Description
Primarily field and level notebooks containing handwritten notes, drawings and calculations for survey work in the Los Angeles
and Southern California region. Created by Joseph A. Bernal, G.M.D. Fisher, Bernal & Bernal and also Alphonso J. Bernal (son
of Bernal).
Background
Joseph (Jose) Antonio Bernal (d. 1927) was the son of a Californio mother, Serafina (1805?-1898). He was cited in the Los
Angeles City/County Directory 1886/1887, p. 180 as a surveyor, with 18 years experience, specializing in old Spanish land
grants. In the 1910 and 1920 censuses, his occupation was listed as Civil Engineer. Two sons were also civil engineers.
He had a long career as a city employee, including Surveyor in the Bureau of Engineering. Apparently well-respected and
active in community affairs, his friends included Joseph Mesmer, Isidor Dockweiler, William Mulholland, E.A. Tuttle, John
G. Rockhold, Eugene Biscailuz, William Traeger, R.F. Del Valle, W.R. Rowland and Boyle Workman. He died at age 71 in January,
1927. G.M.D. Fisher was an 1885 graduate from Indiana.