Henry B. Fisher and Raymond W. Fisher surveys collection, 1892-1969

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Fisher, Henry B. and Fisher, Raymond W.
Abstract:
This collection contains surveys of property and plans for sewer and road construction, primarily for Santa Clara County, made by Henry B. Fisher and his son Raymond W. Fisher.
Extent:
1 archival box, 68 oversize boxes, and five map case drawers
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Henry B. Fisher and Raymond W. Fisher surveys collection, 2007-003, Santa Clara County Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Fisher Surveyor Records contain slightly over 1700 surveys and plans dating from 1892 to 1969. The surveys primarily are of private property throughout Santa Clara County, both rural and urban. Most surveys include one or more maps and pages of calculation and/or written descriptions of the property boundaries. Many survey files are plans for new residential subdivisions. In addition, the records contain plans for captial improvements, such as sewer systems and roads improvements. These records are especially strong for Gilroy. The records also include surveys made of school lots and surveys made of property lines for businesses, among other matters.

Biographical / historical:

Henry B. Fisher and his son Raymond W. Fisher worked as surveyors and civil engineers in Santa Clara County and nearby areas from the 1890s until the 1960s. Born in Wisconsin in 1866, Henry Fisher moved to San Jose in 1893, having previously worked as a deputy county surveyor in Minnesota, an engineer for Woods Harvester Works, and an employee of the U.S. War Department for harvor and river work. During his career in California, he served as city engineer for the towns of Santa Clara, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Alviso, and Carmel, as well as maintaining a private practice. He died in 1931. His son, Raymond W. Fisher, was born in 1892. Raymond Fisher also worked as a surveyor and civil engineer, carrying on a private practice primarily in Santa Clara County. He died in 1976.

Acquisition information:
This collection was given to Santa Clara County by the Fisher family in the 1990s. It was transferred to the Archives by the County Surveyor in 2006.
Processing information:

The Fisher Surveys Collection was processed by Michael Griffith, Kevin Fleming, and Trista Raezer, working under NHPRC grant RA-10047-07. A fuller account of the grant project is available at the Archives website. The collection was indexed by Bob Johnson, an Archives volunteer, retired as head of the California Room of the San Jose Public Library. When transferred to the Archives, the surveys were rolled tightly and often dirty. Each survey was cleaned and flattened. The surveys were numbered when processed, catalogued in a database, and stored in processing number order. Processing of this collection is continuing and is approximately two-thirds complete.

Arrangement:

The files are arranged in processing number order.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult Archives staff.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The Archives can claim physical ownership only for some collections. Users are responsible for securing permission of the copyright holder for publication or quotation.

Preferred citation:

Henry B. Fisher and Raymond W. Fisher surveys collection, 2007-003, Santa Clara County Archives.

Location of this collection:
1875 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112, US
Contact:
(408) 755-7895
Archives@rec.sccgov.org
Website