Upstairs from the casino, he operated a theater that brought opera stars and other well-known entertainers to the city as attractions. In subsequent years the first “thrill ride” was opened, a miniature railway was built along with a carousel and an organ. Swanton then developed the Casa Del Rey hotel across Beach Street from the casino in 1911.
In his spare time, this early entrepreneur established the county’s first golf course, the Santa Cruz Golf and Country Club, where Pogonip is today. Swanton even stepped into politics and served as mayor of the city from 1927 to 1933. His one major failure was land he bought and subdivided on the far end of West Cliff Drive, named Swanton Beach Park.
Gary Griggs “Fred Swanton left his mark on early Santa Cruz”, Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 2, 2023.
Time brought change to Pogonip. After the construction of the landmark clubhouse and the greens, the Casa del Rey Club and Golf Links was opened in 1912. When competition from other courses led to the closure of the course by the 1930s, the area was then transformed into popular polo fields.
In 1911, Fred Swanton, then developer of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, built the Casa del Rey Club and Golf Links at Pogonip. With financing through friend John Martin and the Southern Pacific Railroad, Swanton built an 18-hole golf course and the stately clubhouse. Swanton is also known for establishing Santa Cruz County’s first power company, providing the first incandescent lighting in California; he developed the Santa Cruz Oil Company; built the pier, pavilion, casino and the Casa del Rey Hotel. Fred Swanton also served as Mayor of Santa Cruz from 1927-1933.
Via Pogonip.org