California Biographies, Santa Cruz County. FRED W. SWANTON. Transcribed by Peggy Hooper Source: History of Santa Cruz County, California Pacific Press Publishing Company San Francisco, Cal. 1892 By E. S. Harrison This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm FRED W. SWANTON. Difficult if not impossible would it be to name any citizen who is more closely connected with the modern development of Santa Cruz than Mr. Swanton, whose reputation for aggressive energy and success in promoting enterprises is not limited to his home city, but extends throughout all of the central coast counties. A list of the movements he has fostered would be practically a list of all the enterprises contributing to civic progress, for no measure has been presented of present or future value to the city that has lacked his cooperation. His support has been withheld from no project necessary to local development. Whatever of prominence Santa Cruz has gained throughout the west as a popular resort and attractive city, the credit for such result belongs to him in no small degree. Illustrative of the identification of Mr. Swanton with local measures, we mention the following: In 1881 he enthu- siastically fostered the movement that resulted in the installation of the first telephone system in Santa Cruz. In 1883 he built the hotel Swanton and in 1886, the first athletic park. During 1888-89 he promoted the first electric light plant, and in 1890-91, the first electric railroad. During 1893-94 he built the plant of the Big Creek Power Company. In 1895-96 he aided in securing the consolidation of the concerns forming the Santa Cruz Electric Light & Gas Company. In 1900 the consolidation of the Santa Cruz street railroads was effected and the following year the Monterey & Pacific Grove elec- tric railroad was erected, similar work being done in 1902-03 for the Santa Cruz & Capitola electric railroad. During 1903 he was one of the progressive men who enthusiastically began to "boom" Santa Cruz, calling the attention of people else- where to the natural advantages possessed by the city. In 1904 he promoted the Co-operative electric light plant and built the first Casino and bathing pavilion, also the Tent City and electric pier. For 1906 the special works were new beach improvements, promoting the Casino, Natatorium cottage city and the famous board walk on Santa Cruz beach. The com- pletion of the Casino, Natatorium and beach improvements marked the year 1907, while the next year was marked by the opening up of the Swanton beach park along the Cliff drive and the Swanton beach. This forms a residence district un- excelled for beauty. The year 1909 was characterized by the drawing of plans for a new hotel, to cost $500,000, which Mr. Swanton proposes to erect in 1910 on the property adjoining the Casino. Born in Brooklyn, N. Y., April 11, 1862, Fred W. Swanton was four years of age when he came to California with his mother, the father, Albion Paris Swanton, having preceded them. In 1867 he came with the family to Santa Cruz and soon afterward became a pupil in the public school. During 1881 he was graduated from Heald's Business College, after which for a year lie was employed by the Maderra Flume & Trading Company, of Fresno, and for a year was with the Santa Clara Valley Mill & Lumber Company. About this time he made a trip to the east and secured the state right for a telephone patent. Later he devoted considerable attention to the construction of telephone systems. In 1883, with his father, he erected the Swanton hotel, and this the two men conducted until it was destroyed by fire in June of 1888. At the same time he acted as manager of the Santa Cruz opera house. After the dissolution of the partnership he established the Palace pharmacy, but sold in fifteen months, and immediately became interested in the project to light Santa Cruz with incandescent electricity. Associated with Dr. H. H. Clark, in October of 1889, he put in a machine of three hundred lights. At once the price of gas dropped from. $3.50 to $2.50 per thousand feet. The demand for the lights was so great that it was necessary to add a machine of six hundred and fifty lights. Within two years they were supplying five thousand incandescent lights. The success of the work rendered a new organization necessary and the Santa Cruz Electric Light Company was founded with the following officers: H. H. Clark, president; A. P. Swanton, vice-president; F. W. Swanton, secretary and manager, as well as the largest stockholder. In the fall of 1895 the plant was sold to James McNeil. The Big Creek Power Company was established in 1896 with the following officers : Henry Willey, president ; William Rennie, vice-president; F. W. Swanton, secretary and manager; and C. E. Lilly, treasurer. Eighteen miles were built along the mountains and the entire line was finished in sixty days from the time it was started. In 1900 Mr. Swanton sold his interest to J. Q. Packard and F. W. Billings. It is worthy of note that Mr. Swanton introduced into Santa Cruz the very first incandescent lights used in California and that his was the first long-distance electric power plant in the state. Its capacity was increased from twenty-five hundred to ten thousand lights, and light then was provided for Wat- sonville and Capitola as well as Santa Cruz. After having disposed of his interest in the power plant Mr. Swanton visited the Alaskan gold fields. On his return he organized the Santa Cruz Oil Company to operate in the Bakersfield oil fields, with Henry Willey as president and J. J. C. Leonard as vice-president. During 1901 he began the organization of a new electric street car company to run from Santa Cruz to Watsonville by way of Capitola, and this work oc- cupied his attention in the next two years. Later he became extensively interested in building up the beach and his name is associated with numerous buildings along the coast, his chief association, however, being with the Swanton beach and the park of the same name. Here he plans to erect a magnificent hotel, equipped with modern conveniences and provided with all the comforts necessary to the successful management of a hotel catering to cultured and refined guests. The marriage of Mr. Swanton was solemnized December 25, 1884, and united him with Miss Stanley Hall, daughter of Richard Hall, of Santa Cruz. Mr. and Mrs. Swanton, with their daughter. Miss Pearl Hall, occupy a modern residence in the midst of beautiful grounds and affording a charming view of the city, ocean and the mountains. In fraternal relations Mr. Swanton holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.