San Francisco Historical Information

Photo of the Great Fire following the Great Earthquake, April 18, 1906
Photo taken from Market and Laguna looking toward downtown and South of Market.

San Francisco Government History

On April 15th, 1850, San Francisco was incorporated as a City, by act of the Legislature. By that act it became the legal successor of the Pueblo of San Francisco, vested with all its property, and that same statute took away all the power of the Prefect. The title to the Pueblo Lands was therefore vested in the City of San Francisco. This charter was subsequently repealed by the Charter of 1851, which, in its turn was repealed by that of 1854; but the charter of 1850 authorized the city to 'hold, lease, sell, and dispose of property for the benefit of the city.' The charter of 1851 empowered the city to purchase, receive, and hold property, real and personal, and sell or otherwise dispose of the same for their common benefit; the charter of 1855 continued the power in the city to 'purchase, receive, hold and enjoy real and personal property, and sell, convey, mortgage and dispose of the same for the common benefit.' "
John W. Dwinelle

The Colonial History of the City of San Francisco, 1866

The 1856 Charter was not efficient; it was said that nobody knew what it meant except the city clerk and one or two lawyers. The California Constitution of 1879 provided for the city to pass a freeholder's charter, but attempts to do so were defeated four times until, finally in 1900, a strong-mayor-council type was adopted. However, under the 1900 Charter, the Mayor was not so strong as was expected and his executive powers were weakened by boards and commissions which choose their own executives."
Martin W. Judnich
San Francisco Government , 1967

The city's present Charter was ratified by vote of the people on March 26, 1931; ratified by the Legislature of the State April 13, 1931; in effect January 8, 1932. It has been amended nearly 400 times since its adoption in 1931.

The San Francisco Citizens Charter Revision Committee was appointed by the Mayor in February 1968 pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted in October 1967. The Committee consisted of 21 members selected to be broadly representative of the citizenry of San Francisco.

In the November 4, 1969 election, the voters were asked to revise their Charter for the first time since 1931. Sixty-three percent of the voters rejected Proposition E.

Later the Committee decided to restructure, but not change, the present Charter and Received voter approval of Proposition R on November 2, 1971.

On November 7, 1978, the voters approved Proposition X which authorized a complete rewriting of the Charter to bring it up to date. The proposition won by a vote of 99,076 to 77,381. The 15 members of the new Charter Commission were inducted January 15, 1979, in ceremonies in the Board of Supervisors Chambers. The commissioners had two years to rewrite the document.

In the election of Tuesday, November 4, 1980, the proposal for a new city Charter was defeated by the voters with a vote of "Yes," 91,961, and "No," 106,541.

City Hall Grounds, 01/01/1896
from the SF Library Historical Photograph Collection

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the Story of San Francisco: A Lecture Series at City Hall
January 30, March 27, April 24

The Museum of the City of San Francisco and San Francisco City Hall will present a special Lecture Series in the year 2001 entitled "The Story of San Francisco." The series is designed to honor the communities of our great City and their contributions to the unique history of San Francisco.

The Lecture Series will be presented in the South Light Court on the last Tuesday of each month, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The program includes a 45 to 65 minute lecture. This will be followed by 15 to 20 minutes of questions and anwers. A reception with the presenter will follow.

This Lecture Series will benefit The Museum of the City of San Francisco by providing funds for the production costs of the Lecture Series, and the installation costs for the historical exhibits being presented in the South Light Court of City Hall. In this regard, there will be a $6 donation requested for admission to the Lecture Series.

The Lecture Series will be launched during the Birthday Celebration honoring the 154th Anniversary of the Naming of the City of San Francisco. This special event will take place on Tuesday, January 30th, in the South Light Court, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The celebration will officially open the new historical exhibit in the South Light Court concerning the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906.

Gladys Hansen , the Founder and Curator of The Museum of the City of San Francisco, will initiate the Lecture Series. She will speak about the courage and will of the citizens of San Francisco, who rebuilt our City into the great multicultural center of today.

The Birthday Celebration will include musical performances and a wine and cheese reception with the Board of Directors of the Museum of the City of San Francisco and City officials.

The Birthday Celebration honoring the 154th Anniversary of the Naming of the City of San Francisco is a free event, and all citizens of our City are invited to attend.

Several of the Lecturers for "The Story of San Francisco" Series have been confirmed, including Eva Royale, Public Action Manager of the United Farm Workers of America, speaker on the history of this important movement for workers' rights. The event will honor the union's founders, Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta, on the occasion of the first annual celebration of the Cesar Chavez statewide holiday. This Lecture will take place on Tuesday, March 27. The focus of following month's lecture will be on Architect and Preservationist David Robinson. This event will take place on Tuesday, April 24.

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Links: General History of San Francisco

The history of San Francisco is a colorful, rich, interesting, and diverse as the City itself. It is populated with characters such as Emperor Norton (the self-declared Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico) and Mayor "Sunny" Jim Rolph, heroes such as Dennis T. Sullivan, sports giants like Joe Di Maggio, and literary greats such as Jack London. It is also an extraordinary story of survival. The City has endured the largest earthquake in the continental United States, as well as 7 major fires.

For more information about the history of San Francisco, we invite you to use the on-line resources listed below.

State Historical Landmarks
San Francisco has over 40 state-designated historical landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Telegraph Hill.

The Great Earthquake
The Great Earthquake of April 18, 1906.