Thomas R. Bard
| Thomas R. Bard | |
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United States Senator from California |
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In office February 7, 1900 - March 3, 1905 |
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| Preceded by | Stephen M. White |
| Succeeded by | Frank P. Flint |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 8, 1841 Chambersburg, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 5, 1915 (aged 73) Port Hueneme, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | Union Army |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Thomas Robert Bard (December 8, 1841 – March 5, 1915) was a political leader in California who assisted in the organization of Ventura County and represented the state in the United States Senate from 1900 to 1905 as a Republican. He is known as the "Father of Port Hueneme" for his efforts in building and expanding the city, as well as the first and only deep water port in the area. He is one of the founders of the UNOCAL company.
Born in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania on December 8, 1841, Bard attended the common schools, and graduated from the Chambersburg Academy in 1858. He studied law in school, and before his graduation, he secured a job with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Later, he became an assistant to the superintendent of the Cumberland Valley Railroad. Other business ventures included the grain business in Hagerstown, Maryland. During the early part of the Civil War, Bard served as a volunteer Union scout during the invasions of Maryland and Pennsylvania by the Confederates.
Thomas R. Bard moved to Ventura County, California in 1864 and served as a member of the board of supervisors of Santa Barbara County from 1868 to 1873. In 1871, he was appointed as a commissioner to organize Ventura County. During this time, he laid out the plans for Port Hueneme, California, the future site of his Berylwood estate.
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