San Francisco Birthday Celebration Records
Finding aid created by San Francisco History Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
2022
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
http://sfpl.org/sfhistory
Title: San Francisco Birthday Celebration Records
Dates: 1940-2000
Collection Number: SFH 612
Creator/Collector:
San Francisco Birthday Committee (San Francisco, Calif.)
Extent: 4.5 cubic feet
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: The annual San Francisco Birthday commemoration (1939-2016) celebrated the arrival of San Francisco’s first Spanish colonists
in 1776, establishing the city of San Francisco. The festivities included a mass given at the Mission Dolores, and a luncheon
that took place later that day at the Presidio Officer’s club. The celebration was presided over by the La Favorita (a young
woman selected for her colonial heritage), as well as Presidio leadership. The event was organized by the San Francisco Birthday
Committee.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
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.
[Identification of item]. San Francisco Birthday Celebration Records. Collection Number: SFH 612. San Francisco Public Library.
San Francisco History Center
Donated in two parts by Katherine Applegarth in 2019. Accession number 2019-79, and 2019-83.
Biography/Administrative History
The San Francisco Birthday celebration observed the arrival of the city’s first permanent colonists. Led by Jose Joaquin
Moraga, Spanish soldiers and settlers arrived in present day San Francisco, June 1776. They established a military post for
Spain which later became the Presidio, and a Franciscan Mission which would grow into the Mision San Francisco de Asis, or
the Mission Dolores.
The annual San Francisco Birthday celebrations (1939-2016), began with an anniversary mass at the Mission Dolores, followed
by a luncheon at the Presidio Officers Club. Festivities were presided over by that year’s La Favorita, a young woman selected
for her heritage from the original Spanish colonists. Presented by the California Historical Society and Citizens Committee,
the event was attended by mayors, Presidio leadership, and members of San Francisco’s history enthusiast community.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection contains materials created by the San Francisco Birthday Committee in preparation for the annual San Francisco
Birthday commemoration. Materials include brochures and pamphlets, correspondence, financial records, news clippings, photographs,
and negatives. The collection is strong in its photographic record.
San Francisco de Asis Mission (San Francisco, Calif.) -- Anniversaries, etc.
Presidio of San Francisco (Calif.) -- Anniversaries, etc.