Danville in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Hap Magee Ranch
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 18, 2020
1. Hap Magee Ranch Marker
Originally owned by August Hemme in 1852, just after
California achieved statehood, this land was purchased in 1911
by the San Francisco Protestant Orphanage Asylum.
Camp Swain was built to give foster children a warm summer
away from cold coastal fog. Campers slept in tents, swam in the
creek, picked fruit and raised rabbits. It operated until the start
of World War II in 1941. The only original camp building still
standing is The Swain House.Harry and Juanita Magee purchased the land in 1946 and renamed it Edgewood Farm. Their son, Harry "Hap” Jr., was known as a "good ole cowboy” and kept his herd of 3,000 Texas Longhorn cattle here; one of the largest in America. His favorite pet steer, "Andy” rode in the back seat space of Hap's convertible Lincoln Continental in Danville parades and ran down Wall Street in New York City for a Merrill Lynch commercial in 1978.
After Hap's death in 1987 the Town of Danville and Contra Costa County turned the land into Hap Magee Ranch Park to honor our Cowboy Hall of Fame member.
Erected 2019 by Danville Heritage
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location. 37° 50.319′ N, 122° 1.105′ W. Marker is in Danville, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker can be reached from La Gonda Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1027 La Gonda Way, Danville CA 94526, 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. The Tatcan People (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alamo Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Captain Pedro Fages Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Railroad Put Alamo on the Map (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stone Valley (approx. 1.1 miles away); Alamo Grammar School (approx. 1.1 miles away); San Ramon Union High School (approx. 1.2 miles away); Site of the J.M. Jones House (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.
Also see . . . Who was Hap Magee? (DanvilleSanRamon.com). Provides a biography of Hap Magee, as well as a thorough history of the ranch/park. (Submitted on July 18, 2020.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 18, 2020
2. Hap Magee Ranch Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here to the left of the entrance on the Swain House, the last remaining structure from Camp Swain.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 18, 2020
3. Capt. Isaac and Ann Tasker Swain Memorial Plaque (about 100 feet from main marker)
This happy harbor for the children of the
San Francisco Protestant Orphanage Asylum
was provided by the
kind forethought of Captain Isaac Swain
and Ann Tasker Swain His Wife 1874
To their memory this tablet is created
Dedicated 1918
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 18, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
