What Robert Dollar Gave to Marin

by Jocelyn Moss

From the Marin County Historical Society Magazine, vol. XVI, no. 1, 1991, pp. 13–15.


Robert Dollar began life as a Presbyterian in Scotland and these religious teachings and their influence followed him throughout his eventful life, From his earliest days, he carried his bible with him whether in the forests of Ontario or on the sea routes to China and the East. Both his granddaughters remember him reading from the bible at the start of every day and in the evening.

He was generous in his gifts to the Presbyterian Church. Back in 1877 while in Bracebridge, Ontario, he contributed lumber to build the Presbyterian Church there. When Robert Dollar moved to San Rafael he became a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He attended both morning and evening services. He was a trustee of the church from 1896 to 1916, when he was elected an elder which he remained until his death.

In 1914 he and Mrs. Dollar gave the bell chimes which were placed in the old Presbyterian Church tower. When the old church was torn down, the bells were moved to a place outside the new building. The bells are still heard on Sundays and special celebrations.

When Robert Dollar died in 1932, the funeral was held at the First Presbyterian Church in San Rafael. thousands crowded the small town to attend the funeral. He had so many friends and acquaintances in high and low places. There were chairs set up on the San Rafael Library lawn to accommodate those who could not find a place in the church. A loud speaker system broadcast the funeral service to the throng outside. Notable dignitaries from around the world sent floral attributes and the Governor of California, James Rolph and Mayor Rossi of San Francisco were honorary pall bearers. The Navy dirigible, Akron, dropped rose petals in recognition of this extraordinary man. A stained glass window was given to the church in the memory of Captain Dollar by all the employees of the various Dollar enterprises around the world.

Another recipient of Robert Dollars attention was the Sunny Hills Orphanage. This orphanage started when a widow died in San Rafael who left three children. The founder of the orphanage was Mrs. P. D. Browne. She incorporated the orphanage as the San Francisco Orphanage and Farm. The orphanage was governed by a Board of Directors and an advisory board. Robert Dollar was a member of the Advisory Board. As Mrs. Browne said, "Captain Dollar's name and the Orphanage are to my mind synonymous...." When the first little house grew too small, temporary quarters were taken at the old "Gilbert House" at 4th and E Streets in San Rafael. Looking for a larger property, they located 20 acres in San Anselmo. Robert Dollars generous donation towards the purchase made the acquisition possible. The dedication ceremonies were held on February 10, 1900. At that time there were 135 children at the orphanage who eagerly helped with the move. There was quite a bit of interest in the community; 600 visitors inspected the new building. Robert Dollar had a school built on the property in 1902 and when it burnt in 1913 he had it rebuilt. He was also concerned that the children have a good supply of milk and in 1920 gave 42 acres of pasture land as a Christmas gift. In 1922 a major fire burned the main building and the children were homeless. The children were put up in makeshift quarters. The Superintendent and his wife lived in a small garage for over a year. Robert and Mrs. Dollar came forth to donate the Grace Dollar Dickson Memorial building in memory of their beloved daughter who had died in 1921. Captain Dollar also built the Robert Dollar Home for Boys in 1929.

Robert Dollar's involvement with the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo was equally important. This Seminary originated in San Francisco as an institution to train young men for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. The Seminary moved to San Anselmo in 1896. Arthur Crosby, the minister of the First Presbyterian Church in San Rafael was quite instrumental in promotme Marin County as the ideal spot for a Seminary. He touted the superior weather but emphasized the young men would not only be out of the reach of unhealthy fogs but also the sin and vice of San Francisco. Robert Dollar served as a member of the Board of Trustees for twenty years. In 1917 Robert Dollar founded the Chair of the New Testament Interpretation with an endowment of $50,000. The new position was filled by Rev. E. A. Wicher and was known as the Robert Dollar Chair.

In 1919 Lynn T. White, the minister of the First Presbyterian Church in San Rafael gave a sermon titled "The Christian Attitude Toward the Organized Labor Movement in America." Since this was a time that there was a waterfront strike in San Francisco, Rev. White could certainly expect some comment from his parishioners, especially Robert Dollar. Beloved by all, Rev. White served as pastor of San Rafael's First Presbyterian Church from 1908 to 1920. He had baptized and married many local people and was considered an institution in the community. But he was also a bit of a radical with a tinge of socialism about his philosophy. After this Sunday sermon, Rev. White and Robert Dollar had several sessions together in which they both expressed their opinions. Then they more or less agreed to disagree. Robert Dollar was called away on a business trip so it was some time before Rev. White heard from him again. When he called on Rev. White, he proposed that he would fund a new Chair at the Presbyterian Seminary in Christian Sociology in honor of Mrs. Dollar. Lynn White could hardly believe his ears. He then heard Robert Dollar say, "There is a new day coming in these matters and I would like the Church to have something to say about it." A meeting was arranged between Dr. Landers, President of the Theological Seminary, and Robert Dollar in which Mr. Dollar offered to endow the Margaret S. Dollar Chair of Christian Social Ethics. Lynn White was nominated as the first professor at Mr. Dollar's request. He also held the position of Librarian for the Seminary. This was the first time a Presbyterian Seminary anywhere in the United States had a Chair of Christian Social Ethics. Dr. White held the professorship until he retired in 1948. Dr. White was the kind of professor that inspired heated discussion among his students. The students either agreed with Dr. White or they strongly disagreed. Robert Dollar saw in Lynn White the ability to teach about the social issues of the day and thought it important to prepare these future ministers to the gospel of a social ethic as well as the religious gospel. Robert Dollar took a special interest in the training of ministers as he admired in them their ability to turn away from the pursuit of material goods to follow the calling of Christ.

The Theological Seminary also received a set of chimes in 1923 from Robert Dollar. Thirteen bells were installed in Montgomery Hall. The bells were cast at the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore and brought through the Panama Canal in one of Robert dollar's ships, the Melville Dollar. The chimes played hymns that could be heard from Wolf 's Grade to White Hill. The bells still chime the hour at the Seminary and the Doxology is played in the evening.

Robert Dollar's last public appearance was at the Commencement Exercises at the Seminary. Although he was not feeling well, he insisted in walking in the academic procession and as President of the Board of Trustees gave a congratulatory message to the graduating class.

Although most of Robert dollar's gifts were to religious institutions, he did give one very important gift to the city of San Rafael. He presented the city two gifts of land. In 1920 he gave eleven acres and in 1923 he gave eight more. This gift of land plus help with the funding made possible the construction of Robert Dollar Scenic Drive from Boyd Park to the summit of San Rafael Hill.