Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Swamp House

Photographed By El Viceroy Marques de Branciforte Chapter 1797-ECV

1. The Swamp House Marker

Inscription. Locally known as "The Swamp House," from 1892 to 1920, this brothel occupied what is now the empty lot behind the Odd Fellows Hall. The high water table created a murky slough in front of this den of intiquity, and to approach the house, patrons had to cross the swamp on a rickety raised-plank board walk. As a result The Swamp House was probably the only whorehouse in the valley untroubled by rowdy drunks. "Hell," the loggers agreed, "you have to be plumb sober just to make it to the front door."

Erected 2013 by The San Lorenzo Valley History Museum The International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 152 El Viceroy Marques de Branciforte Chapter 1797 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 2013.

Location. 37° 7.439′ N, 122° 7.352′ W. Marker is in Boulder Creek, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker is at the intersection of Forest Street and Pine Street, on the right when traveling west on Forest Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boulder Creek CA 95006, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. I.O.O.F. Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Basham Boarding House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Mountain Echo Newspaper Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Stagg/Hartman House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Women's Christian Temperance Union (about 500 feet away); McLeod House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grace Episcopal Church Building (approx. half a mile away); Brown Family Residence (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boulder Creek.

Regarding The Swamp House. The marker is located on the lot behind the Odd Fellows Building.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 29, 2022

2. The Swamp House Marker

Lower marker reads:
In Memory of XNGH #20
Dennis "The Menace" Gobets
"If we ain't plaquing, We ain't Clamping"
WWDD?

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, July 29, 2022

3. The Swamp House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 659 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2017. 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.