Edward W. Vernon Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-39

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edward W. Vernon papers contain materials accumulated by Ed Vernon during his research for two history books he authored on Baja California missions and maritime history.

The materials include correspondence, research notes, field notes, photographic materials, maps, site plans, journals, secondary materials, and digital assets.

Dates

1533 - 2015

Creator

Vernon, Edward W., 1926-2016 (Author, Person)

Language of Materials

While primarily in English, some materials are in Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Director for Historical Resources. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital facsimiles of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Biographical / Historical

Edward W. Vernon was a successful entrepreneur, engineer, and Southern California native. He served during World War II and later founded Development Associates in Goleta, California, where he and his colleagues developed the first dollar bill changer. Following his retirement in 1996, Vernon traveled extensively in Baja California where he conducted field research on the missions and maritime history of the penisula. From that research he authored two books; Las Misiones Antiguas, The Spanish Missions of Baja California, and A Maritime History of Baja California.

Edward Wood Vernon was born on December 8, 1926, in Temple City, California. He enlisted in the Navy and served during World War II.

After the war, Vernon attended Pasadena Junior College and the University of Southern California (USC), graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. In 1947, while working on his degree, he married Barbara Lee Vernon. Together they had three children.

Vernon's first job out of college was with General Electric (GE) where he worked in various capacities. The Vernons moved from California to various spots in the Midwest and east during his employment with GE. They returned to California where Vernon worked for Circle Seal. Later, Vernon founded Development Associates in Goleta, California, where he and his colleagues developed the first dollar bill changer.

In 1964, Vernon established Development Associates Controls (D.A.C.) in Santa Barbara, a machine tool manufacturing company, specializing in drills and programmers for the printed circuit board industry. By the late 1980s, DAC had become one of the world's leading and most innovative suppliers in this field, and has continued in this role to the present.

After his retirement in 1996, Vernon traveled extensively in Baja California, researching, and writing two books: Las Misiones Antiguas, The Spanish Missions of Baja California, and A Maritime History of Baja California.

According to his obituary, Edward Vernon was known as an intelligent, adventurous man with a positive outlook. He was a man who loved and supported his family. Vernon was active in many organizations in Santa Barbara including the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, Vistas and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. He passed away on February 1, 2016 at age 89.

Extent

3 Linear Feet ( – 2 records storage boxes, 2 flat boxes, 2 small boxes)

2,061 Photographs

135 Optical Disks ( – containing 29.5 GB)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Edward W. Vernon papers contain materials accumulated by Ed Vernon during his research for two history books he authored on Baja California missions and maritime history. The materials include correspondence, research notes, field notes, photographic materials, maps, site plans, journals, secondary materials, and digital assets.

Ed Vernon was a successful entrepreneur, engineer, and Southern California native. He served during World War II and later founded Development Associates in Goleta, California, where he and his colleagues developed the first dollar bill changer.

Following his retirement in 1996, Vernon traveled extensively in Baja California where he conducted field research on the missions and maritime history of the penisula. From that research he authored two books; Las Misiones Antiguas, The Spanish Missions of Baja California, and A Maritime History of Baja California.

Arrangement

This collection is organized in 7 series:

Series 1. Baja California Missions, 1683-2014

Series 2. Baja California Maritime History, 1533-2009

Series 3. Manuscripts, 2001-2005

Series 4. Maps, 1757-2009

Series 5. Moving Images, 1953-1959

Series 6. Photographs, 1960-2015

Series 7. Presentations, 2009-2012

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifted by Mary Barnhizer, daughter of Edward W. Vernon, to Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, March 23, 2016.

Separated Materials

Eleven publications were removed from the Baja California Maritime History box of materials to be cataloged separately in the Presidio Research Center Library.

Bibliography

Vernon, Edward W. 2002. Las misiones antiguas: the Spanish missions of Baja California, 1683-1855. Santa Barbara, Calif: Viejo Press.

Vernon, Edward W. 2009. A maritime history of Baja California. Santa Barbara, Calif: Viejo Press, with the cooperation of the Maritime Museum of San Diego.

Vernon, Edward W. 2012. Asistencia Santa Margarita de Cortona: An architectural study and photographic collection of the mission-era stone structure. Santa Barbara, Calif: Viejo Press.