Recently in Perspective Category

Megan

Send a comment to Megan

Thanksgiving is almost here, and I've finally finished readying my yard for winter : I raked leaves, put away the grill, and pulled out the remnants of my garden – like my tomato plants. 

I had been feasting off homegrown tomatoes all summer, making salsas and salads and eating them straight from the plant. And while some folks can tomatoes  come fall, that's something I've never done. My husband is decidedly anti-canned produce. I tell him he never would have survived 100 years ago.

But it turns out that is not entirely true.

Wells Fargo was shipping fresh produce around the country more than 100 years ago. As the first express company to begin using refrigerated railroad cars, Wells Fargo was soon shipping crops like tomatoes, peaches, and oranges across the country. In 1901, one grower from Hayward, California, was shipping asparagus, cherries, currants, gooseberries, and strawberry rhubarb to many locations including Salt Lake City, Utah, Boston, Massachusetts, and St. Paul, Minnesota.

By 1913, 150 Wells Fargo refrigerator cars were speeding delicate western fruits and vegetables to eastern consuming cities. Most of the produce originated in California but later, Wells Fargo shipped fruits and vegetables (like tomatoes!) from Mexico across the United States.

So, while I am enjoying my homemade tabouli  and margarita pizza this winter, I will remember Wells Fargo's refrigerated rail cars and be thankful I am not limited to eating canned green beans.

Charles

Sala Faruq works as a museum assistant at the Wells Fargo History Museum in Old Town San Diego. We are thrilled to present her first post at GBH! (CR)

When traveling by stagecoach, passengers were only allowed 40 pounds of luggage. Travelers packed clothing and blankets, and firearms were common, as well as some type of water container.

In the 1800s, there were several options available for canteens — metal and wood were popular. Perhaps the most versatile material for a canteen, though, was the gourd.

A gourd is  "any of several trailing or climbing plants related to the pumpkin, squash, and cucumber and bearing fruits with a hard rind." This titan of the plant world is durable, lightweight and watertight. It grows in a variety of shapes and sizes. And in addition to tropical and semi-tropical zones throughout the world, the gourd can be found in the temperate climates of California and the Southern United States — the route of the Overland stagecoaches!

In San Diego County, the Kumeyaay  (pronounced: KOOM-eh-YI) have used the gourd for a variety of purposes for hundreds years. Jamacha means "wild gourd" in the Kumeyaay language. The city of Jamacha represents the area in the Kumeyaay territory where the wild gourd grows.

You can make your own gourd canteen just as the Kumeyaay did, and passengers on the Overland coaches may have done. Why not experience an eco-friendly alternative to the plastic bottle?

The materials to make a gourd canteen are simple and easy to obtain. If you want to create your own canteen, check-out my "How To" (PDF)....

Ryan

When I was a kid, I viewed Veterans Day  as another holiday to commemorate distant events, and one of two times a year my Cub Scout  troop would place flags on graves at a local Veterans Cemetery.  In hindsight, I didn't even converse or thank my closest Veterans, my grandfather and father.

Following the attacks of 9/11, my subsequent joining the Navy Reserve , and a deployment to the Middle East, I have a different perspective.

This Veterans Day I would like to express appreciation to all Veterans and their spouses. To Wells Fargo, I add my appreciation — the Company is an outstanding employer of Veterans, and an outstanding banker to men and women in uniform.

Veterans Day  was originally founded as Armistice Day, a day to commemorate the cessation of fighting on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Unfortunately the "War to End all Wars" was not — and the world and United States have been party to another World War, and countless conflicts since then. In 1954, President Eisenhower converted the holiday to Veterans Day, to honor all American Veterans.

Wells Fargo's service to the military and its members goes back a century and a half. Wells Fargo transported coin and currency for military payroll to remote army posts in California and Arizona. During World War I and World War II, large percentages of its employees were activated for military service

Talk about customer service! At the outbreak of World War I when Americans fleeing Europe abandoned luggage in their haste, Wells Fargo's Vice President of Traffic, F. S. Holbrook, took it upon himself to gather 400 abandoned trunks and ship them to Wells Fargo warehouses in America where they were matched with their owners — free of charge. Wells Fargo continued to operate through London and Paris correspondent offices during the entire war, and assisted countless American doughboys in transferring letters and remittances stateside.

Several of the members of Wells Fargo's family tree were founded specifically to serve men and women in the military. One example is the Army National Bank of Fort Lewis, Washington.

Another bank, through the Norwest lineage, has continued to this day as Wells Fargo Worldwide Military Banking, a bank within a bank that focuses on serving our men and women in uniform.

During World War II, one-quarter of Wells Fargo's employees served in the military — including Isaias Hellman III, who was elected President of the bank while still serving in the Army Air Corps. That war also saw women join the workforce in higher numbers. By the end of World War II, women comprised 60% of Wells Fargo employees.

Wells Fargo continues to go above and beyond in supporting team members who are in the Guard and Reserve.  In addition to providing benefits for mobilized employees that are in excess of mandated USERRA  minimums, Wells Fargo sponsors an internal employee organization, the Wells Fargo Military Veterans Resource Group, which provides a network of support for employees and family members. The organization is open to all employees regardless of past or present military affiliation.

So this Veterans Day I would like to thank all remaining Veterans from World War II, "the Greatest Generation." I would like to thank all Veterans of the "Forgotten War," the Korean War. I would like to thank all Veterans of the Vietnam War. I would like to thank all Veterans of the Gulf War. I would like to thank all Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

I would also like to thank all military spouses, including my own, Alice, who take care of the broken air-conditioners, flat-tires, and bills while the service member is deployed. I would like to thank all children who miss their nightly bedtime story or Saturday game with their deployed parent.

I would also like to thank all employers, especially Wells Fargo, of members of the Guard and Reserve who go above and beyond in their flexibility and support for their employees who are called away at a moment's notice for an unknown time period.

All of these parties named are part of the support network that assists the service member during deployment, and enable him or her to stay focused on the mission over there so we can sleep soundly over here.

Thank you for your service at all levels! Happy Veterans Day!

Ileana

When was the last time you lost $2,150? And because of a hole—not in your pocket, but in your stocking!

The Wells Fargo History Museum in San Francisco recently opened a new exhibit, "Women Making Financial History." It interprets the many different roles women have played and are playing in the financial world: as bankers, as customers, as pioneers; even as images on currency. If you’re in town, I’d definitely recommend you check it out.

(But until then, take a look at the mini-site about the exhibit, sort of a "sneak preview.")

One of the interesting stories on the site is one about how banks in the early 20th century accommodated the needs of their female customers. For hundreds of years women had typically been financially dependent on their husbands or family. It was in the late 19th century that a large number of women began to join the workforce, and therefore, gain economic power. Banks took notice, and they realized that women were a different type of customer. They needed and wanted to be treated differently.

Maybe even have a separate room to do their banking. I know, it sounds bad, right? But the reason is that many women didn’t trust banks. They had for years carried their valuables and money in their stockings or underneath their blouses. Imagine just how uncomfortable it would be, going to make a deposit and having to dig for your money in front of all the male bankers and the other customers! And, at a time when female propriety was often scrutinized, this wouldn’t be very ladylike.

But as Mrs. Shore found out when she lost $2,150 worth of jewels, through a hole in her stocking, it wasn’t the safest place for keeping valuables. Maybe a bank, with a little privacy, was less inconvenient than risky hosiery. Banks "got it" — the "stocking room" was created. Here was a special room, just for the ladies, where they could do their banking. And of course, ready their deposits in private.

Creation of the stocking room shows an interesting paradox: banks treated women differently on account of their sex, as society has for thousands of years. BUT, it also shows that society was beginning to value and better understand women’s economic importance. Banks were doing what they had to to gain women’s trust, and women's business.

To me, the stocking room shows an interesting shift. Though it physically separated the sexes, its intention, strangely enough, was a step towards gender equality: women were being recognized for their financial power, and were being encouraged to join the banking world.

As a modern woman, I’m not sure how I feel about the need for a separate room to do my banking just because I’m female. But then, I don’t wear stockings full of jewels!

Phyllis

...and they will come.... 

Minnesota may not be the center of the world in many respects, but the world certainly comes to visit us. Over a span of just two days, the Wells Fargo History Museum in Minnesota had visitors from six different countries.*

First was a group of visitors from Iceland , who were on a trip tracing the paths of emigrants  from Iceland to the United States. They were followed by a research scientist from Scotland, who came back the next day to show us photographs of the museum that he'd created in his village to document their local history. Next were families from France and Australia.

Then a couple from Wales asked me, "What does Wells Fargo do now that they're not an express company?”

And finally, a couple from Mexico visited us – they were in town for the Twin Cities Marathon. 

I love our local visitors — our team members and school children — but there's just something special about hosting international visitors. Our roots may be deep in Minnesota soil, but it's nice to know that we branch out all over the world.

*You could say seven different countries — if you count the Packers fans  visiting from Wisconsin!

Charles

Saturday, October 17, marks the anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake in the Bay Area. We've posted some stories this past week of people who remember the day.

Also this past week, millions of Californians participated in the "The Great California Shake Out,"   a series of events that became the biggest earthquake drill ever. That morning 20 years ago, just about everyone everywhere was ducking, covering, maneuvering, practicing, checking. We're ready — but you can't be too ready, of course. That's why we practice, practice, practice.

Meanwhile, the Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross  has its own "Memories of Loma Prieta"  feature on its website. Wells Fargo and its team members have long supported communities with financial and human capital, and there are so many other groups who do as well. The Red Cross is one such organization that truly helps build community.

Three and a half years ago, Guided By History was born to commemorate the centennial of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire on April 18, 1906. This year, with the 20th anniversary of Loma Prieta on October 17, we remember and continue that first mission. We want to help you prepare and stay prepared. So here's a suggestion:

On April 18, check the batteries  in your smoke detector, and double-check your gas and water main valves.  On October 17 — a near-perfect six month's time — check your disaster kit and stash , replacing any supplies that have expired or look old and worn. Use these dates as reminders to be ready for natural disasters.

Remember and Prepare!

Charles

Naomi Ishida is with Wells Fargo's Customer Connection. In October 1989, Naomi assisted then-CEO Carl Reichardt.

About October 17, Naomi remembers, "I wasn't even here at the Bank — I was at the World Series game! You can tell where my loyalty was on that day."

Naomi was at Candlestick Park  to see the San Francisco Giants host the Oakland Athletics in Game 3 of the World Series.  The Fall Classic that year was dubbed "The Bay Bridge Series," after the span that connects Oakland and San Francisco. The powerful A's had taken the first two games in Oakland over the weekend, and were flyin' high on the strength of "The Bash Brothers" and the derring-do of Rickey Henderson. The Giants had their backs to the wall as the Series moved to the 'Stick.

The game was scheduled to begin after 5 p.m. on Tuesday the 17th. Many in the Bay Area took the day off to see the game, or left early to get home and watch it on TV. At 5:00, the game aired on ABC. Four minutes later, the earthquake struck. 

"It shook pretty good at the ballpark," Naomi says. "The light standards were swaying back and forth. With the sound of the rumble, lots of fans thought folks were stomping their feet in excitement of the ballgame starting, before we all realized it was an earthquake."

"Some fans had small TVs with them," she continues, "and we quickly realized how bad this was. Surprisingly — and thankfully — once we were told to evacuate the ballpark, everyone was calm and exited as quickly but as calmly as possible...."

Charles

My friend Mike Majoulet works in Wells Fargo Brand Management. He makes sure our communication looks right — that logos are where they belong, that signs in stores say the right thing and don't get in your way, and that Historians don't tell the story wrong just to get a laugh. Yes, Michael is the Chief!

He also has a good story about his experience in 1989, the day Loma Prieta struck. (CR)

"I was managing the Baker Hamilton  building on October 17, 1989. The Baker Hamilton is a brick and timber warehouse at 7th and Townsend Streets, a part of San Francisco for over a century. The building was 290,000 square- feet and historic — which means unreinforced.

"The Baker Hamilton  is a 4-story monolith of a building, built in 1904. The company was the largest hardware distributor west of the Mississippi probably up to the 1950s. The building rests on huge redwood tree piles driven about 75 feet into the ground. It survived the 1906 quake very well. My understanding is that hardware from Baker Hamilton was key to getting the City on its feet in 1906. In fact, Baker Hamilton distributed things like shovels, axes and housewares the day of the earthquake in '06.

"At the time I managed the property, it was mixed use — storage in the basement, and furnishings retail on upper floors. I was at my desk when the quake hit. Remember, this is a brick and timber building and the timbers are 2 feet square on the top floor where I had my office. I was sitting there and I could not quite believe what I was seeing. Suddenly, those timbers were more like rubber bands, almost liquid in undulation!

"There was grinding, bumping, and thumping all around me as the quake's waves passed through. Files flung open on one side of the room, and slammed shut on the opposite wall. Wild stuff! It felt like it would never stop, but as we all know, it did. I was sitting in disbelief as 90 years of dust was unleashed from the wood-slat ceiling above me. The room was golden from the sun hitting the dust particles.

"I suddenly remembered I was the building manager and had the responsibility of making sure all my tenants were OK — who cares about the building!

"With my heart in my throat I ventured into the building to see what happened. Luckily, there were no injuries, but there was furniture everywhere, as most tenants sold home furnishings. Some were much more concerned about their stock and not the possibility of another quake, so I 'ordered' everyone out. We didn't have a major aftershock, but as we started looking around outside, we quickly saw the city was in bad shape. A block away, several people were crushed to death when that brick and timber building lost its walls. Cars on the sidewalk were now only two feet high, flattened under bricks.

"I managed to make my way home to Tiburon that night, driving under the freeway that ran along the Embarcadero — which was condemned the next day. I drove across to Van Ness Avenue , because you couldn't continue along the Marina, which was all rubble  and flames.  I ended up in Pacific Heights on Divisadero Street : When I came over the crest of 'Divis,' heading down toward the bay, I saw the Marina  on fire. Most, if not all, electricity was off, so the glow was heightened that evening.

"I was very nervous about what my home might look like, considering what I'd just experienced. But it was weird...I had 2 pendulum clocks in the house. The table clock in the living room had a pendulum that swung east/west and always ran. But it stopped that day at the exact time of earthquake. The second clock was on a small wall between bedrooms, and I never ran it because the 'tick, tick, tick' and my sleep didn't get along. Its pendulum swung north/south. When I got home, that clock was running.

"I’d still take a quake over a tornado."

Charles

Joycee Wong is Curator at Wells Fargo's San Francisco History Museum. (Her previous blog is here!) For Hispanic Heritage Month, Joycee reflects on the common sense we all have of celebrating family and life, whether we hail from Oaxaca or Hong Kong. (CR)

Recently, I went to the memorial park to pay respects to my dearest mom on the 4th anniversary of her death, lugging 2 large handle bags. In them were some flowers and vases, a thermos of tea and a freshly made scone, a camera (to capture the visit and share with out-of-town family later), a few old letters (to reminisce) and some tissues (for the inevitable tears). All this was my paraphernalia for a visitation to my mother's columbarium where her ashes are kept in a peaceful sanctuary.

I am reminded of the similarities between cultures when I saw a flyer a few days earlier about "Day of the Dead"  celebrations that will take place this month among many Hispanic families.

If you've never heard of it, "Day of the Dead" (El Día de los Muertos)  isn't some macabre Halloween game, but a time-honored tradition going back almost 3000 years. This holiday focuses on gatherings of families and friends, for prayer and to remember friends and family who have died. Traditions include building private altars, making sugar skulls, displaying marigolds and serving the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. Everyone visits graves with these gifts.

As a Chinese-American, I grew up with light touches of traditions on the multitude of Chinese holidays and celebrations, including those honoring our deceased loved ones. Growing up in Hong Kong, I remember periodic excursions to the cemetery where my parents and sisters — saddled with armloads of food, flowers, and cleaning supplies — spent a few hours with my paternal grandmother who was buried there. Honoring the dead according to Chinese customs require certain rituals, which our family followed to some degree....

Ileana

Picture this: It's 1886, you're a restaurant owner in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and you need a new refrigerator. (Yes, they had them! Not your Frigidaire  or anything, but they had them.) You would especially like one of the latest, most efficient models, but can't find one anywhere. What do you do?

Wells Fargo has you covered.

We're currently celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and I found it the perfect time to share one of my favorite artifacts at our L.A. museum. We call it the Guia. The whole name is quite a mouthful: "The "Guide for the Department of Sales and Commissions of Wells Fargo: Where and How to Buy American-Manufactured Items." This Spanish-language guide was printed in 1886, and it's basically a guide Mexican consumers and business owners could use to purchase a variety of items from the U.S. Wells Fargo had many offices in Mexico and would ship all over the country. The company had guides like this handy for customers. Agents would have samples of products and prices, and they took orders.

The introduction to the guide states that gone are the days of "taking advantage of friends and acquaintances who travel" by asking them to get you so-and-so item during their visit abroad (I think many of us are occasionally guilty of this even today, though) or entrusting such orders to strangers.

Wells Fargo's Express was easier, faster and more reliable. You just placed your order at an office, and you could get American-made items delivered to you from hundreds of miles away!

The items offered in the Guia were ones that were difficult to find or not found at all in Mexican markets. Making it convenient for people to order all sorts of items certainly helped the development of modern commerce in Mexico.

This guide is definitely a fun "read." It has any kind of item you can think of: shoes, carriages, farming equipment, dentist tools, cookies, music boxes, dried coconut...you name it!

And yes, refrigerators.