San Francisco County

Biographies

SETH BABSON

Seth Babson, of San Francisco, one of the oldest architects on the Pacific coast, is a native of Maine and was reared in Massachusetts. Upon the discovery of gold in California he came via Cape Horn, and arrived here in April, 1850. Two months after arrival he went to Sacramento and opened an office and engaged as architect and for more than a quarter of a century held a leading position in his profession. After the floods in Sacramento he took a prominent part in the methods adopted in bulkheading the levee and for protection of the city. He designed and erected many of the most notable buildings in the city—the residences of Governor Stanford, Charles Crocker, and Judge C. B. Crocker, the Crocker Art Gallery and many others. In 1875 he removed to San Francisco and opened an office, and since then for the past fifteen years he has resided there, although he still does a large amount of work in Sacramento. He has been actively identified with the architectural and building interests of this State for over forty years, and enjoys an enviable reputation in his profession, being one of the most prominent architects on the Pacific coast. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. in early days; also a prominent member and support of the Sons of Temperance, being one of the original members of that organization.

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, page 139, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

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San Francisco County

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