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

Davenport Jail

Photographed by Jim Cirner

1. Davenport Jail Marker

Inscription.
uilt in 1914, the entire structure is made of Santa Cruz Portland Cement from the nearby Davenport Cement Plant. During its history, the two-cell jail saw little use in this peaceful community.

It once held two boys from San Mateo while they thought about their horse-stealing lark and occasionally provided accommodations for the local inebriate.

After the new Front Street Jail opened in Santa Cruz in 1936, the tiny Davenport facility fell into disuse. Today, the building houses exhibits about the history of Davenport and the North coast region.

Erected 2014 by El Viceroy Marques de Branciforte E Clampus Vitus Chapter 1797.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 37° 0.685′ N, 122° 11.658′ W. Marker is in Davenport, California, in Santa Cruz County. It is on Center Street east of Cabrillo Highway (California Highway 1), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1914 Center Street, Davenport

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CA 95017, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washout 1997 to 2001 (approx. 3.9 miles away); Swanton Pacific Ranch (approx. 4 miles away); Swanton (approx. 4.3 miles away); Big Creek Light and Power Company (approx. 4.6 miles away); Historic Lime Kilns (approx. 6.3 miles away); Felton Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.2 miles away); Felton Heritage Tree (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davenport.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Site of the Historic Foresters Hall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has

Davenport Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by El Viceroy Marques de Branciforte Chapter No 1797-ECV

2. Davenport Jail

Marker is visible mounted on the wall to the right of the entrance door.

been confirmed missing).

3. Davenport Jail Marker

Special thanks to the following community members for their support with the restoration and preservation of the Davenport Jail.

Roland Law, Violi Law, Frank Olimpio Jr, Karen McNally, Josie Celebrado Gilbert, Jason Selman, Maria Olivas, Cindy Escobar, George Majors, William Henry, Jose Guerrero-Flores, Bob Piwarzyk, Paul Figueroa, Satish Sheth, Ken Kanagaard, Lud McCrary, Bud McCrary, Steve Hicks, Butch Huff, David Lundberg, ECV 1846-Monterey Viejo, ECV 1797-Branciforte, North Coast Reunion Committee, Todd Cook, Jerry Cook, Jesse Katz, Lou Bach, Noel Bach, David Handcoff, Renee Kwan, Janet Pollock, Mark Primick, Walt Dennig, Marty DeMare

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 932 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 17, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 2. submitted on January 18, 2017, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 3. submitted on January 18, 2017. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.