Brief history of the REA. Began in 1920. The late Burt Compton of Humboldt county sponsored formation of the "North Bay Counties Assoc." which was the forerunner of the REA. The REA was reorganized in 1925. By the counties of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Mand., Humboldt. Del Norte, Napa, Lake and Josephine county (Oregon) agreeing to work together as a unit they felt they could get more fed. & state funds for highways and for policies.