Charles Heard Fernald was a prominent pioneer, cultural leader, and jurist from Santa Barbara County, California. This collection consists of personal, legal, and land papers, primarily related to the Santa Barbara area, from 1850 to 1921.

Charles Heard Fernald was born in Maine on May 28, 1830. Fernald came to California in 1848 and tried mining in the Mother Lode. In 1850 he went to San Francisco, where he became a self-taught lawyer and a member of the California Bar at the age of twenty-two. Fernald settled in Santa Barbara and was elected successively as sheriff, district attorney, and judge of Santa Barbara County. He became recognized as a leading authority on Mexican land grants. He passed away in Santa Barbara on July 7, 1892.

10.59 Linear Feet (11 boxes, 25 volumes)

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