How Old Is It? Who Built It?
- Junior League of San Francisco Here
Today files. Junior
League Index (PDF). In the 1960s, The Junior League surveyed and
researched thousands of historic buildings in San Francisco, many of
them featured in the book, Here Today; San Francisco Architectural
Heritage. If a building was surveyed, the research file notes
when it was built, and perhaps the original owner and architect. Files
are arranged alphabetically by street address. Please note that not all
addresses have been surveyed.
- Spring Valley Water Company records. San
Francisco Water Department. (1861-1930s) (Guide
to microfilm). Water connections recorded alphabetically by street
name. Find the date a water connection was first made for a structure
and the name of the applicant or property owner. Dates may reflect the
beginning of construction, the date water was provided to an existing
structure, or the beginning of occupancy.
- San Francisco Real Estate
Circular. (1868-1942, incomplete set) (microfilm). Using the
date from the Water Department, look for property sales, transfers of
ownership, and the cost of the building or land.
- Edward's Abstract from Records.
(1906-1977, incomplete set). Issued daily, this is a listing of
documents recorded. Under "Miscellaneous Papers" are Building Contracts,
which list the owner, contractor, architect and cost of construction for
individual building.
- Sanborn Map Company fire insurance maps
(1886-1991) (Guide
to microfilm). Published to help assess fire risk for buildings, Sanborn
Fire Insurance Maps show the footprint for every building in the
city. These maps also indicate type of construction, use of structures,
addresses, and, sometimes, the names of businesses. Ask for the index at
the information desk. The San Francisco History Center has one set of
Sanborn Maps in the room. All other volumes are available in microfilm
only.
Who Lived In It?
- City Directories. (1850-1982) (microfilm). With
the name of the possible owner or occupant of your property, you can
check the city directories backward and forward from the water
connection date to determine whether that person lived at that address,
the length of occupancy of that person, as well as his or her
occupation.
Microfiche, microfilm, and print editions are also
available at the Herb
Caen Magazines and Newspapers Center, located on floor 5.
"Reverse directories," which list the owner or occupant by street
address, appear in the directories beginning with the 1953 edition.
- San Francisco Blue Book. (1890 -
1931). Published annually, some editions list socialites by street
address.
- San Francisco Block Book. (1868,
1890, 1894, 1901, 1906, 1907, 1909, 1910) (microfilm/print). Indicates
lot sizes and the names of property owners.
- Index to the Great Register of
Voters. (1866-1944, incomplete set) (Guide
to microfilm/print). After verifying the Assembly District in which
the house was sited, you may find the address, name, age, and,
sometimes, the occupation and political affiliation of the building
occupants.
- Real Property. Index to Deeds. (Grantee and
Grantor Index) (Guide
to microfilm).
- Real Property. Deeds. 48-hour notice required
for access. Ask at information desk for holdings.
Are There Any Photographs Of It?
- Search for a building by going to the San
Francisco Historical Photograph Collection home page. Please
note that viewing and ordering images is limited to Tuesday and Thursday
from 1-5pm; and Saturday from 10-Noon and 1-5pm.
- Assessor's Office Negative Collection: Residences
and Businesses. This collection was given to the San Francisco
History Center by the Assessor's Office. It includes properties
photographed by the Assessor's Office from the 1940s through the 1960s.
The finding aid is divided into three sections: alphabetically by street
name (PDF), numerically by
block number (PDF), and alphabetically by
business name (PDF). Please note that viewing and ordering images is
limited to Tuesday and Thursday from 1-5pm; and Saturday from 10-Noon
and 1-5pm.
Are There Any Articles Written About My Building?
- Architect and Engineer. February 1906 (Volume
4, no. 1) – December 1923 (Volume 75, no. 3)(microfilm); November 1909 -
June 1959 (print). Index available for 1905-1928, compiled by Gary Goss,
1982.
- California Architect and Building News. 1879 -
1899 (microfilm).
- Department Vertical Files. Check with the
librarian to retrieve these files from closed stacks.
Other House History Guides
Other City Departments
- Assessor's Office. Go to the Office of the Assessor-Recorder, City Hall, Room 190 to
find maps, ownership records and transfers of property from 1914 to the
present. Use the Realty Index to locate block and lot numbers used by
the Assessor-Recorder.
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