Can you find historic photos of the old Glen Park voluteer fire house located at
2440 Diamond Street in San Francisco?  

The firehouse was mentioned in the following recent article:

http://www.sfaa.org/magazine/archives/2001/1201/features/1201.verplanck.html

"Local residents J. O’Donnell, W. Scott, H. Shattuck, F. Moran and J. McLaughlin
formed a volunteer fire department in 1908 and built a firehouse at 2440 Diamond
Street."

Hi Scott,

Your request to find the Glen Park volunteer firehouse photo couldn't be 
tracked down solely from the web.  I can, however, suggest websites and 
resources that will help you with your search.

First, I would get in touch with the reporter of the San Francisco Apartment 
Association (SFAA) article that was sent, "Glen Park—The Architecture and 
Social History."  The author of the article is Christopher P. VerPlanck.   You 
might ask the SFAA for his contact information.

San Francisco Apartment Association
Staff Contact Information Page
http://www.sfaa.org/constant/staff.html

Secondly, try a number of public libraries.  You might start off by calling or 
emailing the Library of Congress.

Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov

The Library of Congress has an extensive historical photography collection that 
is searchable online.

Library of Congress
Prints and Photographs Online Catalog
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html

Next, I would narrow your public library scope by visiting the San Francisco 
Public Library or the Glen Park Public Library.   San Francisco Public 
Libraries' site has a helpful "Ask a Question" section on their website that 
could assist your research needs.  

San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco History Center
http://sfpl4.sfpl.org/

San Francisco Public Library
Ask a Question Page
http://sfpl4.sfpl.org/infdir/qanda/qanda2.html

Glen Park Branch Library
Address: 653 Chenery Street   
San Francisco, CA 94131
Phone: (415) 337-4740
http://sfpl4.sfpl.org/branches/glenpark.html

Suitts' comment (See below) points out San Francisco's Historical Photograph 
Collection that could provide some research tips.  Call or write their 
curator.  They even have a searchable database online:

San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection Search Page
http://libweb.sfpl.org/cgibin/tramp2.exe/log_in/?
guest&SETTING_KEY=English&servers=photos&screen=photos.html

Lastly, if the aforementioned suggestions come up dry inquire at some of San 
Francisco's Museums.  The museum archivists and curators could be a valuable 
resource.   Here are two that you might want to explore:

San Francisco Fire Department Museum
655 Presidio Avenue, San Francisco 
(415) 563-4630
http://www.sffiremuseum.org/index.html

Museum of San Francisco
http://www.sfmuseum.org/

Additional Websites that may interest you:

Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov

Library of Congress
Prints and Photographs Online Catalog
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html

San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco History Center
http://sfpl4.sfpl.org/sfhistory/

San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection Search Page
http://libweb.sfpl.org/cgibin/tramp2.exe/log_in/?
guest&SETTING_KEY=English&servers=photos&screen=photos.html

Glen Park Branch Library
Address: 653 Chenery Street   
San Francisco, CA 94131
Phone: (415) 337-4740
http://sfpl4.sfpl.org/branches/glenpark.html

San Francisco Fire Department Museum
655 Presidio Avenue, San Francisco 
(415) 563-4630
http://www.sffiremuseum.org/index.html

Museum of the City of San Francisco
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/index0.1.html

Search Terms Used:

San Francisco firehouse
San Francisco firehouse photo
San Francisco history photo

Regards,
Trailhead

---

Request for Answer Clarification by scott42-ga on 21 Apr 2002 22:11 PDT

thanks for the time to write, however, we have already tried the libraries, fire
museums and all the links you have suggested prior to posting the question. In
addition, I have already contacted the author of the article and he has not seen
a picture of the firehouse in his research.

The question still stands, can you find a historical picture of the old
firehouse at 2440 Diamond St., San Francisco?

We believe this is not an impossible photo to find since San Francisco is often
photographed and the subject has historical importance in a city that has been
almost destroyed by 2 major fires.

---

Clarification of Answer by trailhead-ga on 23 Apr 2002 13:34 PDT

Hi Scott,

I called the San Francisco Historical Photograph Library and talked to 
librarian Pat Akre (possibly you talked to her too?).  She searched for your 
requested photo and couldn't find it in her collection.  

She did, however, suggest asking the California Historical Society.
http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/
Address: 678 Mission Street, San Francisco CA 94105 
Phone: 415.357.1848

Also, out of curiosity, what did the San Francisco Fire Museum recommend?  I 
was hoping they would have some information for you.

Let me know how your search goes.  Good luck.

Trailhead

The answer didn't contain the photo requested.

Hi Scott,

Didn't find your photos, but here's a lecture series you might be interested in 
as a resource.  I located it at the California Historical Society website.
 
http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/programs.html



May 7
Tuesday, 6:00 – 7:00 PM (reception begins 5:30)
First Tuesday Lecture

Rancho San Miguel: A San Francisco Neighborhood History

Most San Franciscans are unaware that at one time ranchos existed within their 
city’s boundaries. Rancho San Miguel, owned by Jose de Jesus Noe from 1846-
1852, was one of many in San Francisco. The Rancho comprised one-sixth of San 
Francisco, including neighborhoods known today as Noe Valley, Eureka Valley 
(the Castro), Twin Peaks, Glen Park, West Portal, Ingleside Terraces, Diamond 
Heights and Forest Hill.

History writer and founding director of the San Francisco Historical Society 
Mae Silver presents a slide-illustrated lecture based on her book, Rancho San 
Miguel, the only written history of a San Francisco rancho. 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


good luck in finding your photos.

The public library has an archive of historical photos some of which have been
digitized for the web.  I didn't find the fire house you were looking for.

http://sfpl4.sfpl.org/sfhistory/Photograph2.htm

~ J