned it. The fire of November 1852 had microfilm 2,057,736. mento City Directory (1875), 268.

bulletin 117 7 Sculptor Edward Field Sanford Jr. created this massive pediment for the Library & Courts Building titled ‘California’s Gift to the World.’ with its relief sculptures. In the center is Justice with her sword in her right hand and the owl of wisdom in her left. Justice has assumed the attributes of the Roman goddess Minerva and her Greek counterpart Athena (the helmet and owl). Other relief sculptures flank Justice, including Mars, whose shield displays the aliforniaC State Seal.

8 California State Library Foundation The Minor Arts in the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building

By Dr. Mark T. Riley

EDITOR’S NOTE n giving architectural tours of the his- late 1920s to create the classical portraits glasses to get a better view of those beauti- Itoric Library and Courts Building for and mythological scenes. The Southern ful faces and figures from the ancient past. over three decades, I have always wanted California company had also produced the Last, he generously agreed to write-up the to be able to accurately identify mytho- beautiful painted ceilings in the Memo- results of his study for our Bulletin readers logical faces and figures that decorate its rial Vestibule and Circulation Room. It is and our wonderful docents. ceilings and walls. Several of them such also assumed that Charles P. Weeks, the Dr. Riley is now professor emeritus, as Medusa and Mercury are easily rec- building’s architect, selected the themes California State University Sacramento. ognizable, but there are many more that as many of the other decorative elements He retired in 2006 after thirty-seven remain a mystery. This has been a source are directly attributable to him.1 distinguished years on the faculty. Still of frustration. In addition, since the com- One day, I asked John Allen, Sierra Col- very active, he specializes in Latin and pletion of the building’s restoration in lege instructor, State Capitol Museum classical languages, literatures, and lin- 2013, a docent program has been estab- curator, and frequent library patron if he guistics. In 1969, the professor received lished to give architectural tours, thereby knew of anyone who specialized in classi- his doctorate from Stanford University in further increasing the need for tour lead- cal antiquity. Immediately, John suggested the classics. He has numerous books and ers to have accurate information especially a former professor of his, Dr. Mark T. articles to his credit including The Neo- when asked to explain a particular face. Riley. John arranged for a meeting and Dr. Latin Reader: Selections from Petrarch to To the best of my knowledge the Anthony Riley enthusiastically agreed to help. This Rimbaud (2016), A Classical Greek Reader Heinsbergen Decorating Company of Los scholar then spent several days studying (2014), and The Mirror of Minds or John Angeles received the commission in the the ceilings and walls and using his opera Barclay’s “Icon Animorum” (2014).

he Library and Courts Building is tibule depicting “War through the Ages,” many of these, going floor by floor. The well known for its major art instal- and four large paintings on American building’s entrance faces north with its lations. Even before entering the Indian themes by Maynard Dixon; these east wall towards the Capitol; so I will refer building the visitor can look up and are mounted on the walls of the second to walls by their compass point. The cor- admire Edward Field Sanford Jr.’s pedi- floor corridor. The largest of the building’s ridors which contain decorative elements ment with its relief sculptures. In the cen- installations is Maynard Dixon’s spec- are all on the north side of the building ter is Justice with her sword in her right tacular mural, “A Pageant of Traditions,” and can be accessed by the public. hand and the owl of wisdom in her left. which fills a large part of the south wall of On the ceiling of the wide but shallow Justice has assumed the attributes of the Gillis Hall, the main reading room. entryway which leads into the Memorial Roman goddess Minerva and her Greek But the observant visitor will also spy Vestibule are six large panels depicting counterpart Athena (the helmet and owl). many smaller murals, marble and terra the major gods of Greco-Roman mythol- Other relief sculptures flank Justice, cotta panels, mosaics, and lamps deco- ogy. Four of these are standard depictions including Mars, whose shield displays the rated in a style consistent with the Beaux of the gods; two are less obvious. Where California State Seal. Inside the building, Art Neo-Classical architecture of the build- appropriate, I give the god’s Roman name major installations include twelve murals ing and inspired by ancient myths and followed by the Greek name. From east to by Frank Van Sloun in the Memorial Ves- works of art. In this article, I describe west, they are as follows:

bulletin 117 9 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

1. Apollo driving the chariot of the sun, 3. Minerva/Athena, the goddess of wisdom, 5. I have not been able to identify the gods since he is often identified as the sun arts, and crafts. She wears her aegis, a or the scene portrayed in this image. god. On his back he carries a lyre, sym- breastplate with a Gorgon’s head, and The large standing figure should be bolizing his role as god of the arts, espe- holds an olive branch (her tree) and a Mercury, because of his winged hel- cially music. Apollo’s name is used in spear. On the left is Nike (Victory) and on met, but there is no myth known to both Greek and Roman mythology. the right is Jupiter, Minerva’s father. The me in which Mercury threatens any- owl is associated with her; the snakes one. The winged female figure and the 2. The chief god Jupiter/Zeus seated on symbolize wisdom and cunning. The cowering figure who is threatened by his throne and casting his weapon, the coins of the city of Athens were stamped Mercury also remain mysterious. thunderbolt. On the left is his symbol, with a bust of Athena on the obverse and the eagle. At the lower right is Mercury/ an owl on the reverse.2 6. Mars, the god of war, reporting to Jupi- Hermes, Jupiter’s messenger, pictured ter, who is seated on his throne. A with his winged helmet and a cadu- 4. The goddess of love, Venus/Aphrodite, grieving woman sits at the side of the ceus, a staff circled with ribbons, which on the right, with two attendants. The throne. Mars has his usual shield and was the ancient badge of a herald. (The smaller is Cupid/Eros; the larger is one helmet. Jupiter is portrayed as a Roman ribbons were original, but in modern of the minor goddesses attendant on emperor with a laurel wreath and staff. times they are often replaced by snakes, Venus, Harmonia, Hebe, or one of the which should be used only in the staff Graces. The doves are a symbol of Venus. of Asclepius.) The female figures may represent Jupiter’s amorous conquests of Leda, Danae, Io, and many others.

10 California State Library Foundation On the end walls of the Memorial Ves- tibule are two cast plaques in neoclassical style by H. Winterhalder, a sculptor born in Zürich who worked in San Francisco until the 1930s. On the east wall, the figures are picking grapes; on the west wall they are placing flowers in a vase. After passing through the Memorial Vestibule into the first floor corridor, on the long south wall, the visitor sees two more plaques by Winterhalder. One shows two women picking fruit, the other two women carrying the fruit in a shallow basket. Plaques of a similar style, possibly also by Winterhalder, can be seen in Gillis Hall and the Circulation Room. Right below the corridor’s ceiling, the visitor will find a continuous frieze of palmettes, also called anthemion, Greek for “little flower” scrollwork; and busts of figures inspired, for the most part, by Greco-Roman mythology. A similar frieze can be seen in the main corridor on each floor. However, the third floor corridor has palmettes and scrollwork only, no images. These images are approximately 10 x 10 inches and are arranged in a 6 – 10 – 6 pattern, with six images at the ends of each corridor by the stairwell and elevators, and ten images in the main central corridor. Many images are repeated throughout the building. Some of these can be identified, including Jupiter and Juno, queen of the gods, Cupid and Diana, goddess of the hunt (note her quiver and arrows) and Mercury and Medusa, the Gorgon with snakes for hair, who also appears on Minerva’s aegis. Others can be

A continuous frieze of palmettes, also called anthemion (Greek for “little flower”) decorates several of the public corridors.

bulletin 117 11 June, the Medusa. queen of the gods. said to be “inspired by” classical art. These include the female (?) bust with Mercury’s wings.(fig. 7) and the rather disturbing fantasy figure, which also can be seen on other floors, of a Greco-Roman warrior with winged helmet and a knife through his throat. The only related myth is the story of the death of Ajax. After the death of Achilles, the Greeks planned to award his magic armor “to the bravest.” Ajax Diana, the Fantasy figure. and Ulysses/Odysseus were the two can- goddess of didates. Ulysses/Odysseus was awarded the hunt. the armor, and Ajax went mad and threw himself on his sword. This episode was pictured on ancient Greek vase paintings. It is a mystery why our artist selected this scene, if indeed that was his intention.3 The second floor corridor is also decorated with the palmette and scrollwork frieze painted right below its ceiling. Many images are similar to those in the first floor corridor, including the knifed warrior, who Fantasy figure. Ulysses. now has a bird on his head, but several are new, including one inspired by ancient vase paintings of Ulysses/Odysseus, who was often pictured wearing a leather helmet armored with boar’s tusks. In ancient paintings this often looks like a modern beanie, but it is carefully described in Homer’s Iliad. The bust of a woman with a bushy hairdo, an image with more than a trace of pre-Raphaelite influence, occurs eight times on this floor, plus twenty-six times on the fourth floor, in fact the only image The bust of a woman with a bushy hairdo, an image with more than a trace of pre-Raphaelite influence, occurs eight times on the second floor, plus twenty-six times on the fourth floor. Why the artist favored this found there. Why the artist favored this por- portrait is a mystery. Was she his mother? A wife? A lost love?

12 California State Library Foundation trait is a mystery. Was she his mother? A wife? A lost love? One can only speculate.4 The building’s third floor is a cornucopia of various art forms: ceiling decorations, large cast plaques, and of course the Gil- lis Hall murals. The corridor walls display the same palmette and scrollwork design next to the magnificent coffered ceiling, but no images. In the ceiling at the center of the corridor, right outside the door to the Circulation Room, are four paintings portraying the four seasons: Spring is Venus with her doves, grasping flowers in her left hand; Summer is a woman har- vesting sheaves of grain with a sickle; Fall is a woman holding a bunch of grapes; Winter is a woman warming her hands at a brazier. Entering the Circulation Room the visitor finds much to admire. The coffered ceiling has panels showing Cupids, also called Putti, centered in an imaginary structure of columns and vases which are repeated around the ceiling. These panels, done by the Heinsbergen Decorating Com- pany of Los Angeles, later to become well known for decorating hotels and theaters, mirror the tromp-l’oeil (“deceive the eye”) style of Pompeiian wall paintings, which frequently portray on painted interior walls colorful architectural features like windows or panoramic views of distant buildings. From the middle of the ceiling hangs a magnificent bronze chandelier of hexago- nal shape. On the six faces of its structure, two images are repeated. One is Orpheus

bulletin 117 13 seated on a rock and playing for a lion or panther, thus soothing the animal’s savage nature. The other shows a woman seated on a chair in front of an altar and reading a scroll. Perhaps she is a Muse, but posi- tive identification escapes me. In the center of the floor, right below the chandelier is a mosaic portraying a figure of vaguely Near- Eastern character, with wings, a mural crown (like a city wall), and snake-like lower appendages, which remind the visitor of the snake which circles the chandelier right above. Also on the floor in the corners are four smaller mosaics portraying a bull, an eagle, a prancing horse, and a fish or sea monster. High in the corners of the Circu- lation Room eight circular cast plaques can be seen with some difficulty. There are four designs; the diagonally opposing plaques are the same. Shown on these plaques are two women in various poses: in one, they each hold a piece of paper that looks to be a letter and their heads are bent, perhaps reading the letter; in a second one, woman appears consoling the other, both still holding the letters; in the third, together they carry a large basket full of flowers; in the Built originally in the 1920s to serve a utilitarian fourth, the two are in a dancing pose holding a long object, perhaps a snake. The style function as an extension of the Capitol’s office matches the four cast plaques on the first floor and may be by Winterhalder, but no space, the quality of its architectural design and signature can be seen when viewed from the floor. I have described these plaques the craftsmanship of its interior ornament have in an order which implies a story: the two women have received bad news and one transformed this building into a monument to consoles the other, but soon good news arrives and they rejoice with flowers and California’s rich artistic and historical heritage. dancing. But any such interpretation is a conjecture based on the date of the plaques, early 1920s not long after World War I. Also on the third floor, four rectangular plaques of a similar style adorn the corners of Gillis Hall; as in the Circulation Room, the diagonally opposite plaques display the same image. One situated on the west end of the north wall and east end of south wall, perhaps represents the birth of Jupiter/Zeus, who was hidden from his murderous father Saturn/Cronus on

14 California State Library Foundation Mt. Ida in Crete. The female Corybantes Saturn. attended him, dancing and singing loudly to conceal the infant Jupiter’s crying from Saturn. (Saturn swallowed all his children, but missed Jupiter, who later forced his father to disgorge his siblings.) One female figure holds the baby while the other two dance. The figure on the left may be holding a castanet; the one on the right an oil lamp. On the other plaque, three women are dancing; to the left, Minerva/Athena holds a small figure in her hand, while the crouching central figure holds a torch. The main corridor on the fourth floor is relatively featureless, displaying only the usual palmette and scroll design, with one particular image copied from the second floor and repeated around the top of the wall. Display cases in the corridor recount the history of the State Supreme Court and its justices. The fifth floor has an elaborate coffered ceiling decorated in the same style as the first and second floor corridors, palmettes and scrollwork with twenty-two images, some identifiable. With minor variations Diana, Medusa, Mercury, and the stabbed warrior are repeated from the image seems to be of a Persian king with first floor. Another figure represents Sat- a tiara which is also seen on the first floor, ENDNOTES 1. For further information on the Library & urn/Cronus, Jupiter’s father. He is often perhaps modeled on the image of King Courts Building see numbers 69 (2001) pictured with a robe covering his head and Darius in the famous Alexander mosaic and 106 (2013) of the Bulletin. A PDF is with a threatening demeanor. Somewhat 6 from Pompeii. also available of number 106 via the Foun- odd is the absence of any figure represent- Among the treasures of the Califor- dation’s web site at www.cslfdn.org. Click ing justice, law, or the like, since this floor nia State Library are the monuments of on Bulletins and Other Publications. was originally planned to hold the court- typography, engraving, and graphic arts 2. For an example see http://athenianowl- room of the California Supreme Court. of all eras which are occasionally put on coins.reidgold.com/. The State Library Meeting Room on the public display. But on permanent pub- 3. For example, see https://commons.wiki- fifth floor, originally designed as the court- lic display is one of the Library’s greatest media.org/wiki/File:Ajax_suicide_BM_ room for the Supreme Court, has a spec- treasures, one shared with the California F480.jpg#/media/File:Ajax_suicide_ tacular ceiling with a central round area Supreme Court, the Stanley Mosk Build- BM_F480.jpg. corresponding to an oculus, if it were open ing itself. Built originally in the 1920s to 4. Compare the image of this woman to Ros- to the sky. The State Seal is modeled there, serve a utilitarian function as an extension setti’s 1880 portrait of Mnemosyne found and a large brass chandelier hangs from of the Capitol’s office space, the quality of at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ the center. On the walls are hanging lamps its architectural design and the craftsman- File:Mnemosyne_(cropped).jpg. whose brackets are surmounted by the ship of its interior ornament have trans- 5. For example, see http://historyofinforma- bust of a Persian king, perhaps inspired by formed this building into a monument tion.com/images/darius_the_great.jpg. Persian relief sculptures.5 to California’s rich artistic and historical 6. See: http://media.gettyimages.com/ Just below the ceiling at the top of the heritage. I hope I have explained some of photos/battle-of-issus-detail-depicting- staircase, the familiar palmette and scroll- the more obscure interior images for the darius-iii-of-persia-mosaic-of-a-pic- work frieze with images can be seen. One curious visitor to this building.  ture-id567917521.

bulletin 117 15 Because of her expertise Wenzel was called upon as a judge at the California State Fair. In this photographed she is flanked on the right by the historian Carroll D. Hall and newspaper “Miss California” publisher J. R. Knowland.

16 California State Library Foundation Profile of the State Library’s Caroline E. Wenzel By Gary F. Kurutz

hen Caroline Wenzel, the when it was under the direction of State fornia libraries by establishing the county head of the Library’s Cali- Librarian James L. Gillis.2 At the time, all library system, instituting a statewide inter- fornia Section announced her the students were female and were proudly library loan program, and opening the retirement in 1952, it sent shock waves referred to as “Gillis Girls.” Completing vast collections of the State Library to the through the history community. Newspa- her studies, Wenzel landed a job at the general public. It was under his powerful pers up and down the state printed the State Library, and ten years later, happily direction that the California Section was news. While several leading California and joined the library’s prestigious California established. Garoutte organized the unit Western historians were interviewed and Section. She had the good fortune of work- and put in place many of the policies and all praised Wenzel and wished her well, ing as an assistant to the department’s procedures that would govern its operation there was a down side to her departure. founding librarian, Eudora Garoutte.3 Gil- for virtually the entire twentieth century. What were researchers going to do without lis hired Garoutte in 1899 at a pivotal time During those years under Garoutte, Wenzel the easy availability of the foremost expert in the State Library’s history. A remarkably soaked up California history and became on California history? Over the course of farsighted man, Gillis revolutionized Cali- the proverbial walking encyclopedia. nearly forty years, Wenzel had developed a reputation as the preeminent expert and final authority on California history. She was heralded throughout the Golden State as the doyenne of Californiana and often referred to with the adulatory title of “Miss California.” Sixty-plus years later, her name has surfaced again. Early next year, the prestigious Sacramento Book Collec- tors Club will publish a new edition of their well-received 1945 book, The First History of Sacramento City by Dr. John F. Morse. Included in this printing will be a reprint Wenzel poses at her of Wenzel’s meticulously researched biog- desk in her home study. From this office, she raphy of the river city’s pioneer historian. answered many research The following is a modified version of the questions, read books profile I wrote for the Club about this giant and articles on California and Sacramento history. 1 among librarians and historians. Upon retirement, it was Born in San Francisco in 1886, the her goal to write a history of Sacramento but too daughter of George and Jennie Wen- many demands on her zel, Caroline moved to Sacramento with time and prevented her family at the tender age of five. She the completion of what would have been an attended local schools and obtained her invaluable book. college degree from the University of Cali- fornia at Berkeley. As she matured, this budding scholar developed a passion for history and books and decided that the best way to express that passion was to become a librarian. She enrolled in the first class of the California State Library School in 1914

bulletin 117 17 Wearing a gorgeous In 1933, Garoutte retired and it was only dress and eye-catching natural that Wenzel took over as the super- hat, a young and attractive Caroline vising librarian of the California Section. Wenzel posed for this With the Library now located in the stately studio photograph. new Library and Courts Building, Wenzel continued her mentor’s legacy. More than anything, she believed in the highest level of public service and gave equal treatment to the tyro researcher or the established scholar. She thoroughly enjoyed the peda- gogical role of the librarian. One can only imagine what it was like for a newcomer to walk down that long corridor leading to the spacious and elegantly decorated California History Room and to be greeted by a smil- ing and enthusiastic Wenzel, eager to help. Over the years, Wenzel expanded her department’s collections but, more impor- tantly, greatly enhanced its accessibility. One of its greatest assets is its special index known as the California Information File. Under her direction, Wenzel’s staff of one librarian and two clerks added thousands of index cards containing information on people, places, and events in California history. This would include citations from books, periodicals, newspapers, and manuscript collections. Continued to this day, it is argu- ably the finest data base there is on Califor- nia history.4 This, in turn, was supported by the San Francisco Newspaper Index. Both these resources saved library patrons countless hours of tedious searching. In addition, staff typed out obituaries and per- tinent articles gleaned from newspapers and periodicals. Blessed with an engaging personality, she also convinced researchers to turn over their citations on whatever California subject they were investigating. These resources she systematically placed into her then famous black binders. With these powerful bibliographic tools, Wenzel answered scores of in-person, telephone, and written requests for California information literally from around the globe. As brought out in various newspapers, journal articles, and book acknowledg- ments, Wenzel commanded the respect of everyone studying the state’s past. A true

18 California State Library Foundation scholar, she was a stickler for facts and insisted on accuracy. “Committing an error The title page of in history,” she remarked, “is like tossing Sacramento Book a pebble into the water. Its ripples go on Collectors Club third publication. Wenzel and on.” An article in the Sacramento Bee, contributed a well- captured a lighter side: “Graced with a researched biography of Dr. John F. Morse, pixie-like sense of humor, she once said: Sacramento’s first ‘History is a little like a woman — many historian to this sides and contradictory. You have to pur- handsome book. sue her with a box of chocolates under one arm and a bull whip under the other.’” With such an agile mind and love of California history, this dynamic librarian naturally became active with various historical and bibliophilic groups, foremost of which was the Sacramento Book Collectors Club. She participated in its meetings and helped with proposed publications. Wenzel, as mentioned above, wrote the detailed biography of pioneer historian Dr. John F. Morse for Publica- tion No. 3, The First History of Sacramento City (1945). Next year, the club will publish a new edition of Dr. Morse’s history. In 1950, the club published its fourth book, a new edition of Sacramento Illustrated. To give it context, this handsome quarto came with an “Introductory Note by Caroline Wenzel.” In those days, “Introductory Note” was syn- onymous with exhaustive research consisting of a comprehensive history of the original 1855 Sacramento imprint. Remarkably, she served only as the Club’s vice-president in 1953 and never held any other office. Per- haps, her tireless effort in preserving and making accessible California history precluded holding other positions. Many other organizations called upon her expertise including the California Historical Society, American and Cali- fornia Library Associations, American Pioneer Trails Association, Sacramento Historic Landmarks Committee, Sacra- mento County Historical Society, Sacra- mento Saturday Club, and the League Included in the California History of Women’s Service to name just a few. Section’s Caroline Wenzel Collection is this beautifully designed Because of her esteemed reputation, these diploma awarded to Wenzel upon her graduation from Sacramento High School on June 26, 1907.

bulletin 117 19 professor Rodman Paul from the California Institute of Technology wrote, “Miss Wen- zel’s patience is rivaled only by her knowledge of California history,” and prolific San Francisco journalist and author, Joseph Henry Jackson likewise applauded her in a three-column article in the January 18, 1953, issue of the San Francisco Chronicle. No less an esteemed figure than Governor Earl Warren praised her in a letter, “You have reason to take pride in the fact that your efforts have contributed tremendously to the creation of the great fund of knowledge which is now available to all who would know the story of our great state.” Now in control of her own time, Wen- zel planned to devote herself to writing a The marquee at the Caroline Wenzel Elementary School honors the contribution of Wenzel to California history of her beloved city of Sacramento. history. On May 27, 1970, the Sacramento Unified School District named the school in her memory. However, researchers still sought her out, and her retirement merely meant a shift “I have a collection groups frequently invited Wenzel to give from the State Library’s reference desk to talks at their meetings and to assist with her home library. Laughingly, she told Har- of books at home which their publications. On June 16, 1940, for riet Smith of the Bee, “I have a collection example, she gave a lively presentation of books at home which I call my conceit I call my conceit library. to the California Historical Society at the library. I call it that because the authors Stanford Mansion in Sacramento entitled have mentioned me in their acknowledge- I call it that because “Finding Facts about the Stanfords.” The ments and inscribed the gift books to me.” society published her address in its Sep- Soon, other related projects distracted the authors have tember 1940 issue of its quarterly. her. One of her major contributions was In the fall of 1952, Wenzel broke the to prove that for thirty-five years Sacra- mentioned me in their news of her retirement from the State mento had designated the wrong build- Library following thirty-seven illustrious ing in present day Old Town as the Pony acknowledgements years of public service and twenty-two Express headquarters. Through painstak- years as chief of the California Section.5 ing research she determined that it was and inscribed the Her announcement, effective December the B. F. Hastings Building. Given this 31, became an event of statewide impor- level of sleuthing, it is not surprising that gift books to me.” tance. Newspapers in Sacramento, San the Sacramento Bee itself depended on her Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles pub- fact finding and checking for their award- lished articles celebrating her many con- winning Centennial Album published in tributions. The Sacramento Union in its nine parts in its 1957–58 issues. October 14, 1945, issue wrote, “It would be Regretfully, these challenging tasks and difficult to find an authoritative work on helping others with their research projects California which does not carry either a absorbed her precious time. In the fall of preface by her or an acknowledgement of 1958 a fatal illness struck this grand lady, her assistance.” Several noteworthy histo- and she passed away on March 24, 1959. rians of California sent praiseworthy com- Consequently, Wenzel’s Sacramento his- ments. Carl I. Wheat, the distinguished tory died with her. As the Bee reported, bibliographer and Western map authority “her death shocked her legion of friends said, “You are a maker of authors.” History and contemporaries in library and histori-

20 California State Library Foundation cal circles from the Pacific to the Atlan- Caroline Wenzel Scholarship to support undertaken to have the school named tic.” The extraordinary outpouring of grief research in Western history and librari- in her honor. On May 27, 1970, at 4:00 served as powerful and eloquent testi- anship. The Sacramento Bee initiated P.M., the Sacramento Unified School mony of the vital importance of this librar- the fund with a generous donation of District dedicated the Caroline Wenzel ian-historian. Journals and newspapers $1,000. Federal Judge Sherrill Halbert, Elementary School. Appropriately, Judge spread the sad news lamenting the loss of one of her close friends, served as the Halbert gave the dedicatory address. Car- perhaps the greatest human resource ever fund’s chair and reported that a “steady oline’s sister, Florine Wenzel, presented on the state’s history. One admirer wrote, flow of contributions” had been received. the school with a Sacramento City flag in “To authors and to historians, she is – and An even more moving and lasting tribute her memory. Wenzel’s life and career, as always will be – ‘Miss California.’” emerged. Under construction in today’s expressed by this new educational facility, Fortunately, others perpetuated her Greenhaven-Pocket neighborhood of Sac- would inspire in young people a love and memory. Less than a month after her ramento was a new elementary school. interest in the history of their own city death, the California Historical Soci- Led by the Sacramento Bee and a legion of and state. What a rare tribute to have a ety announced the establishment of the researchers, a successful campaign was school named for a librarian!6 

ENDNOTES

1 Material for this short profile has been off and brought the boxes back to the began electronically recording the refer- gathered from the Caroline Wenzel Bio- Library. They have been fully processed ences. In 2014, the Section started scan- graphical File, a scrapbook of articles and are available for research. ning the original cards. Both sources are and clippings about her life, and the 2 For a history of the California State available via the Library’s web site under Caroline Wenzel Collection consisting of Library School, see Robert D. Harlan, “Discover Our Collections.” By clicking twenty-six boxes of her correspondence, “California State Library School: 1914- on the California History Section, the clippings, speeches, and research notes. 1921.” California State Library Founda- web site will lead to “California History All are in the California History Section, tion Bulletin, 9:12–13. The school closed Room Databases.” Once there, click on California State Library. when the University of California at California Information File II. Concerning her papers, I will never for- Berkeley established its library school. 5 Fortunately for the historical community get receiving a phone call from the late 3 For a short biography of Eudora Gar- and the State Library, Alan R. Ottley suc- Wendell C. Hammon, a paper dealer route, see Gary F. Kurutz, “Eudora ceeded Wenzel as the California Section’s with a shop on Front Street in Old Town Garoutte, Doyenne of California His- supervising librarian. Ottley was an active Sacramento. Hammon told me that he tory Librarian,” California State Library member of the Sacramento Book Collec- learned of more Caroline Wenzel papers Foundation Bulletin, 115, 2015, pp. 28–31. tors Club and won the respect of all for left in her mid-town Sacramento home. It should be noted that the name of the his scholarship and public service. We eagerly went out to this modest yet department has been changed to the Cal- 6 The address of the school is 6870 Green- beautiful residence. One of the hazards ifornia History Section. Previously, it had haven Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831. of procuring collections is that papers been known variously as the California Interestingly, the nickname chosen by can be stored in the most inconvenient Section, California Department, and Pio- the school was the “Wildcats” and the places. In this case, her papers were neer Department. marquee at the front of the school reads located underneath her home. Dutifully, Caroline Wenzel Wildcats. If she lived to I took a deep breath, removed my sport 4 The California Information File, con- see the school named in her honor, she coat, and began the crawl. It was worth it sisting of over one million citations, is no doubt would have been amused by as there were several boxes of material. gradually being digitized. Beginning this energetic sobriquet. Rawrrrr! They were pulled out. I dusted myself in 1985, the California History Section

bulletin 117 21 Noted Western artist Maynard Dixon designed The bank issued this tiny this bronze 1923 Wells medallion in 1969 to mark Fargo “St. Joseph, Mo. to the 100th anniversary San Francisco, Cal.” coin to of the transcontinental celebrate the reenactment railroad. One side shows a of the 1861 record ride of the locomotive with the words Pony Express which carried “Ocean to Ocean” and the President Lincoln’s inaugural other depicts the traditional address to California. Wells Fargo stage coach. Wells Fargo issued this 100th anniversary coin to commemorate the opening of the Sacramento Valley Railroad to Folsom in 1856.

Robert Livingston Commemorative Coins and Presents Medals to the State Library By Dr. Robert J. Chandler

obert Dott Livingston (Feb- twined collections. Commercial impulses the West, and into the East, leaving a goodly ruary 19, 1916–July 30, organized them and Bob’s giving. The last amount of paper. Bob gathered these scraps 2016) was a quintessential described consisting of Wells Fargo com- that told of expansion, agents and agencies, Sacramento pioneer, a civic leader and, memorative coins and medals, he gener- and the multitude of businesses this bank- as Foundation supporter Mead Kibbey ously donated to the State Library. ing and express company performed. says, “President of everything.” A long- Bob’s was not a static collection. He used time member of the Sacramento Pioneer WELLS FARGO COLLECTION these materials from Wells Fargo, plus Association, a banker for American Trust Wells Fargo, founded in New York on information gained from reading micro- Company and then Wells Fargo, Bob March 18, 1852, opened for business in filmed newspapers [no easily searchable could not escape his Gold Rush heritage. San Francisco and Sacramento on July 13, digital ones here!] and bound volumes in Bob embraced it. His love for the City of 1852. Strongly backed by watchful eastern the California State Library to write his nar- the Plain and the history of Wells, Fargo capitalists and run by ethical managers, ratives. From the 1970s through the 1990s, & Co. led Bob into acquiring three inter- Wells Fargo spread throughout California, Bob wrote on Sacramento topics for Golden

22 California State Library Foundation Notes and on Wells Fargo and its competi- in the 1890s, made these feelings pub- Above, left to right: The bank issued this twelve-sided medallion in tors for the Western Cover Society’s phila- lic. It displayed its Western record at the 1980 in honor of its two founders, Henry Wells telic quarterly. Of course, he had a ready 1893 Columbian World’s Fair. More sig- and William G. Fargo. supply of never-published illustrations for nificantly for collectors, the company gave This 1980 oval-shaped medallion commemorated his works. Furthermore, Bob shared his agents U.S. Columbian half-dollars in spe- Wells Fargo’s “gold boat,” the Steamship Antelope insights and collection to all who asked. cial packaging. Now, Bob had a beginning plying San Francisco Bay. Wells Fargo Bank purchased his originals, to collect Wells Fargo medals. Touting its long history of security, the bank and they now reside in the bank Archives. A silver fifty year anniversary medal produced this eight-sided medallion showing a came in 1902. Following the separation Wells Fargo “treasure box.” It is surrounded by two men working a gold scale, crossed rifles, and LETTER DELIVERY COLLECTION of the banking and express businesses other symbols of protecting treasure. Letter Delivery by private express compa- in 1905 and the disappearance of Wells nies and the U.S. Post Office fascinated Fargo’s express into American Railway him. During the 1850s, entrepreneurial Express in 1918, Wells Fargo Bank carried men dominated mail delivery to remote on. Its first medal, designed by Maynard EDITOR’S NOTE locales. Inflated costs and a two-month Dixon in 1923, commemorated the inau- Dr. Chandler contacted me about the late Rob- travel time for official queries to leave gural re-run of the Pony Express that Wells ert Livingston’s notable collection of medals California and instructions to arrive from Fargo managed in 1861. and coins. I immediately called the Livings- Washington, via Panama, hampered the In 1954, Wells Fargo Bank adopted the ton home, and with his grandson, Michael Government service. stagecoach as its logo. Then, in 1960, Shepard, arranged a time to receive the col- Sacramento became California’s capital American Trust Company took over Wells lection. Unfortunately, this generous man was due to its centrality for traveling legislators. Fargo and Bob Livingston. This enlarged very ill but wanted to make sure his collection Mail distribution from this hub a day closer financial institution now had opportuni- had been placed in a permanent home. to the mines was an additional bonus. Bob ties to distribute medals galore through For many years Dr. Chandler served as the acquired examples of all of the post marks its retail branch-banking network. From historian of Wells Fargo & Company. A pro- and Wells Fargo hand stamps used in the then till now, Wells Fargo Bank and vari- digious writer, Dr. Chandler has produced Capital City from 1849 into the 1890s. Bob ous departments have issued medals to scores of articles on the famous company and gave this collection to display in Wells Far- build business, commemorate the past, has authored several books on California and go’s Sacramento Capitol Mall Museum. and sell as souvenirs. Western subjects. In 2014, the prestigious Uni- Bob Livingston collected them all. He versity of Oklahoma Press published his highly WELLS FARGO COMMEMORATIVE gave this unparalleled collection of docu- acclaimed biography, San Francisco Lithog- COINS & MEDALS ments, postal stationery, and medals to the rapher: African American Artist Grafton By the 1880s, Wells Fargo had a sense that California State Library’s California His- Tyler Brown. In addition, he has been a gen- its accomplishments were historic and tory Section. Enjoy!  erous donor to the State Library.

bulletin 117 23 Hidden Treasures Santa Catalina Island Edition From the Collections of the California State Library, by Gary Noy

In 1887, real estate investor George Shatto purchased the largely uninhabited island for $200,000, and worked to estab- lish a permanent colony. Shatto started a settlement that came to be called Avalon and built the first hotel and pier. Shatto’s enterprise struggled financially, and others subsequently purchased the island and the growing resort community. In 1919, chewing gum mogul William Wrigley, Jr. gained controlling interest in the island. Wrigley invested millions to improve public services and construct tourist facilities, including the island’s most visible landmark, the famous Catalina Casino and Ballroom. Beginning in the 1920s, Cata- lina became a frequently used location for motion pictures. More than 500 movies, Syd Chaplin Aircraft Corporation documentaries and television programs Published in Los Angeles by W.A. Hughes, 1919 have been filmed on the island. The Wrig- California History Room, Picture Collection. ley family managed Santa Catalina until Photo: Aviation: Airplanes n 1958, The Four Preps had a 1975, when they deeded most of the island Digital Object: Chaplin Aircraft Corporation hit record entitled “26 Miles to the Catalina Island Conservancy. Across the Sea.” Its lyrics The Island of Romance has been vis- included this memorable refrain: ited by millions of tourists throughout Twenty-six miles across the sea the years, and Santa Catalina became a EDITOR’S NOTE Santa Catalina is a-waitin’ for me, favorite haunt of celebrities. The author This is the second in a regular series of articles Santa Catalina, the island of romance, Zane Grey built a home in Avalon. In by California State Library Foundation board romance, romance, romance. 1943, Marilyn Monroe lived in Avalon for member Gary Noy. A semi-retired history Santa Catalina Island is located in the several months with her first husband teacher at Sierra College, Noy is the author Channel Islands southwest of Los Ange- James Dougherty. World War II General of Sierra Stories: Tales of Dreamers, Schem- les and has been a romantic tourist site George S. Patton often vacationed at Cata- ers, Bigots, and Rogues (Heyday 2014) and a for decades. Often just called Catalina, lina. His family had significant real estate forthcoming book on stories of the California the island is twenty-two miles long and investments on the island. As a teenager, Gold Rush to be published in May. He coed- eight miles across at its greatest width. Patton met his future wife Beatrice in ited The Illuminated Landscape: A Sierra The island’s primary destination is its only Avalon. Charlie Chaplin, Joan Craw- Nevada Anthology (Sierra College Press, incorporated city, Avalon, where ninety ford, Clark Gable, Betty Grable, Cecil 2010). A popular speaker, Noy has given over percent of its 5,000 residents live. The B. DeMille, James Cagney, and Johnny 300 presentations to community groups and rocky island was first inhabited by the Weismuller were regular visitors to Santa historical organizations. Pimuvit Indians and has been controlled Catalina Island. In this Bulletin department, we highlight by Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Santa Catalina Island played an impor- unusual photographs and documents from Santa Catalina has been utilized for otter tant role in aviation history. In 1919, the the California State Library that have been hunting, mining, smuggling and, since first regularly scheduled, privately owned unobserved for years, sometimes even decades. the late nineteenth century, tourism. domestic passenger airline service in the

24 California State Library Foundation Chicago Cubs Training Field, Santa Catalina Isle E.F. Mueller Postcard Collection, c. 1930 California History Room: Picture Collection; Stacks 3 F868.E23 Photo: Los Angeles County: Catalina Island Digital Object: Chicago Cubs

six miles from Los Angeles to Catalina. trol of Santa Catalina Island in 1919, he Caught with Rod and Reel by Mrs. George Gemilere at Catalina Island, California, Whether the flight would arrive safely was immediately sought to publicize the island October 11th, 1902 a serious concern. The previous day, on a as a tourist paradise. One method used 1902, SoCa Digitization Project test run, the seaplane gobbled up so much the Chicago Cubs, the professional base- California History Room, Picture Collection; Photo: Los Angeles Co.: Catalina Island: Avalon brine that the engine would not start. ball club owned by the Wrigleys. Begin- Digital Object: Caught with Rod and Reel Despite Syd Chaplin’s apprehension, the ning in 1921, the Cubs used Catalina for by Mrs. Geo. Gemilere flight landed in Catalina without incident. Spring Training. This photograph shows United States flew its inaugural flight The Syd Chaplin Aircraft Corporation the diamond constructed for the team in from Los Angeles to Catalina. The airline lasted less than a year. When regulations 1921 in Avalon Canyon. Not surprisingly, was the Syd Chaplin Aircraft Corporation, requiring more comprehensive pilot licens- Avalon residents referred to it as “Wrigley owned by Charlie Chaplin’s older half- ing, expensive taxation of planes, and cost Field.” It was the first use of the name and brother Sydney. Syd Chaplin’s airline was prohibitive trip insurance were adopted, the predates the much more famous Wrig- an audacious enterprise and a sensation. company spiraled deeply into debt. Chaplin ley Field in Chicago by six years. Prior Utilizing three-passenger seaplanes, the abandoned the aviation business in 1920. to 1927, the Chicago baseball field was Curtiss “Flying Boats,” the tickets from Sport fishing was an attraction on Santa known as Weeghman Park and Cubs Park. LA to Catalina were $25 one way and $40 Catalina Island from its earliest days as a The spring training games were free and roundtrip, that would be $343 and $548 resort. In one photograph, twenty-three- quickly became a popular attraction. Wrig- in 2017 dollars. More than 100 people year-old Mrs. George Gemilere proudly ley and the Chicago Cubs trained on Santa submitted applications for the two avail- displays her catch from October 11, 1902. Catalina Island from 1921 to 1951, except able seats on the first flight (one seat on The Gemilere family were pioneering resi- during the World War II years of 1942 the three-passenger plane was reserved dents of the island. They ran a boatyard. to 1945. During the war, the island was for the pilot). Chaplin’s business partner In September 1902, George Gemilere utilized for a number of military activi- Emery Rogers and Charlie Chaplin’s lead- married Bertha Chapman. This photo- ties, including the training of Merchant ing lady Edna Purviance were selected for graph was taken of newlywed Bertha just Marines and Coast Guard, an Army Sig- the initial journey on July 12, 1919. Purvi- weeks after her marriage. George and nal Corps radar station, Naval demolition ance broke a bottle of grape juice on the Bertha Gemilere became leading lights in training, and preparation of operatives for seaplane’s structure mimicking the chris- the Catalina community and references to the Office of Strategic Services, the fore- tening of a ship. Rogers, Purviance, and “Mrs. George Gemilere” fill Avalon news- runner of today’s CIA. pilot Arthur C. Burns departed for Santa papers for decades until her death in 1962 Catalina’s Wrigley Field no longer exists Catalina at 9 AM. The trip would take at age eighty-three. and the grounds of the ballpark are now about thirty minutes to travel the twenty- When William Wrigley, Jr., secured con- part of the Catalina Country Club. 

bulletin 117 25 Foundation Notes

Spotlight on New Acquisitions: Marilyn and Lee Snider Make a Generous Donation By Gary F. Kurutz

ongtime Foundation Board Member Marilyn Snider and her husband Lee Snider gen- Lerously donated $10,000 in my honor. Totally elated and surprised by this incredible gift, I decided to use the Marilyn and Lee Snider donation to purchase new treasures for the Library’s California History Section.

A DELUXE COPY OF MARK TWAIN’S FAMOUS TALE One prize that I wanted for the section was landing. What makes this copy even more the Cheloniidae Press edition of Samuel exciting is that this was the Kelm’s own Langhorn Clemens’s famous work whose copy. The bookbinder also signed it on the full title is The Jumping Frog, The Private limitation page. Printing of the “Jumping Frog” Story, An While the leather cover with its four Afterword by Mark Twain. I saw this several frogs is dazzling, this limited edition has months ago at an antiquarian bookstore in several other noteworthy features. Twain’s San Francisco and desperately wanted it, famous Gold Country tale is beautifully but we lacked the funds. Once the Sniders illustrated with numerous black and white sent in their golden donation, I immedi- illustrations by artist and publisher Alan ately telephoned the dealer hoping that it James Robinson. The book itself is housed was still available. Much to my delight, it in a linen box with a pull-out compart- was. The Cheloniidae Press of Easthamp- ment containing a complete suite of art- ton, Massachusetts, published 250 copies ist’s proof wood engravings each signed by of this famous Mark Twain account of an Robinson, a state-proof suite of prints also unlucky frog in the Gold County. However, signed, and the artist’s proof copy of the the bookseller had a very special copy. It regular edition book. is one of only twenty copies printed and The text of the Cheloniidae Press edi- bound in a deluxe format and accompa- tion is from Mark Twain’s Sketches, New nied by a series of special illustrations. and Old. It contains three versions of the Certainly, the most striking feature of this tale: the original published in 1865 as limited edition is its eye-popping bind- The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras ing by Daniel Kelm of The Wide Awake County; the French language translation, Garage of Easthampton. Commissioned La Grenouille Sauteuse du Comte de Cala- by the Cheloniidae Press and showing veras; and the version humorously titled extraordinary imagination that no doubt “restored to the English after martyrdom would have pleased Clemens, Kelm in the French.” The afterword, “The Pri- bound the octavo volume in full white calf vate Printing of the ‘Jumping Frog’ Story” (leather) with a green and tan frog inlaid by Samuel Clemens, first appeared in the on the front cover getting ready to jump. North American Review (1894). Our readers The inside covers are embellished with may be interested to know that the name the same frog in midflight, and the rear of the poor frog whose belly was filled with cover shows the multicolored amphibian buckshot was named “Dan’l Webster.” 

26 California State Library Foundation Foundation Co-sponsors Best Practices Exchange THE ARION PRESS BIBLIOGRAPHY out-of-series publications, commissioned Conference Another purchase made possible by the projects, and a note on ephemera and job Snider gift is a beautiful and essential work printing. Essays by long-time Arion editor he Foundation was a proud sponsor of reference: Bibliography of The Arion Press: Glenn Todd, historian Kevin Starr, book Tof the California State Library and The First One Hundred Books. Published dealer Peter Kraus, and publisher Andrew California State Archives joint Best Prac- in December 2015, this folio-size bibliog- Hoyem place Arion Press in the context of tices Exchange Conference, held recently raphy of the famous San Francisco fine the publishing, art world, bibliophilic, and in Sacramento. During November 1 – 3, press includes a brilliant foreword by for- crafts movements of our time. this informal “unconference” gathered mer State Librarian and historian Dr. Kevin archivists, librarians, and information sys- Starr. Fortunately, the State Library has JAMES W. DENVER MANUSCRIPTS tems managers from all over the country to several Arion Press imprints in its special Last, the Snider’s gift enabled the Founda- present new digital projects, discuss chal- collection. The Arion Press published 500 tion to purchase a superb series of hand- lenges, and share solutions. The Library’s copies of the bibliography. The following is written letters from the late 1840s, many of own Vincent Beiderbecke, with Foundation excerpted from the book’s prospectus and it which were written by or addressed to the consultants Matt Bartok and Brittney Cook, demonstrates why this storied fine press is famous pioneer James W. Denver. Because gave an engaging presentation on compu- a vital California cultural institution. of his association with the early days of the tational photography, using Alfred A. Hart This richly illustrated 308-page volume, State Library, any manuscripts concern- stereographs from the Mead B. Kibbey col- a comprehensive documentation of nearly ing his life are eagerly acquired. The docu- lection. They demonstrated how the library forty years of work, is an indispensable ments, dated from May 3 to June 21, 1847, is using cutting edge technology to make resource for librarians, collectors of Arion record his efforts to recruit Missouri volun- collections more accessible to the public. Press and other fine presses, typography teers to fight in the Mexican War. With the Attendees raved about the trio’s innovative enthusiasts, and all those interested in war over and with the frenzy caused by the use of the technology to solve digitization the history of the book in the late twenti- Gold Rush, Denver migrated to California. problems, particularly with very large for- eth and early twenty-first centuries. Since A natural politician, Denver became Cali- mat items in the historical collections. its founding in 1974 by Andrew Hoyem, fornia’s second secretary of state serving Doug Robinson, Executive Director of Arion Press has played a unique role in from 1853–1855. One of the major duties the National Association of State Chief advancing the traditions of the printed of the office included oversight of the State Information Officers, gave a very topical book, incorporating the work of major con- Library, thus making him the ex-officio state keynote speech regarding cybersecurity in temporary artists, preserving the crafts of librarian. Recognizing the importance of government agencies. A variety of panels typecasting and printing from metal type, this young library to meet the Golden State’s explored subjects such as web archiving, and using its resources to present signifi- information needs, Denver managed to digital preservation, managing federal cant works of literature, be they classics obtain a special fund to build its collections. records, and a massive, collaborative or new writing. In 2001, its San Francisco On November 1, 1855, Denver resigned to California State University online digital workshop was designated an “irreplace- become a U.S. congressman. Incidentally, collection of documents from Japanese able cultural treasure” by the National Denver killed San Francisco newspaper American internment during World War II. Trust for Historic Preservation. Gener- editor Edward Gilbert in a duel. With the Kudos go to Annly Roman in the State ously illustrated in color, Arion’s first one outbreak of the Civil War, Denver became Librarian’s Office, and Nancy Lenoil of the hundred books (1974 to 2013) are each a brigadier general in the Union Army and State Archives for co-organizing a success- described in a professional bibliographical later served as governor of Kansas Territory. ful and fascinating conference.  entry that includes commentary on design Denver, Colorado, is named in honor of our and production. There is a checklist of second ex-officio state librarian.

bulletin 117 27 Foundation Notes

Of Walking Beams, Paddle Wheels, and Diesel Engines: The Paul Jorgen Gothesen Collection By Michael Dolgushkin

n the years immediately following Ithe Gold Discovery of 1848, boat transportation between the port of San Francisco and the inland river town of Sacramento became vital, since that was the only dependable means of transportation to the gold fields before the days of railroads. The river steamers increased in importance as more towns and cities were built along the rivers, and agricul- ture flourished between them. And as more people settled along San Francisco Bay itself, ferry service to San Francisco was established, since many who lived along the bay worked in the metropolis. In 1850, Captain Thomas Gray began operating the Kangaroo between San Francisco and San Antonio Creek, later This is the Certificate of Service to Able Seaman issued to Paul Jorgen Gothesen by the United States known as Oakland Estuary. Within a Department of Commerce on January 10, 1938. Gothesen’s thumbprint is on the reverse. Also included in this collection are Certificates of Identification and of Efficiency to Lifeboat Man issued by the same body. few decades, ferry services had been established between San Francisco and San Francisco Bay ferry services flour- surer Thomas E. Vinson is a collection Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Sausalito, ished until the period immediately preced- that belonged to San Francisco Bay fer- and Vallejo. Shuttle operations between ing World War II, when the construction ryman Paul Jorgen Gothesen. Many San Vallejo and Mare Island, Martinez and of the Golden Gate and San Francisco- Francisco Bay ferrymen at the time were Benicia, and Richmond and San Rafael Oakland Bay bridges put an end to the of Scandinavian descent. Gothesen was were also instituted. Not surprisingly, commute services, leaving only the Rich- born in Kragero, Norway, on November most of these ferries were operated by mond-San Rafael Ferry, replaced by a new 17, 1886 and came to the Bay Area in railroads, among them the Northwestern bridge in 1956, and Southern Pacific’s 1909. He worked as a deckhand on the Pacific, the South Pacific Coast, the Santa vestigial service from the Ferry Building Southern Pacific ferries from 1912 to Fe, the Key System, and especially the to the transcontinental railroad terminus 1920, when he was promoted to second Southern Pacific and its antecedents. The at Oakland Mole, discontinued two years officer, and rose to the rank of first offi- boats connected San Francisco’s iconic later. In the years since, overcrowding on cer six years later. When the auto ferries Ferry Building with these companies’ rail the bridges has revived San Francisco Bay of the bay merged into the new South- operations across the bay. After the turn ferry service, which continues to this day. ern Pacific Golden Gate Ferries, Ltd. in of the century, the ferries began carrying Recently given to the State Library by 1929, Gothesen reluctantly transferred automobiles as well. California State Library Foundation Trea- to the new company since it was the only way to keep his first officer position. He EDITOR’S NOTE stayed until the operation folded in 1940, Mr. Dolgushkin is the Library’s manuscript processing librarian and a frequent contributor to the and then worked as a captain on the Bulletin. In addition, he is an expert on San Francisco history and has authored well-received Richmond-San Rafael Ferry from 1949 to books on the city’s transportation history. 1956. He passed away in Oakland on the

28 California State Library Foundation Here is a soft-focus view of the San Francisco skyline at sunset, taken from Sacramento State the passenger deck of one of the diesel- University Hosts powered automobile ferries. Visible under construction Special Exhibit is the San Francisco- Oakland Bay Bridge, of State Library which will put most of the boats out of service in Rare Books a few years. pening on February 17, 2017 “The OGolden Age of Book Illustration from John James Audubon to Thomas Moran” will be on display in the university’s Library Gallery. The exhibition celebrates that great era when authors, scientists, artists, and publishers collabo- rated to produce some of the most elegant and sumptuously illustrated books ever produced. The highlight of the exhibition is a selection of original hand-colored prints from John James Audubon’s monu- mental The Birds of America (1827–38). It certainly ranks as the most famous and The side wheel ferry Piedmont was built in Oakland in 1883 by the Central Pacific Railroad, passed prized of all color plate books, and noth- to the successor Southern Pacific two years later, and plied San Francisco Bay between the Ferry ing in the annals of book illustration Building and Oakland Mole until January 14, 1939. Later that year she was leased to the Key System and, painted orange, provided service to the Golden Gate International Exposition on equals the majesty of its 435 hand-colored Treasure Island. Scrapped in 1944, Piedmont was unusual among San Francisco bay side wheelers elephant folio plates. While Audubon’s in being propelled by a single cylinder horizontal engine instead of the usual vertical beam. great ornithological work is the highlight, December 9, following his retirement. sel-powered auto ferries, among them the this special exhibition drawn from the col- Gothesen’s collection includes company Fresno, the Santa Rosa, and the Lake Tahoe. lections of the California State Library’s memoranda detailing instructions to ferry Rounding out the album are photos of local General Rare Book Collection and Sutro crews, certificates issued to Gothesen by shipwrecks, the new Bay Bridge under con- Library’s, includes a variety of spectacular the United States Department of Com- struction, and the Matson liner Mariposa. examples ranging from lifelike engravings, merce, employee passes, his marriage cer- None have ever been published. lithographs, and chromolithographs of tificate, and funeral notices. This material The Gothesen photo album has been flowers, snakes, bears, and exotic scenery to has been processed as a manuscript collec- cataloged but is not yet available for view- elaborate reproductions of medieval manu- tion, is available for viewing, and is stored ing. Both parts of this collection taken scripts printed in gold, silver, and bronze. in box #4030. Also donated to the Library together bring us back to a time when Bay The exhibit is curated by Gary Kurutz, by Vinson was Gothesen’s photo album. Area commuters rode their favorite boats emeritus curator of Special Collections with Aside from family photos, crew portraits, to work every day, a more leisurely form the able assistance of Daniel Flanagan of and pilot house views are photos of leg- of transportation than what came after.  the Library’s Preservation Office. Mead B. endary San Francisco Bay ferries such as Kibbey, Foundation board member and the the Piedmont, the Berkeley, the Eureka, the Library’s greatest supporter, purchased the

Newark, and the second Alameda when she SOURCE necessary frames for the display. In toto, still bore her original square pilot houses. Harlan, George H., San Francisco Bay Ferry- over three dozen antique color prints will Also included are some of the newer die- boats (Berkeley: Howell-North Books, 1967) grace the walls of the Library Gallery. 

bulletin 117 29 Recent Contributors

DR. KEVIN STARR CALIFORNIA LITERACY FUND (In Memoriam)

1835 Franklin Street Homeowners Katina and Jeff Mayer, Alpine, NJ Richard Riordan Book Club Association, San Francisco Nick and Tracy McKee, Summit, NJ Charles Cale, Pacific Palisades Jim and Patricia Flanigan, Susan Abbot, New York, NY Kenneth Nemzer, Tiburon Palos Verdes Estates Jamie Anderson, Austin, TX Angela Nerny, San Francisco Donna Foote, Manhattan Beach Louise Bea, San Francisco Panos Papadapoulos, Berkeley Elizabeth Gregory, Los Angeles Anne Bernardo, Visalia Mark and Roxanna Parker, Smartsville Martha Groves, Los Angeles Susan Cronholm, San Francisco Jeffrey Pollack, Atherton Ric and Suzanne Kayne Foundation, John Curry, Brighton, MA Sandy Schuckett, Los Angeles Los Angeles Kelly Lange, Studio City Patrick Curry, New York, NY Harise Staple, Los Altos Nicole and Robert Maloney, Los Angeles Iona Derman, San Francisco Clarice Stasz, Petaluma Bruce and Valerie Merritt, Glendale Kristine Dillon, Brighton, MA Kendra Stoll, Sacramento Lori Milken, Encino James W. Haas, San Francisco Mattie Taormina, Stanford Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Susan Hildreth, Walnut Creek Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vinson, Piedmont Linda Pierce, Playa del Rey Gabriella Isaacson, Belvedere-Tiburon Martha Whittaker, Concord Nancy Goslee Power, Santa Monica KD and Gary F. Kurutz, Sacramento Francille Wilson, Los Angeles Lee Ramer, Los Angeles Quentin and Maria Kopp Foundation, Linda Wilson, Monterey Park Richard Riordan, Los Angeles San Francisco Michael Zischke, Orinda Pat and Michael York, Haig and Connie Mardikian, Palos Verdes Estates John and Susan Molinari, San Francisco San Francisco

ASSOCIATE Dr. Durlynn C. Anema, Galt Norwalk Library, Norwalk Mr. Jonathan Starr, Beverly Hills Rosemary M. Corbin, Richmond Ms. Laura Parker, Davis Virginia Uchida, Sacramento Cox Subscriptions, Shallotte, NC James Randlett, Sacramento Linda Wood, Portland, OR Civic Center Library, San Rafael San Francisco Public Library, California Judicial Center Library, Mr. Steven De Bry, Sacramento San Francisco San Francisco EBSCO, Birmingham, AL Ms. Jeanne M. Sibert, Sacramento Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI Glenn Harris, Sacramento Cy Silver and Rosemarie Falanga, Berkeley Earl Withycombe, Sacramento Elizabeth Leavy, Sacramento Stanford Green Library, Stanford Laura Murra, Berkeley

30 California State Library Foundation CONTRIBUTOR Raymond Alldritt, Sacramento Mr. Ron Lerch, Sacramento Mr. Edgar L. Weber, San Francisco Mr. Forrest E. Boomer, Carmichael Mr. Bart Nadeau, San Francisco In Memory of Charles Reed Joseph Chapa, Sacramento Ms. Dorothy Nieri, Eureka Mr. Richard K. Moore, Huntington Beach Mr. Collin Clark, Sacramento John Rowell, Sacramento In Memory of Don Solem Marcia Goodman, Los Angeles Quentin and Maria Kopp Foundation, Charlene Simmons, Davis Mr. Stephen Green, Fair Oaks San Francisco Robert Tat/Robert Tat Gallery, Peter Hayes, Carmichael Pauline Grenbeaux, Sacramento San Francisco A.J. Watson, Rancho Murietta Teresa Jacobsen, Davis United Way California Capital Region, Mrs. Ruth Kallenberg, Fresno Sacramento

PATRON LIFETIME CALIFORNIA HISTORY Carol and John Jewell, Davis Kevin and Anna Meehan, Folsom Russell & Elizabeth Austin, Sacramento The Richard M. Davis Fund, Novato Mr. James R. Blaine, Vacaville The Bookery, Placerville Krystyna Borgen and Lisa Brown / BRAILLE & TALKING BOOK LIBRARY Cengage Learning, Mason, OH Anne S. Allen, Walnut Creek Geraldine Soderlund, Graeagle Michael and Waltrud Buckland, Berkeley Beulah and Ezra Amsterdam, Davis Edith Tannenbaum, El Cerrito Mr. David A. Burkhart, San Bruno Donna M. Boothe, Merced Virginia Thompson, Stockton California Assessors Association, Russell Briggs, Campbell Elizabeth Weston, Guerneville Sacramento Mr. Donald W. Brown, Sacramento In Memory of Ruth Champagne California Judicial Center Library, Mona Cain, Berkeley Ms. Bonnie Gratch-Lindauer San Francisco Clifton and Nola Clouse, Oakland In Memory of Daniel Corchero William J. Coffill, Sonora Peter Corchero, Paradise Gilbert Cobb, Santa Rosa Ms. Anne Curran, Oakland In Memory of Louis Folberg Leonore Dei Rossi, Redwood City Mr. Don De Nevi, Pebble Beach Ms. Barbara Robinson Norene Faidley, Anderson L.J. and Dan Dillon, Fair Oaks In Memory of Noreen Hook Mr. Thomas Farley, Las Vegas, NV Rita Feist, San Jose William and Sharon Gissler, Santa Clara Mr. Glenn J. Farris, Davis Radell Fraser, Carmichael In Memory of Jene Pankow Helen A. Green, Berkeley Ms. Evelyn Pankow, Atlantic Mr. Jim W. Faulkinbury, Sacramento Highlands, NJ Mr. Carson B. Haines, Oakland Jerrold & Wendy Franklin, Sacramento In Memory of Hillie Thurn Mr. Thomas H. Hudson, San Leandro Mr. and Mrs. Neal D. Gordon, Folsom Jacqueline Taber, Carmichael Mrs. Mary A. Helmich, Sacramento Dorothy A. Hurkett, Lakeport Hildegard M. and J.C. Thurn Trust Dorothy L. Loweecey, San Jose John Hogan / Society of California In Honor of Ruby Burchfield Pioneers, San Francisco May Mayeda, Sacramento Deborah Ornellis, Walnut Creek Mr. & Mrs. Terry Kastanis, Sacramento Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Muñoz, Richmond In Honor of Alice Kelsey John Keibel / Wells Fargo Historical Sam Sato, Hayward Judy C. Kelsey, Redding Services, Concord Ms. Marilyn Sherrard, Clio continued on next page

bulletin 117 31 Recent Contributors

CALIFORNIA HISTORY JOE NARDONE MEMORIAL PONY Mr. Mead B. Kibbey, Sacramento Shannon Vittoria, Seattle, WA EXPRESS RESEARCH Richard Lippoth, Reno, NV Brian Witherwell, Sacramento LIBRARY Ms. Clio McConnell / Yale University In Memory of Michael D. Feil Cox Black and White Lab, Press, New Haven, CT Mrs. Janet E. Feil, Sacramento Rancho Cordova Janice K. Milliken, Denair In Memory of Vance Gerry Floyd E. Hembree Family, Dixon Robert R. Bothamley, Gary Noy, Loomis Calvin and Staci Jones, Fairfield Rancho Palos Verdes Michael Otten, Auburn Joseph R. Nardone, Laguna Hills In Memory of Malcolm Lucas Bill Oudegeest / Donner Summit Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Vinson, Maral Kuchler, Sacramento Historical Society, Norden Piedmont Steve Ramirez and Family, Suisun City Pearson Education, Livonia, MI In Memory of Arthur McLaughlin Brezzy Schallheim, Grants Pass, OR E.R. & Joyce Penrose, Sacramento Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Vinson, Joseph L. Schroeder Roseville Area Newcomers and Piedmont Jim Stretesky Neighbors, Roseville In Memory of Jack Slaven Stephen and Cheryl Ward, Folsom Stephanie Romeo / W.W. Norton & Suzanne Grimshaw, Woodland Company, Inc., New York, NY In Memory of Karen Smith Whitney and Clasina Shane, Prunedale Martha Whittaker, Concord SUTRO LIBRARY Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Shumaker, In Honor of Mead B. Kibbey Mr. Willett C. Deady, San Rafael Fair Oaks Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vinson, Piedmont Mr. David W. Dippel, San Francisco Mr. Gary E. Strong, Potlatch, ID In Honor of Gary F. Kurutz Moria P. Gardner, Santa Rosa Catherine and Michael Kowalewski, Robert & Mary Swisher, Sacramento Northfield, MN Dr. Stephen Harris, Berkeley Mr. Burt Lee Thompson, Granite Bay Nevah A. Locker, Indianapolis, IN Kenneth Knott and Catherine Hanson, Ms. Sheila F. Thornton, Sacramento Sacramento Ms. Priscilla Royal, Crockett Mr. Kit Tyler / The American Mercury, Val and Jan Sakovich, San Francisco Sacramento Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth W. Swenson, Newark John D. Warren, Fremont MICHAEL BERNICK OREGON-CALIFORNIA Mr. Robert K. White, San Rafael ARCHIVE TRAILS ASSOCATION In Memory of Richard Dillon Martha Whittaker, Concord Michael and Donna Bernick, Mr. Donald E. Buck, Sunnyvale San Francisco Larry Schmidt, Minden, NV Mr. John A. Winner, Placerville 2016 CSL/CA Joan & Dick Young, South Lake Tahoe STATE ARCHIVES Mr. Herman Zittel, Susanville Best Practices Exchange Conference Sponsorships Mr. David Portman / Preservica, Abingdon, UK Mr. Brian Peterson / Ancestry.com, Lehi, UT

32 California State Library Foundation

Bulletin Is 30 ��������Recent Contributors Published When We Are Able

Bulletin Is 30 ��Recent Contributors Published When We Are Able