The Crocker family was a wealthy American family based in California. Its fortune was primarily built in the railroad industry under Charles Crocker. In addition to his large holdings in railroads, Charles also invested extensively in real estate, hotels and banks. Following his death in 1888, Crocker left his family an inheritance estimated to be worth between $20-40 million at the time.
| Crocker family | |
|---|---|
| Current region | California, U.S. |
| Place of origin | England |
| Founder | William Crocker |
| Connected families | |
| Estate | Crocker-McMillin Mansion |
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History
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (May 2026) |
Charles Crocker
editThe Crocker family's fortune was originally earned by Charles Crocker, an industrialist in the late 19th century. During the 1860s, Crocker joined a team of wealthy investors (i.e. the "Big Four") in overseeing the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad which was successfully completed in 1869. Later, in 1879, Crocker purchased control of the Southern Pacific Railroad. [1] By 1884, he oversaw the merger of both railroads, thereby giving rise to one of the largest railway systems in the Western United States.[2]
Notwithstanding his extensive railroad empire, Charles Crocker's holdings were not limited to railways. In 1886, he took part in the incorporation of the Crocker Woolworth National Bank,[3] a financial institution which ultimately grew to become the 14th-largest bank in the United States.[4] Crocker also owned large stakes in the Del Monte Hotel and real estate.[5]
At the time of Charles Crocker's death in 1888, his estate is estimated to have been worth between $20-40 million.[6] According to Business Insider, this amount would be equivalent to at least $400 million in 2012.[7]
Members
edit- William Crocker (b.1615)
- John Crocker (1637-1711)
- James Crocker (1699-1785)
- Levi Crocker (b.1728)
- Isaac Crocker (1781–1856)
- Edwin Bryant Crocker (1818–1875)
- Mary Norton Crocker (1846-1923)
- Kate Eugenie Crocker (1854–74)
- Nellie Margaret Crocker (1856–79)
- Jennie Louise Crocker (1860–1939)
- Aimée Isabella Crocker (1864–1941)
- Charles Crocker (1822-1888)
- Charles Frederick Crocker (1854-1897)
- Mary Crocker (1881–1905)
- Charles Templeton Crocker (1884–1948)
- Jennie Adeline Crocker (1887–1974)
- George Crocker (1856-1909)
- Francis Crocker (1858-1862)
- Harriet Valentine Crocker (1859-1935)
- Harriet Crocker Alexander (1888–1972)
- Janetta Alexander (1890–1973)
- Mary Crocker Alexander (1895–1986)
- Charles Frederick Crocker (1854-1897)
- Clarke Crocker (1827-1890)
- Henry J. Crocker (1861–1912)
- Henry Joseph Crocker II (1893-1958)
- Henry J. Crocker (1861–1912)
- Henry Smith Crocker (January 31, 1832 - July 18, 1904), a San Francisco publisher of maps[8] and city directories, and a railroad investor [9]
- Edwin Bryant Crocker (1818–1875)
- Isaac Crocker (1781–1856)
- Levi Crocker (b.1728)
- James Crocker (1699-1785)
- John Crocker (1637-1711)
Businesses
editThe following is a list of businesses in which the Crocker family have held a controlling or otherwise significant interest.
- Central Pacific Railroad
- Crocker Land Company[10]
- Crocker National Bank
- Gila Valley, Globe and Northern Railway
- Hotel Del Monte
- Oregon and California Railroad
- San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway
- San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad
- Santa Rosa and Carquinez Railroad
- Southern Pacific Railroad
- St. Francis Hotel
- Texas and New Orleans Railroad
- Wells Fargo (1852–1998)
- The West Side Flume & Lumber Company[11]
References
edit- ↑ Burns, Adam (25 January 2024). "Charles Crocker: Railroad, Robber Baron, Net Worth". American-Rails.com. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ↑ Joy, Mark S. (2023). "Charles Crocker". EBSCO.com. EBSCO Information Services. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ Cross, Ira B. (1927). Financing an Empire: History of Banking in California. Vol. 1. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. p. 489.
- ↑ Bennett, Robert A. (15 July 1980). "British Agree to Buy Crocker Bank; British Bank Agrees To Buy Crocker National". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ Hart, James D. (1987). A Companion to California. University of California Press. p. 118. ISBN 0-520-05543-8. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ Joy, Mark S. (2023). "Charles Crocker". EBSCO.com. EBSCO Information Services. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Lubin, Gus; Wile, Rob; Kelly, Michael B. (20 March 2012). "Meet The 24 Robber Barons Who Once Ruled America". businessinsider.com. Axel Springer SE. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ "Crocker, Henry Smith (January 31, 1832 - July 18, 1904):". Geographicus Rare Antique Maps. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ "H.S. Crocker Co. Publishing, San Francisco, CA". Southwest Harbor Public Library. Southwest Harbor, Maine. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ Recovery Plan for the San Bruno Elfin and Mission Blue Butterflies (Report). Portland,OR: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 10 October 1984. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ↑ The West Side Lumber Company. pacificng.com, 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
Other Sources
edit- Henderson, Alan (21 October 2010). "Crocker Family Tree Banner, 2010". San Mateo County Historical Association. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
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