A.T. Smith
Ferndale had two prominent engineers between 1875 and 1893. One was A.T. Smith who had a
surveying and engineering business in Ferndale prior to 1878. In April 1880, after a two-year absence,
he resumed his practice in Ferndale. His office was located at the Gilt Edge Hotel, on the west side of
Main Street (roughly where Valley Grocery is now located). Mr. Smiths advertisement read:
"Surveying and Civil Engineering, Agent for the Sale of Real
Estate, Abstracts of Title furnished, and deeds, mortgages, and other papers
carefully drawn, houses rented and rents collected."
Mr. Smith, born in 1854, was raised around Ferndale, coming from a large family. His
brother and sisters were M. Janet, Emma S., and Ellen. Mr. Smith was known in
the area as an honest and sober young man. At the age of 21 in 1875, he was
appointed by County Surveyor Herrick as a Deputy Surveyor. He was also an
unsuccessful nominee on the Greenback ticket for Surveyor in the November 1880
election.
Joseph A. Shaw
The other prominent Ferndale surveyor, Joseph Armitage Shaw,
an 1881 graduate of the State University in Berkeley,
was a State Licensed Surveyor (LS No. 26). After his graduation he followed his
profession for a year in the Bitter Root Mountains in Idaho.
When he returned to Ferndale, he practiced his profession from his home located on the Shaw property.
In January 1885, he was appointed the Eureka City Surveyor, and in January 1886 kept an office at the
Western Hotel in Eureka as well as at his home in Ferndale.
Beginning in 1887 he served as Major and Engineer Officer on the Staff of the
Commanding Officer, sixth Brigade, California.
Before his marriage in 1889 to May Hart, daughter of P.F. Hart, Mr. Shaw had
filled the position of County Surveyor. Mr. Shaw was co-publisher of the Ferndale Enterprise with
Edward B. Carr, for a few years in the 1890s.
Mr. Shaw was the son of Seth Louis and Isabella Shaw, who
were the founders of Ferndale. His father Seth, had
served as County Coroner, County Surveyor, Justice of the Peace for Eel River Valley,
and Postmaster of Ferndale. The post office was located in the Shaw home for a
number of years, and many weddings were also performed in the Shaw Parlor. Seth
Shaw died in 1872. Joseph and May Shaw had four children: Joseph
Armitage III, Helen Isabella, Frederick Vanston, and Marion Elizabeth.
The Joseph & May Shaw Family
Joseph Shaw Survey Party
July 2, 1888
Photo courtesy of Ferndale Museum
