1923-24 Diary of an Observant San Francisco Teen Insightfully Discussing Her Personal Life, the Arts, Local and World Events

On offer is an interesting journal kept by a motivated and organized young woman attending the all-girls Notre Dame High School in San Francisco, California in the early 20th century. 

The diary is written by a high school student mainly during her freshman and sophomore years. Research and context indicates that her name is Gladys Margaret Finney. Only her surname is visible on the inside cover (which has been heavily ripped), but her full name is noted in a list she hand wrote naming all members of the “Class of 1926”, of which she was a member. From context in the journal and research cross-referencing the names of Finney’s classmates, it appears Gladys is our author and that she was attending Notre Dame High School in San Francisco at the time of her writing. 

Gladys Margaret Finney Luhman (1910-1997) was born in California to parents Constance (1882-1929)  and Francis Joseph (1876-1956) Finney. She was an only child. In 1942, she married Bertrand C. Luhman (1909-1944) He died only two years later of esophageal cancer. Gladys does not appear to have remarried or had any children. She and Bertrand are buried together.

Finney’s entries are detailed though inconsistent. Her diary begins in April of 1923, when she is a high school freshman. She writes until August of 1923, then picks up again and writes sporadically between January and July of 2024. She also makes a number of undated entries. 

The diary is chock full of discussions deemed important by high school students of the day, some neat content about the military, as well as a lot of discussion of life in California. Gladys also enjoys attending film and theatre productions and often gives thoughtful summaries and reviews of shows she’s seen. Some excerpts:

“Mrs. G. Wore her blue crepe de chine waist , blue skirt, black shoes & stockings & black sweater. I got 88 in History. And 100% in Science” [Apr 21, 1923]. 

“Today Section A – Biology was introduced to Ferdinand Shumann by Sr. Cecile Marie.... He has black hair a la Valentina, brown eyes, he wore a black suit with grey stripe bow tie, brown oxfords and spats. He carried a cane, brown hat and white gloves...OH THRILLS” [Jan 24, 1924]. 

“Last Friday we went down to Santa Clara to see “Everyman”. The play was very good. It was an old morality play from the Middle Ages. The author is unknown. I went in Evelyn (Lagomansind?)’s machine. It’s a seven passenger Haynes sedan. Mrs. Lagomansind, Claire McCarthy and Evelyn sat in the front…Our machine was the only one with a grown up driver. Ann Nuttman drove her own car, so did Dorothy Barnett…” [April 9, 1924]. 

“...I went to the Golden Gate with Kathleen. About the best picture I’ve seen is Sporting Youth. It was very exciting with an automobile race. Reginald Denny takes the part of the chauffeur…On Monday June 23, 1924 the first cross-country in-a-day trip was made thro the air by Lieutenant R.L Maughan of the U.S. Army Air Service. He started from Mitchell Field, N.Y., at 3:59 AM Eastern Time and arrived to Crissy Field, S.F. at 9:47PM Pacific Time. The actual flying time was a little over 17 hours, so he really beat the sun. 40,000 San Franciscans were waiting to greet him. He was given bouquets and receptions etc. He spoke over IEPO one night and among the listeners in was his wife in Utah…” [July 3, 1924].

Of interest is her description of seeing Royal Navy sailors in the port of San Francisco. She mentions by name the famed British battleship HMS HOOD. In fact, this was a port of call on HOOD’s round-the-world Empire Cruise of the Special Service Squadron: 

“So yesterday, we went across to Ruth’s. We saw the ships. They looked wonderful. The H.M.S. Hood is 940 feet long. It looked immense. The “California” was right next to it and looked like a baby. Going over, we saw a boatload of sailors on the Narrow Gauge. Oakland and Berkley entertained the soldiers yesterday. Last night, we went to Oakland and saw them again. You could hardly make them out, though. On the 12th and Broadway train there were three sailors - two American and one English. The two were joking and laughing and having a good time. But the other fellow only half smiled and looked lonesome - perhaps for the loss he left behind him…”  [part of a multi-day entry begun on July 11, 1924]. 

Also of interest is a listing of all of her graduating classmates and a poem she wrote incorporating all of the names of her classmates, both at the end of the diary. 

For a social historian, this journal is an excellent window into the world of a young American girl growing up in post WWI America. The horrors of WWI are behind her and the ravages of the Great Depression yet to come. For a genealogist, the class/student list is an excellent reference for research.

This small journal measures 6.75x4.0 inches and contains 72 pages. It is 100% complete. The front cover is damaged. The bottom right corner, accounting for about 25% of the cover is torn off. The back cover shows wear and worn marks on the outer and bottom edges. The binding is generally firm. The pages are in good condition. The handwriting is legible.