Eureka Valley Promotion Association Records, 1926-2008

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Summary

Creators:
Eureka Valley Promotion Association.
Abstract:
Constitution and bylaws, minutes, committee and treasurer's reports, membership records, financial records, topical files, clippings, and newsletters of the neighborhood association founded in 1881 for Eureka Valley in San Francisco, also known as the Castro district. Dates of coverage reflect two accessions, with earlier material spanning the years 1926-1957 and later material from 1978-2008.
Extent:
3 boxes (2.25 cubic ft.)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Eureka Valley Promotion Association Records (SFH 51), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Constitution and bylaws, minutes, committee and treasurer's reports, membership records, financial records, topical files, clippings, and newsletters. Dates of coverage reflect two accessions, with earlier material spanning the years 1926-1957 and later material from 1978-2008. The most thorough coverage is in the minutes from the 1930s and newsletters from 1979-2008, with additional substantial material on zoning issues from 1978-2003. Topical highlights from the earlier years include the development of a cross-town divisional highway with a Castro-Divisadero connection; street gradings; establishment and maintenance of utilities, insurance, police and fire; and social events. Later years reflect the influx of gay residents and the development of a gay community; the development of the Castro and Upper Market as commercial districts, and the various names and sub-neighborhoods by which the Eureka Valley as a geographical entity is recognized, such as the Castro, Upper Market, and Twin Peaks. Businesses, transportation lines, social issues, street parades, parks, housing and homelessness, political candidates, and other topics are well represented.

Biographical / historical:

Founded in 1881, the Eureka Valley Promotion Association (EVPA) is purportedly the oldest continuously-active neighborhood association in San Francisco. Its geographical area is defined by Dolores Street on the East, Twin Peaks to the West, 22nd Street to the South, and Duboce Street to the North. Its members, consisting of merchants, home owners, and residents, advocate for neighborhood livability and civic betterment by addressing issues such as zoning, transportation, city services, education, community development, and neighborhood beautification.

Acquisition information:
Materials from 1978-2008 are a gift of Heide Chipp, Oct. 2008.
Processing information:

During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples remain.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in three series: Series 1: Administrative Files; Series 2: Subject Files; and Series 3: Clippings and Newsletters. Subject files have been created by the archivist, as materials were received in folders whose labels only partially reflected the items inside.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Eureka Valley Promotion Association Records (SFH 51), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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