Herrick Land Survey and Map Collection

Title: Herrick Land Survey and Map Collection

Dates: 1890-1930

Collection Number: 1999.10

Creator/Collector: Frank E. Herrick J.R. Porter W.T. Thomas W.F. Hunter J.A. Shaw H.S. Richardson

Extent: 251 items

Repository: Cal Poly Humboldt, Library Special Collections and Archives

Abstract: The Herrick Land Survey and Map Collection consists of land survey drawings and maps of Humboldt County, including a few of areas in Del Norte County (California) covering the 1890 - 1930 time period. The vast majority of surveys and maps were drawn by F.E. Herrick. The collection includes a few engineering drawings.

Language of Material: English

Collection is processed and available by appointment.

Copyright has not been assigned to the Humboldt State University Library. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce in any format, please contact the Special Collections Librarian.

[Identification of item]. Herrick Land Survey and Map Collection. Collection Number: 1999.10. Cal Poly Humboldt, Library Special Collections and Archives

Probably the collection was donated to the HSU Library in the 1960s.

From: History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California, by Prof. J.M. Guinn, A.M., 1904 (p.500). FRANK E. HERRICK. One of the most active, able and progressive young men of Humboldt county is Frank E. Herrick, surveyor and city engineer of Eureka. Conspicuous for his keen intelligence, good judgment and business acumen, he is prominently identified with the leading improvements of city and county, and is held in high esteem as a citizen of value and worth. A native of Humboldt county, he was born February 10, 1861, on Mad river, on a ranch lying about four miles from Arcata. His father, Rufus F. Herrick, a record of whose life may be found elsewhere in this work, entered the government service as first lieutenant of a company and was promoted to a captaincy and as Indian agent in 1861, serving four years. He afterward engaged in farming and contracting in Ferndale, on Eel river. In 1872 he assumed the office of county surveyor and served fourteen consecutive years, in the meantime making his home in Eureka. Coming to Eureka with his parents when a lad of eleven years, Frank E. Herrick subsequently attended the public schools five or six years, and then studied for a time under a private tutor. At the age of eighteen years he entered the employ of the United States government on coast survey, geodetic and harbor improvement, and served four years. Prior to this time he had worked, during his vacation, with his father and other competent engineers, thereby acquiring a practical education in surveying and engineering. Settling in Eureka, he worked as a civil engineer until 1889, when he was elected county surveyor on the Republican ticket, a position to which he was re-elected in 1891. The following term Mr. Herrick was not elected to the office, but in 1895 he was again elected county surveyor, and in 1897 was re-elected. At the expiration of his term of service in 1899 he accepted the position of chief engineer of the California and Northwestern Railway, and served for two years. In 1901, at the urgent solicitation of the citizens of Eureka, Mr. Herrick became city engineer, and superintended the construction of the sewer system, making all plans and specifications used in said work. The city was bonded for $115,000 for improvements of sewers and schools, and has now the best sewerage system in the state. In 1903 Mr. Herrick was re-elected to the same position, his labors having been fully appreciated. He was appointed in 1903, for a term of four years, deputy United States mineral surveyor for the state of California. For several years past he has done most of the engineering for the railways of the county, and has carried on a substantial general business as surveyor and civil engineer. Wideawake and ever quick to take advantage of opportunities for acquiring property, he has made several judicious investments, and is now owner of six hundred acres of valuable redwood timber land, of two hundred acres of marsh land lying near Eureka, and of a fourth of a block of city property. He is also interested to a considerable extent in the Clover Flat gold mine, in the northern part of the county. Mr. Herrick married Emma J. Gist, of San Jose, Cal. Her mother was one of those who started with the Donner party, and her first husband, whose name was Glover, went to the relief of that party. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick have three children, namely: Ralph, Frank Leslie and Gladys. Politically Mr. Herrick affiliates with the Republican party, and takes an active part in city, county and state affairs. He is a charter member of Humboldt Parlor, No. 14, Native Sons of the Golden West, and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

Geographic areas covered in the collection include areas within many Humboldt County towns, timber lands, railroad lines, waterways, and mines. Most maps were done for private citizens and the detail included in the drawing relates to the needs of each situation.