BALEFRANCISKA

Interview with Franciska Bale, 1979

 

1979-02-27

 

Interviewer: Sheridan, Lucile

Bale came "as a bride" in 1915 and eventually built 198 homes in San Diego, starting in North Park. Her husband was in the Coast Guard. She became the first licensed woman contractor in San Diego around 1928, when state licensing was brought in. Having started building in 1921, she took the contractor's examination at the old City Hall in 1928. She called in debts and borrowed money to start her business, learning to produce renderings of her designs. Bale describes her contracting business, obstacles along the way including male resentment, and buildings she built over the years 1921-1948. She speaks about the Great Depression and its affect on building during those years. Bale branched out to selling property during the Depression; she described herself as very cautious and opportunistic. Architects threatened to "run her out of Coronado," which took too long in transportation anyway; she was busy in San Diego. While in Los Angeles she was hit by a delivery truck, which "slowed her up." She built in East San Diego, Coronado, and La Jolla. One entrepreneur wanted to invest in her business based on the opinion of his dog, but she was doing well and didn't accept the money. In the early years there was no theft or vandalism, but in 1942 when she began building again after years in the San Francisco theft and vandalism were heavy. The unions were not helpful about deliveries and notice. She was 85 years old at the time of this interview.

Franciska Bale; Lucile Sheridan; Building contractors; Great Depression; Architects; Women in construction; Licensed contractors; Allen's Pharmacy; Vandalism; Theft; Labor unions

 

California

© San Diego State University. All rights reserved.

 

 

English

 

Audiocassette

00:38:00

No

 

 

 

Audio

MP3

17.39 MB