African Americans in San Francisco: 2nd in a Mini-Series

Last week, we went through a few of the gems to be found in the San Francisco History Center's San Francisco Ephemera Collection. Today, we'll look at selected books and newspapers that give a survey of Black history in this city.

Books:

Here are three books that, together, give a survey of the history of African Americans in San Francisco from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century:


Newspapers:

Since newspapers give accounts of events that are contemporary with the times in which they took place, they can serve as excellent sources for books. For African American history, here are a handful from San Francisco, listed roughly chronologically:


The Elevator. A 19th century newspaper, reaching back to 1865. "The official organ of the Afro-American League of the State of California."


San Francisco Vindicator. Another 19th century paper, of which the San Francisco History Center has only two issues from 1894; however, the paper itself was published  in San Francisco from the 1880s until probably 1906. Its masthead reads: "The Recognized Organ of the Colored Vote of California."

San Francisco Spokesman, then continued simply as The Spokesman. Published in the 1930s.

The Spokesman. Same name, but apparently, a different paper in a different decade. The San Francisco History Center has a broken run from 1965-1969. This paper was based in Bayview-Hunter's Point.

The Sun-Reporter. This paper is available in the Magazines and Newspapers department on the 5th floor, on microfilm. Paul T. Miller used it extensively in his book.

San Francisco Bay View. Published by Willie and Mary Ratcliff. A mainstay of the Bayview Hunters Point community covering local, national, and international issues. Earlier issues from 1992-1996 are under the previous title New Bayview. The paper today is also published online.

Next installment in our mini-series will be Dissertations and Theses.

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