Early Motion Pictures

Item 4 of 5

TR in San Francisco, 1903

View this film.
(AVI Format....27,824,310 bytes)...To download the film for future viewing, be sure to set your browser to the "load to disk" or "retrieve to disk" option.

[United States : s.n., 1903]

NOTES

Duration: 2:26 at 15 fps.

Photographed: May 13, 1903. Location: Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, California.

President Roosevelt reviewed the school children of San Francisco at 10:00am to 10:30am on Wednesday, May 13, 1903. An estimated 40,000 school children gathered along both sides of Van Ness Avenue, west of the downtown area, for the parade. The wide north-south boulevard, partially lined with the mansions of the wealthy, was the approximate boundary between the old gold rush era city (to the east) and the newer westerm addition to the west. To better organize the students, each school was assigned a specific block and each student given a flag to wave. Many adults were also on hand to watch the parade, which entered Van Ness at Pacific Avenue, proceeded south to Market Street, then doubled back up Van Ness to Pacific. The presidential carriage kept to the right so that all the children could get a good view of the President.

The following is a scene-by-scene description of the film: The camera was positioned on the southeast corner of O'Farrell Street and Van Ness Avenue, and pans from north to west to south, and then back to west. [24355] The view is north on Van Ness Avenue toward the approaching band and cavalry. Students of Whittier School are in the foreground. [24600] The band passing at left is led by conductor Paul Steindorff. [24750] Following the band are the Cleveland Grays, a noted black cavalry troop, led by Captain Young, the first black graduate of West Point. [25003] After a cut in the continuity of the film, the President's carriage approaches along the west side of the avenue. [25188] Behind cheering crowds rises the Baltimore Family Hotel at Geary Street and Van Ness Avenue. [25365] Students of the Moulder, Laguna Honda and Oceanside Schools wave from the steps of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral (1891) as the President passes. The cathedral burned in 1962, and the new cathedral (1971) stands two blocks to the west. [25625] The view is west up O'Farrell Street as the President passes, waving his top hat. [25750] Students of Hearst School wave from the steps of Victorian homes. An officer of the 9th US Cavalry follows the presidential carriage. [25859] The narrow, wooden tower may be a converted windmill. [25958] Following another cut in the film, the return sequence begins. The camera looks south to see students of Rincon and Jefferson schools welcoming the returning presidential carriage. In the background are the towers of St. Ignatius Church on Hayes Street. In the middle at right are some of the mansions along Van Ness Avenue. [26421] The President passes, looking rather tired. Secret Service agents walk with the carriage.

Received: 1967 from National Park Service; NPS acq. from Roosevelt Memorial Association; RMA pur. from Lyman Howe; original nitrate; transfer; Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection.

Received: 5/68 from USDA film lab; safety; preservation; Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection.

Received: 1/77 from LC film lab; ref print, dupe neg and arch pos; preservation; Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection.

SUBJECTS
Roosevelt, Theodore,--1858-1919.
Presidents--Journeys--California--San Francisco.
Parades--California--San Francisco.
United States--Army--Cavalry.
United States--Army--Afro-American troops.
Horse-drawn vehicles--California--San Francisco.
Streets--California--San Francisco.
Commercial buildings--California--San Francisco.
San Francisco (Calif.)
Shorts.
Actualities.

MEDIUM
1 reel (54 ft) : si., b&w ; 16 mm. ref print.

CALL NUMBER
FAB 1454 (print)