Herbert Fleishhacker
Herbert Fleishhacker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | April 2, 1957 (aged 84) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, banker, community leader, benefactor |
| Known for | Establishing the Fleishhacker Pool; president of San Francisco Park Commission; founding the Fleishhacker Zoo; contributions to Coit Tower |
Herbert Fleishhacker (November 2, 1872 – April 2, 1957) was a prominent American entrepreneur, community leader, and benefactor. In 1924, he established and financially supported the Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco, which was recognized as the largest outdoor saltwater swimming facility globally at the time and remained operational until 1971.
Biography
Herbert was born into a Jewish family in San Francisco, the son of paper industry pioneer Aaron Fleishhacker. Among eight siblings, his brother Mortimer Fleishhacker Sr. was also notable. At just 15 years old, Herbert started working as a bookkeeper for his father’s business. By the age of 20, he had launched Oregon’s inaugural paper mill near Oregon City and founded an affiliated lumber enterprise in Eugene. Subsequently, he expanded his investments into electric utilities, including the Truckee River Electric Company and Sacramento Valley Power Company.
At 34, Fleishhacker transitioned to the banking sector. He assumed the presidency of the London and Paris National Bank of San Francisco in 1908, which underwent several renamings before becoming the Anglo California National Bank of San Francisco in 1932. This institution merged with Crocker National Bank in November 1955; Crocker National Bank was eventually absorbed by Wells Fargo.
In 1918, Mayor James Rolph appointed him president of the San Francisco Park Commission. During his tenure, Fleishhacker was instrumental in founding the Fleishhacker Zoo (now known as the San Francisco Zoological Gardens) and significantly contributed to the development of Coit Tower. His efforts related to the Panama–Pacific International Exposition were recognized with the French Légion d'honneur.
Personal life
On August 9, 1905, Fleishhacker married May Belle Greenebaum. The couple had three children: one daughter and two sons.