Fritz Barkan Oral History

Click here for the

California Room Digital Archive Homepage

Click here for the Frank

Lloyd Wright Exhbiit

Click here

for the 1906 Earthquake Exhibit

Fritz Barkan (1884-1984)
Interview date: April 27, 1977

Fritz was 95 when this interview was conducted in Sausalito at the home of his daughter, Louise Salomon. Fritz is the son of Dr. Adolf Barkan, and a close friend of Dr. Leo Eloesser. Fritz shares his memories of Mill Valley and San Francisco before and after the 1906 earthquake. His life as a diamond broker sent him to Amsterdam and Paris to learn about the diamond business. He was present when the 3024 carat Cullinan diamond, now part of the British Crown Jewels, was cut.

Audio Clip from the Interview (one minute)

Full Transcript of the Interview (Click here for a printable version)

Narrative Summary of the Interview