Charles Templeton Crocker was an American philanthropist, art patron and yachtsman. He was a past president of the California Historical Society and a member of the board of directors for over twenty years. He also wrote the libretto to the first American opera that was produced in Europe; helped popularize French Art Deco in America; and funded and headed expeditions with the California Academy of Sciences and other academic institutions aboard his personal yacht Zaca. The town of Templeton is named after him.
Templeton Crocker
Uplands II, photographed by Frances Benjamin Johnston shortly after completion in 1917. The mansion is now the main building of the private Crystal Springs Uplands School.
Russian Hill from Telegraph Hill in 1955; at the time, 945 Green was the tallest and most prominent building pictured. Templeton Crocker owned the penthouse apartment.
The original south wings (L) and added double-width north wing (R) of the St. Francis Hotel, photographed in 2016 overlooking Union Square
California Historical Society
The California Historical Society (CHS) is the official historical society of California. It was founded in 1871, by a group of prominent Californian intellectuals at Santa Clara University. It was officially designated as the Californian state historical society in 1979. Its headquarters are in San Francisco, though it hosts exhibits and collections across California.
John W. Dwinelle led a group of prominent Californian intellectuals in founding the society at Santa Clara University in June 1871.
Wells Fargo Building, 1922–38
Flood Building, 1955
Whittier Mansion, 1956–95
