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

The Cremer House

Photographed By Jim Cirner

1. The Cremer House Marker

Inscription. The Cremer Hotel was completed in 1876 to house, feed & entertain the laborers who massed to the San Lorenzo Valley when Redwood logging began in the late 19th century. Gambling, loose women and liquor flowed freely within its redwood-framed walls, occasionally erupting into news worthy brawls between patrons or the violent murder of a staff member. The series of devastating fires that burned much of Felton miraculously spared the Cremer Hotel, earning it the title of the oldest surviving structure in downtown Felton.

Through the years, the building has been used as a Hollywood film set, an industrial apiary, a hobby shop, a drug store, a beauty salon, and supposedly a hooch house. Today the building houses the Cremer House Restaurant and upholds the tradition of feeding and entertaining Felton locals.

Erected 2016 by El Viceroy Marques de Branciforte E Clampus Vitus Chapter 1797.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 37° 3.139′ N, 122° 4.383′ W. Marker is in Felton, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker is on State Highway 9 south

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of Felton Empire Road/Graham Hill Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6254 Hwy 9, Felton CA 95018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Felton Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Felton Covered Bridge (about 800 feet away); Roaring Camp Covered Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wagon Top Boiler (approx. one mile away); Heisler / Shay / Climax Locomotive (approx. one mile away); Historic Lime Kilns (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Lt. John C. Fremont Tree (approx. 1.4 miles away); St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Felton.

Also see . . . The Cremer House: Scandalous Stories From Felton’s Oldest Building. The Creamer Hotel in Felton, California (now known as the Cremer House) is rumored to have harbored both prostitutes and contraband liquor within its sturdy walls. As the oldest building in this small town in the Santa Cruz Mountains, its history is filled with colorful characters, including a savvy business-woman, disgruntled barber, lovesick waitress, and old western film stars. The story of the Creamer Hotel begins with a husband and wife—Thomas Cremer from Germany and Margaret Toohig from Ireland—and a man named John Henry Brown. (Submitted on January 17, 2017.)

The Cremer House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 23, 2022

2. The Cremer House

The marker is to the right of the center door, first floor.

January 12, 2015

3. The Cremer House

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 957 times since then and 127 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 17, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 2. submitted on April 24, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on January 17, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.