Ghirardelli Square architectural records, 1911-1979

Summary

Creators:

Roth, William M.

Abstract:

Includes architectural drawings, clippings, photographs, proposals, and other materials documenting the history and the development of the Ghirardelli Square commercial area in San Francisco. Volume 4 includes five photographs of the Ghirardelli pavilion at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and one photograph of the Ghirardelli pavilion at the Golden Gate International Exposition. Also in Volume 4 are Ghirardelli advertising materials and photographs of Ghirardelli billboards. Volume 8 contains photographs of the reconstruction of the Ghirardelli buildings in the 1960s.

Extent:

Number of containers: 1 carton, 8 volumes, 38 oversize folders, 16 rolls Linear feet: 16.25

Language:

Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

Includes architectural drawings, clippings, photographs, proposals, and other materials documenting the history and the redevelopment of the Ghirardelli Square commercial area in San Francisco. Volume 4 includes five photographs of the Ghirardelli pavilion at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and one photograph of the Ghirardelli pavilion at the Golden Gate International Exposition. Also in Volume 4 are Ghirardelli advertising materials and photographs of Ghirardelli billboards. Volume 8 contains photographs of the reconstruction of the Ghirardelli buildings in the 1960s.

Biographical / historical:

Date	Event
1817	Domingo Ghirardelli born in Rapallo, Italy
1849	Ghirardelli immigrates to California, following his former neighbor, James Lick. Ghirardelli successfully opens stores in San Francisco and Stockton.
Circa 1856	Ghirardelli opens a store on Jackson street. This store thrives for over 40 years.
1889	Ghirardelli signs the business over to his sons.
1899	Ghirardelli's sons build the "Chocolate Building" on property they purchased overlooking the San Francisco Bay.
1900	Construction of the "Cocoa Building."
1901	Construction of the "clock Tower."
1915	Construction of the "Power House."
1960s	Golden Grain Macaroni Company purchases Ghirardelli Chocolate and relocates operations. William Matson Roth and his mother, Mrs. William P. Roth, purchase the entire Ghirardelli block. Ghirardelli Square opens and is considered the first successful adaptive reuse project in the country.

Acquisition information:

The Ghirardelli Square Architectural Records were given to The Bancroft Library by William M. Roth on January 25,1982.

Physical location:

Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

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