Meet Alfred Henry Jacobs, Architect Turned Photographer

Two lovely albums of photographs of the San Francisco Zoo taken by Alfred Henry Jacobs in 1941 and 1942  have been recently cataloged. The photographs were shot shortly after the Herbert Fleishhaker Zoo was renamed the San Francisco Zoological Gardens in February 1941. Jacobs is most famous for his architecture, which includes the Curran Theatre at 445 Geary Street. Come see these examples of his amateur photography and view a different aspect of his artistic eye.
 

A lion keeps a watchful eye on Jacobs, San Francisco Zoo, 1941

Jacobs loved dogs and had bull terriers of his own, but these photographs prove he also loved the big cats. There are plenty of gorgeous shots of lions, tigers, and even an ocelot! 

Leopard cubs Mac and Arthur with one of the zookeepers, San Francisco Zoo, 1941

Jacobs captioned many of his photos, and in some cases he even wrote the animal’s name or other interesting facts about the photo subject. Jacobs tells us the names of the baby leopards, Mac and Arthur, and a beautiful tiger called Pasha.

Pasha the tiger poses for the camera, San Francisco Zoo, 1941

Other zoo animals posed for Jacobs’ camera too, but it wasn’t always easy. His photo captions tell us he made several trips to the zoo in an effort to see the baby kangaroo poke its head out of its mama’s pouch. Look closely…can you spot the tiny baby kangaroo peeking out of his mother’s pouch?

Mama & baby kangaroo, San Francisco Zoo, 1942

Leafing through these albums you’ll also find

Zookeeper with cubs, San Francisco Zoo, 1941

pictures of elephants, bears, and giraffes, including a baby giraffe. Some photos show zookeepers handling the animals. These cubs look cute and cuddly, but their paws are all tiger—look at them leaving their mark on this handler’s sweater!



Alfred Henry Jacobs was a lifelong San Franciscan, except for his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. He enjoyed a successful architectural career in which he designed commercial, residential, religious, and theater buildings from 1908-1929. He designed his own family’s residence at 80 21st Avenue and Ansel Adams’ first home, at 129 24th Avenue, both in San Francisco’s Richmond District.




Images are courtesy of the Alfred Henry Jacobs San Francisco Zoo Photograph Albums, 1941-1942 (SFP 70), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library. You may request and view the photograph albums during the open hours of the Photo Desk.

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With the season of school semesters, the San Francisco History Center continuously has interns in the department working on special projects. What's on the 6th Floor? asked Jennifer Greenwood, San Francisco History Center summer intern and San Jose State University's School of Library and Information Science graduate student, to be a guest blogger. This is second of two blog entries in which Jennifer highlights recently processed collections in the Center. Also read: San Francisco's Cable Car Lady.