HENRY ALLEN RISPIN & 1920S CAPITOLA
"For all its claims to weirdness, Santa Cruz has nothing that can compare to the creepy strange-but-true eccentricities of Capitola's Rispin Mansion." —Wallace Baine, Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 29, 2009
Supplemented Income with “Supplement”
In 1919, advertisements for Templeton’s Rheumatic Capsules featured an endorsement by Henry Allen Rispin. “The relief was noticeable from the first dose, and in a few days all pain had left me,” said Rispin. “The results seem miraculous.” The ads appeared in Canadian newspapers. This one is from the December 12, 1919, Daily Province in Vancouver. Being the “Newest Oil King,” Rispin was presumably paid for the endorsement.
In 1919, advertisements for Templeton’s Rheumatic Capsules featured an endorsement by Henry Allen Rispin. “The relief was noticeable from the first dose, and in a few days all pain had left me,” said Rispin. “The results seem miraculous.” The ads appeared in Canadian newspapers. This one is from the December 12, 1919, Daily Province in Vancouver. Being the “Newest Oil King,” Rispin was presumably paid for the endorsement.
Benbow Drew Plans
Rispin’s architect, George McCrea, was assisted by 22-year-old Helen G. Benbow. Both McCrea and Benbow are listed in the 1920 census for Capitola. Benbow’s occupation was recorded as “draughtsman, house plans.” Born in 1898, Benbow had grown up in Humboldt County, California. In the middle 1920s she and her siblings built and began operating a large hotel called “Hotel Benbow” near Garberville. Helen Benbow died in 1976, but a room at what is now the "Benbow Inn" is named in her honor.
First Mayor Had Rispin Connections
After Capitola became and incorporated city in 1949, Harlan P. Kessler became the town’s first mayor. Kessler’s Capitola connections, however dated back to at least 1925, when he and his wife, Marjorie, acquired a seaside residence here. They called it “Wander Inn.” In 1928, Kessler acted as an agent for Rispin when he bought back his mansion. Later, Kessler developed the Fanmar Terrace subdivision. (See Santa Cruz Evening News, November 27, 1928, p. 7)
After Capitola became and incorporated city in 1949, Harlan P. Kessler became the town’s first mayor. Kessler’s Capitola connections, however dated back to at least 1925, when he and his wife, Marjorie, acquired a seaside residence here. They called it “Wander Inn.” In 1928, Kessler acted as an agent for Rispin when he bought back his mansion. Later, Kessler developed the Fanmar Terrace subdivision. (See Santa Cruz Evening News, November 27, 1928, p. 7)
Fruit Farm Fiasco
In 1921, Rispin paid $125,000 for a 210-acre fruit farm in Shasta County. The principal fruit trees were prunes, but there were also pears and peaches. Rispin planned to subdivide it into small farms of ten and twenty acres and sell these at a profit. Instead, Rispin sold the same 210-acre orchard two years later for $100,000—a $25,000 loss. (See Sacramento Bee, June 7, 1921, p. 9 and October 29, 1923, p. 8)
In 1921, Rispin paid $125,000 for a 210-acre fruit farm in Shasta County. The principal fruit trees were prunes, but there were also pears and peaches. Rispin planned to subdivide it into small farms of ten and twenty acres and sell these at a profit. Instead, Rispin sold the same 210-acre orchard two years later for $100,000—a $25,000 loss. (See Sacramento Bee, June 7, 1921, p. 9 and October 29, 1923, p. 8)
Husband and Wife Won Prizes
In 1924, a large number of Rispin's Capitola properties were put up for auction. To attract bidders, a drawing was held for a variety of prizes. The grand prize was a Chevrolet automobile. It was won by Mr. Edward Robinson of San Jose. Coincidently, Robinson’s wife (listed only as “Mrs. Robinson”) won a fine rug “while all the other women looked on with envy.” (See Santa Cruz Evening News, June 2, 1924, p. 3)
In 1924, a large number of Rispin's Capitola properties were put up for auction. To attract bidders, a drawing was held for a variety of prizes. The grand prize was a Chevrolet automobile. It was won by Mr. Edward Robinson of San Jose. Coincidently, Robinson’s wife (listed only as “Mrs. Robinson”) won a fine rug “while all the other women looked on with envy.” (See Santa Cruz Evening News, June 2, 1924, p. 3)
Famed Actor Sold Real Estate
Before Walter Brennan went into acting (eventually winning two academy awards), he sold real estate. Brennan had been a very successful real estate salesman in Los Angeles, and Rispin recruited him in 1922 to sell real estate in Capitola. His name appears in the county voter registration list for 1922. In the 1960s, Capitola old-timers still recalled him working here. A “Mrs. Lewis” said she remembered Brennan well and that her husband sold him a Dodge roadster to drive back to Los Angeles. According to the same account, Brennan and his wife and son rented an apartment over a garage on Central Avenue. (Central County News, May 21, 1969)
Before Walter Brennan went into acting (eventually winning two academy awards), he sold real estate. Brennan had been a very successful real estate salesman in Los Angeles, and Rispin recruited him in 1922 to sell real estate in Capitola. His name appears in the county voter registration list for 1922. In the 1960s, Capitola old-timers still recalled him working here. A “Mrs. Lewis” said she remembered Brennan well and that her husband sold him a Dodge roadster to drive back to Los Angeles. According to the same account, Brennan and his wife and son rented an apartment over a garage on Central Avenue. (Central County News, May 21, 1969)
Secluded Mansion Not Secluded Enough
The Rispin Mansion must have at first seemed like the perfect place for the Poor Clares to use as a monastery. Mansion architect George McCrea had also designed churches, and a long concrete wall separated the estate from the street. Faced with increased noise and distractions in Oakland, in 1941 the cloistered order of nuns moved into the empty Rispin estate. Alas, curiosity about Rispin and the famed mansion continued to lure the public to the site, snooping about the grounds and peeking in windows. By the early 1950s, the nuns were looking for an alternative location, and in 1956 they moved into a new location in Aptos. (See Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 17, 1940, p. 4 and January 19, 1941, p. 3)
The Rispin Mansion must have at first seemed like the perfect place for the Poor Clares to use as a monastery. Mansion architect George McCrea had also designed churches, and a long concrete wall separated the estate from the street. Faced with increased noise and distractions in Oakland, in 1941 the cloistered order of nuns moved into the empty Rispin estate. Alas, curiosity about Rispin and the famed mansion continued to lure the public to the site, snooping about the grounds and peeking in windows. By the early 1950s, the nuns were looking for an alternative location, and in 1956 they moved into a new location in Aptos. (See Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 17, 1940, p. 4 and January 19, 1941, p. 3)
Rispin Watchman Died on the Job
The Rispin Mansion was nearly completed when 53-year-old night watchman Allan McPherson died while on duty at the estate, February 20, 1921. “The body of McPherson, when found, was cold, and as far as can be ascertained, death must have occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday,” said the newspaper. McPherson was a native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, and was described as “most conscientious in the performance of his duties.” He had only lived in Capitola a short time. Coincidently, another Capitola watchman, Isaac Luttrell, died two weeks earlier. (See Santa Cruz Evening News, February 22, 1921, p. 5)
The Rispin Mansion was nearly completed when 53-year-old night watchman Allan McPherson died while on duty at the estate, February 20, 1921. “The body of McPherson, when found, was cold, and as far as can be ascertained, death must have occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday,” said the newspaper. McPherson was a native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, and was described as “most conscientious in the performance of his duties.” He had only lived in Capitola a short time. Coincidently, another Capitola watchman, Isaac Luttrell, died two weeks earlier. (See Santa Cruz Evening News, February 22, 1921, p. 5)
Flower Cared for Gardens
Beginning in 1922, Rispin’s gardener was Leo J. Flower. Flower was born in Wisconsin in 1888 and moved to California with his wife, Elizabeth, in 1913. Mr. Flower had a long career in the Santa Cruz area as a professional gardener. One of his later jobs was at the old Englewood Golf Course in Soquel. Flower died in Santa Cruz in 1964 at age 76. (See Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 29, 1960, p. 4 and June 28, 1964, p. 12)
Beginning in 1922, Rispin’s gardener was Leo J. Flower. Flower was born in Wisconsin in 1888 and moved to California with his wife, Elizabeth, in 1913. Mr. Flower had a long career in the Santa Cruz area as a professional gardener. One of his later jobs was at the old Englewood Golf Course in Soquel. Flower died in Santa Cruz in 1964 at age 76. (See Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 29, 1960, p. 4 and June 28, 1964, p. 12)
Rispin Sold Merry-Go-Round
In the spring of 1920, Capitola was undergoing a major overhaul. A number of unneeded items were put up for sale, including a merry-go-round, popcorn wagon, 80 wood stoves, an electrical generator, etc. A merry-go-round appears in later photographs, so at some point another one must have been purchased. This "FOR SALE" list from the Santa Cruz Evening News, April 8, 1920, provides a peek into the inner workings of resort operations at that time.
In the spring of 1920, Capitola was undergoing a major overhaul. A number of unneeded items were put up for sale, including a merry-go-round, popcorn wagon, 80 wood stoves, an electrical generator, etc. A merry-go-round appears in later photographs, so at some point another one must have been purchased. This "FOR SALE" list from the Santa Cruz Evening News, April 8, 1920, provides a peek into the inner workings of resort operations at that time.
Poultry Problems
Henry Rispin enjoyed keeping chickens and turkeys at his Capitola estate, but in 1926 faced the problem of maurauding dogs. In a November incident, dogs killed 15 turkeys and 15 chickens. Only two weeks later came a second attack in which two dogs killed 4 turkeys and 12 chickens. One of the dogs was killed, but the other escaped and returned a week later, killing more poultry. Rispin sued the supposed owner of the dog for $230.50. Judge Donald Younger awarded Rispin $130 plus court costs. ("Judge Younger Decides Case for Plaintiff," Santa Cruz Evening News, September 30, 1927, p. 3)
Had Famous Actor as Brother
Although not well known today, Annette Rispin's brother, Winfield Blake, was a famous stage performer in the late 1800s. His specialty was comic opera, and he performed in theaters throughout the United States and in other countries. In 1923 Blake and his wife, actress Maude Amber, visited the Rispins at their Capitola estate. By then they had retired from performing and ran a costume business in San Francisco. ("Well Known Theatrical Couple Visiting Here," Santa Cruz Evening News, June 6, 1923, p. 8.)
Although not well known today, Annette Rispin's brother, Winfield Blake, was a famous stage performer in the late 1800s. His specialty was comic opera, and he performed in theaters throughout the United States and in other countries. In 1923 Blake and his wife, actress Maude Amber, visited the Rispins at their Capitola estate. By then they had retired from performing and ran a costume business in San Francisco. ("Well Known Theatrical Couple Visiting Here," Santa Cruz Evening News, June 6, 1923, p. 8.)