"To advance the science of structural engineering; to assist the public in obtaining dependable structural engineering services; to encourage engineering education; to maintain the honor and dignity of the profession and to enlighten the public with regard to the province of the structural engineer."

This was the avowed purpose of the new Structural Engineers Association of Southern California as it came into being in a meeting at the University Club in Los Angeles on February 20, 1929. The organizers were a group of twelve structural engineering consultants; two were also architects and one was a professor at the California Institute of Technology. Many of their names are well known today for their contributions to the science of structural engineering: Rufus M. Beanfield, Oliver G. Bowen, Clarence J. Derrick, Ralph A. Deline, Murray Erick, Mark M. Falk, Paul E. Jeffers, William Mellema, Romeo R. Martel, Clarence E. Noerenberg, Blaine Noice. SEAOSC membership grew rapidly, and by the end of 1930 included many additional engineers who are well remembered in the State of California, such as R.V. Labarre, D.F. Shugart, S.B. Barnes, R.W. Binder, W.M. Butts, B. Benioff, F.J. Converse, C.G. DeSwarte, M.F. Deering, N.W. Kelch, A.F. Miller, D.L. Narver, A.A. Sauer, S.S. Stahl, H.L. Whittlesey, W.E. Wilson, R.W. Wehr, and T. Von Karman.

Meanwhile, consulting structural engineers in San Francisco were meeting informally. The official beginning of the Northern California Association is traced to a meeting organized by R.C. Buell of the Portland Cement Association and held at the Engineer's Club on Sansome Street on January 18, 1930. Those invited to attend were H.J. Brunnier, E.L. Cope, W.P. Day, H.B. Hammill, W.L. Huber, C.H. Snyder, R.S. Chew, M.C. Couchot, H.D. Dewell, J.H. Hjul, J.B. Leonard, and L.H. Nishkian. On April 14, 1930 the Northern California Association was officially organized, with 18 of a total membership of 31 present. Henry J. Brunnier was the first president, and Harold B. Hammill was the secretary-treasurer.

The impetus which brought the structural engineers together was the need to improve their business practices and their relationships with architectural clients. During the years immediately following their formation, both the Southern California and Northern California associations limited their membership to structural engineers in private practice. To expand the membership, however, this criterion was later abandoned, and all structural engineers, whether in private practice or otherwise employed, were encouraged to become members.

After the formation of SEAONC in 1930, it quickly became apparent that much could be gained from closer contact between the Northern and Southern California groups. There was considerable discussion in both groups about establishing a means of correlating efforts and exchanging ideas between the north and the south. An exploratory meeting was held in Santa Monica in 1931 between representatives of the two organizations. A. J. Saph, Jr. of the Northern Association recalled that the Southern Association at that time seemed more inclined to identify with the architects, whereas members of the Northern Association considered themselves to be civil engineers. Later that year the state organization was founded. The first convention of SEAOC was held at the Santa Maria Inn on December 3 and 4, 1932. A constitution was adopted at that time, and was later ratified by the constituent associations.

Efforts had already begun to obtain the title of Structural Engineer for registered civil engineers in California specializing in this practice. The minutes and records of the Association of Northern California indicate that they spearheaded these efforts, and H.J. Brunnier devoted considerable personal effort to this task. Initially there was some difference of opinion about the scope that the license of structural engineer should have. Many thought it should include and regulate bridge designers as well as those who specialized in buildings. A few, particularly in the south, thought that the title should be tied to the architect's license rather than to that of the civil engineer. Nonetheless, the structural engineer title in its present form was brought into being by the state legislature in 1932.

A presentation will be made at the 2004 Convention on the history of the Association and significant projects by SEAOC's members for the past 75 years.