Frank Pierce Doyle
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Frank Pierce Doyle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 30 May 1863 |
| Died | 5 August 1948 (aged 85) |
| Burial place | Santa Rosa Odd Fellows Cemetery |
| Occupations | Banker; Philanthropist |
Frank Pierce Doyle (30 May 1863 – 5 August 1948) was an American banker and philanthropist who was active in Sonoma County civil society and is known as the "Father of the Golden Gate Bridge."[1]
Frank Pierce Doyle was born in Petaluma, California on May 30, 1863, to Manville Doyle (1831–1916) and Mary Evelyn Doyle (née Conley) (1843–1926).[2] Frank was the second of ten children, only three of which would live to adulthood. Manville, a native of Springfield, Illinois arrived in California in 1850 during the California Gold Rush, settling in Petaluma in 1855. Shortly after Frank's birth, the family moved to Cloverdale.[3] The family returned to Petaluma in 1876 where Manville served as a city councilman and as president of the Petaluma Water Works.[4] Frank graduated from Petaluma High School in 1880. In 1886, Frank became the manager of the Petaluma Water Works, succeeding his father.[5]
Early career and the Santa Rosa Exchange Bank
In 1890, Manville moved to Santa Rosa, California and founded the Santa Rosa Exchange Bank at the corner of 4th Street and Mendocino Avenue, with Frank working as the bank's cashier.[6]
In 1903, Frank married Mary Amelia "Polly" O'Meara (1867–1944). In 1907, their son, Frankie O'Meara Doyle, was born. However, in 1921, Frankie died from complications following tonsillectomy surgery.[7]
In the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which nearly destroyed the entire downtown of Santa Rosa, Doyle, an automobile enthusiast, played an important role in convincing local business owners to donate frontage space so that the rebuilt streets may be widened for the increased future usage of automobiles.[8] As the city rebuilt, Doyle founded the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce to revive the local economy, and served as its first chairman.[9] Built in 1911, the Doyle Building, located at 643 4th Street in Santa Rosa, was named for Doyle to commemorate his efforts rebuilding the city.
In August 1916, Frank succeeded his father as president of the Santa Rosa Exchange Bank.[10] In addition to running the bank, Doyle operated fruit and dairy ranches around Sonoma County.[11]
Doyle was an early member of the Redwood Empire Association, which promoted tourism in the region and the newly built northern portion of Highway 101 with publicity stunts like the 1927 and 1928 Redwood Highway Marathons.[12][13]
Golden Gate Bridge
As speculation as to whether a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait connecting Marin County and San Francisco grew in the early 20th century, on January 13, 1923, in Santa Rosa, Doyle organized and served as one of the foundational members of the "Bridging the Golden Gate Association," which would formally become the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District in 1928.[14]
For fifteen years, Doyle dedicated significant time and funds serving as a director of the bridge executive committee, and served as president of the board.[15] On May 27, 1937, Doyle was given the honor of ceremonially breaking the chain to officially open the completed Golden Gate Bridge to the public and to be the first person to cross it in a private automobile.[16] As a result of his efforts to conceive and complete the bridge, Doyle has been referred to as the "Father of the Golden Gate Bridge."[17]
