Fletcher, Colonel Edward Houlton "Ed" B. December 31, 1872 Littleton Massachusetts D. October 15, 1955 San Diego, California. Real Estate County Developer, and Road Builder. Appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the California National Guard in 1907. Both U.S. Republican and Democratic politician 1934-1947.
The son of Charles Kimball and Anna Holton Fletcher. His mother died when he was 4 years old. His father kept the family together for five years, but finally had no choice but to place the children in foster homes. He was just 16 years old in 1888 when Ed took his savings of $126.50 and moved to San Diego to live with his sister Cora "Bess" Fletcher, who had settled there following her marriage to Jarvis Doyle. By the 1920s Ed Fletcher had become one of the most influential men in the county. His financial success resulted in large part from his understanding of the importance of water and highway development for urban expansion in Southern California.
He entered the real estate business as a land agent, and started a partnership in 1908 with William Gross. Together they developed most of the major areas of San Diego County. This partnership developed Grossmont, Mt. Helix, and Del Mar. A generous man, Fletcher, donated land on Mt. Helix where Easter Sunrise services are held. Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, Fletcher Hills in El Cajon, and the Fletcher Chimes of Hardy Memorial Tower at San Diego State University are all namesakes for Fletcher.
As the director in the 1915-16 Exposition in Balboa Park his leadership was instrumental in raising finances that saved the Exposition buildings from destruction in 1917; the next exposition was held in 1935-36 these building still stand today.
Colonel Ed Fletcher was part of the Finance Committee which raised the necessary funds to acquire the lands to be given the U. S. Government for a Naval Training Station. Known as NTC is located in Point Loma. This same base was decommissioned in 1995.
With his boundless energy his other endeavors include working on the Finance Committee which made possible the building of the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A. and for years was an active part of this organization. It's noted that he planned and was first president of the San Diego Club.
In 1907 was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of California. During his eleven years he built a new armory for Company "B" and has always been active in civic development.
With Fred Jackson, Fletcher raised civic interest and built a plank road across the desert from Mountain Springs through San Diego Canyon to the floor of Imperial Valley ending in Yuma Arizona. He continued his development passion having both State and U.S. Highways built throughout San Diego. Many roadways are also names after both Fletcher and Jackson.
As the prime mover behind numerous dam and aqueduct projects he promoted the irrigation of large segments of inland and coastal areas, including the El Cajon valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.
Fletcher was elected to the California State Senate serving from 1934 until 1947. He served both as a Republican and a Democrat. He set into action laws creating the San Diego County Water Authority that transferred ownership of Mission Bay to the city.
This is just a summary of a few projects he completed in his lifetime. His life history can be found in "Memoirs of Ed Fletcher", 750 pages long, published in 1952.
His Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren continued with is passion for the development of San Diego and the sustained well-being of his beloved city.
Parents:
Charles Kimball Fletcher 1837 – 1924
Anna Waterson Holton Fletcher 1842 – 1877
Spouse:
Mary Catherine Batchelder 1876 – 1958
Marriage Date: April 8, 1896
in Ayer, Massachusetts.
They had ten children together:
Katherine H Fletcher Taylor 1897 -
Edward Fletcher Jr. 1900 – 1996
Congressman Charles Kimball Fletcher
1903 – 1985
Lawrence S Fletcher 1905 – 1964
Willis H Fletcher 1908 – 2000
Stephen G Fletcher 1909 – 1992
Ferdinand T Fletcher 1911 – 2005
Mary Louise Fletcher Mack 1912 – 2011
Eugene B Fletcher 1914 – 1980
Virginia Fletcher
The son of Charles Kimball and Anna Holton Fletcher. His mother died when he was 4 years old. His father kept the family together for five years, but finally had no choice but to place the children in foster homes. He was just 16 years old in 1888 when Ed took his savings of $126.50 and moved to San Diego to live with his sister Cora "Bess" Fletcher, who had settled there following her marriage to Jarvis Doyle. By the 1920s Ed Fletcher had become one of the most influential men in the county. His financial success resulted in large part from his understanding of the importance of water and highway development for urban expansion in Southern California.
He entered the real estate business as a land agent, and started a partnership in 1908 with William Gross. Together they developed most of the major areas of San Diego County. This partnership developed Grossmont, Mt. Helix, and Del Mar. A generous man, Fletcher, donated land on Mt. Helix where Easter Sunrise services are held. Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, Fletcher Hills in El Cajon, and the Fletcher Chimes of Hardy Memorial Tower at San Diego State University are all namesakes for Fletcher.
As the director in the 1915-16 Exposition in Balboa Park his leadership was instrumental in raising finances that saved the Exposition buildings from destruction in 1917; the next exposition was held in 1935-36 these building still stand today.
Colonel Ed Fletcher was part of the Finance Committee which raised the necessary funds to acquire the lands to be given the U. S. Government for a Naval Training Station. Known as NTC is located in Point Loma. This same base was decommissioned in 1995.
With his boundless energy his other endeavors include working on the Finance Committee which made possible the building of the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A. and for years was an active part of this organization. It's noted that he planned and was first president of the San Diego Club.
In 1907 was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of California. During his eleven years he built a new armory for Company "B" and has always been active in civic development.
With Fred Jackson, Fletcher raised civic interest and built a plank road across the desert from Mountain Springs through San Diego Canyon to the floor of Imperial Valley ending in Yuma Arizona. He continued his development passion having both State and U.S. Highways built throughout San Diego. Many roadways are also names after both Fletcher and Jackson.
As the prime mover behind numerous dam and aqueduct projects he promoted the irrigation of large segments of inland and coastal areas, including the El Cajon valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.
Fletcher was elected to the California State Senate serving from 1934 until 1947. He served both as a Republican and a Democrat. He set into action laws creating the San Diego County Water Authority that transferred ownership of Mission Bay to the city.
This is just a summary of a few projects he completed in his lifetime. His life history can be found in "Memoirs of Ed Fletcher", 750 pages long, published in 1952.
His Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren continued with is passion for the development of San Diego and the sustained well-being of his beloved city.
Parents:
Charles Kimball Fletcher 1837 – 1924
Anna Waterson Holton Fletcher 1842 – 1877
Spouse:
Mary Catherine Batchelder 1876 – 1958
Marriage Date: April 8, 1896
in Ayer, Massachusetts.
They had ten children together:
Katherine H Fletcher Taylor 1897 -
Edward Fletcher Jr. 1900 – 1996
Congressman Charles Kimball Fletcher
1903 – 1985
Lawrence S Fletcher 1905 – 1964
Willis H Fletcher 1908 – 2000
Stephen G Fletcher 1909 – 1992
Ferdinand T Fletcher 1911 – 2005
Mary Louise Fletcher Mack 1912 – 2011
Eugene B Fletcher 1914 – 1980
Virginia Fletcher
Fletcher, Colonel Edward Houlton "Ed" B. December 31, 1872 Littleton Massachusetts D. October 15, 1955 San Diego, California. Real Estate County Developer, and Road Builder. Appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the California National Guard in 1907. Both U.S. Republican and Democratic politician 1934-1947.
The son of Charles Kimball and Anna Holton Fletcher. His mother died when he was 4 years old. His father kept the family together for five years, but finally had no choice but to place the children in foster homes. He was just 16 years old in 1888 when Ed took his savings of $126.50 and moved to San Diego to live with his sister Cora "Bess" Fletcher, who had settled there following her marriage to Jarvis Doyle. By the 1920s Ed Fletcher had become one of the most influential men in the county. His financial success resulted in large part from his understanding of the importance of water and highway development for urban expansion in Southern California.
He entered the real estate business as a land agent, and started a partnership in 1908 with William Gross. Together they developed most of the major areas of San Diego County. This partnership developed Grossmont, Mt. Helix, and Del Mar. A generous man, Fletcher, donated land on Mt. Helix where Easter Sunrise services are held. Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, Fletcher Hills in El Cajon, and the Fletcher Chimes of Hardy Memorial Tower at San Diego State University are all namesakes for Fletcher.
As the director in the 1915-16 Exposition in Balboa Park his leadership was instrumental in raising finances that saved the Exposition buildings from destruction in 1917; the next exposition was held in 1935-36 these building still stand today.
Colonel Ed Fletcher was part of the Finance Committee which raised the necessary funds to acquire the lands to be given the U. S. Government for a Naval Training Station. Known as NTC is located in Point Loma. This same base was decommissioned in 1995.
With his boundless energy his other endeavors include working on the Finance Committee which made possible the building of the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A. and for years was an active part of this organization. It's noted that he planned and was first president of the San Diego Club.
In 1907 was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of California. During his eleven years he built a new armory for Company "B" and has always been active in civic development.
With Fred Jackson, Fletcher raised civic interest and built a plank road across the desert from Mountain Springs through San Diego Canyon to the floor of Imperial Valley ending in Yuma Arizona. He continued his development passion having both State and U.S. Highways built throughout San Diego. Many roadways are also names after both Fletcher and Jackson.
As the prime mover behind numerous dam and aqueduct projects he promoted the irrigation of large segments of inland and coastal areas, including the El Cajon valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.
Fletcher was elected to the California State Senate serving from 1934 until 1947. He served both as a Republican and a Democrat. He set into action laws creating the San Diego County Water Authority that transferred ownership of Mission Bay to the city.
This is just a summary of a few projects he completed in his lifetime. His life history can be found in "Memoirs of Ed Fletcher", 750 pages long, published in 1952.
His Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren continued with is passion for the development of San Diego and the sustained well-being of his beloved city.
Parents:
Charles Kimball Fletcher 1837 – 1924
Anna Waterson Holton Fletcher 1842 – 1877
Spouse:
Mary Catherine Batchelder 1876 – 1958
Marriage Date: April 8, 1896
in Ayer, Massachusetts.
They had ten children together:
Katherine H Fletcher Taylor 1897 -
Edward Fletcher Jr. 1900 – 1996
Congressman Charles Kimball Fletcher
1903 – 1985
Lawrence S Fletcher 1905 – 1964
Willis H Fletcher 1908 – 2000
Stephen G Fletcher 1909 – 1992
Ferdinand T Fletcher 1911 – 2005
Mary Louise Fletcher Mack 1912 – 2011
Eugene B Fletcher 1914 – 1980
Virginia Fletcher
The son of Charles Kimball and Anna Holton Fletcher. His mother died when he was 4 years old. His father kept the family together for five years, but finally had no choice but to place the children in foster homes. He was just 16 years old in 1888 when Ed took his savings of $126.50 and moved to San Diego to live with his sister Cora "Bess" Fletcher, who had settled there following her marriage to Jarvis Doyle. By the 1920s Ed Fletcher had become one of the most influential men in the county. His financial success resulted in large part from his understanding of the importance of water and highway development for urban expansion in Southern California.
He entered the real estate business as a land agent, and started a partnership in 1908 with William Gross. Together they developed most of the major areas of San Diego County. This partnership developed Grossmont, Mt. Helix, and Del Mar. A generous man, Fletcher, donated land on Mt. Helix where Easter Sunrise services are held. Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, Fletcher Hills in El Cajon, and the Fletcher Chimes of Hardy Memorial Tower at San Diego State University are all namesakes for Fletcher.
As the director in the 1915-16 Exposition in Balboa Park his leadership was instrumental in raising finances that saved the Exposition buildings from destruction in 1917; the next exposition was held in 1935-36 these building still stand today.
Colonel Ed Fletcher was part of the Finance Committee which raised the necessary funds to acquire the lands to be given the U. S. Government for a Naval Training Station. Known as NTC is located in Point Loma. This same base was decommissioned in 1995.
With his boundless energy his other endeavors include working on the Finance Committee which made possible the building of the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A. and for years was an active part of this organization. It's noted that he planned and was first president of the San Diego Club.
In 1907 was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of California. During his eleven years he built a new armory for Company "B" and has always been active in civic development.
With Fred Jackson, Fletcher raised civic interest and built a plank road across the desert from Mountain Springs through San Diego Canyon to the floor of Imperial Valley ending in Yuma Arizona. He continued his development passion having both State and U.S. Highways built throughout San Diego. Many roadways are also names after both Fletcher and Jackson.
As the prime mover behind numerous dam and aqueduct projects he promoted the irrigation of large segments of inland and coastal areas, including the El Cajon valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, and Del Mar.
Fletcher was elected to the California State Senate serving from 1934 until 1947. He served both as a Republican and a Democrat. He set into action laws creating the San Diego County Water Authority that transferred ownership of Mission Bay to the city.
This is just a summary of a few projects he completed in his lifetime. His life history can be found in "Memoirs of Ed Fletcher", 750 pages long, published in 1952.
His Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren continued with is passion for the development of San Diego and the sustained well-being of his beloved city.
Parents:
Charles Kimball Fletcher 1837 – 1924
Anna Waterson Holton Fletcher 1842 – 1877
Spouse:
Mary Catherine Batchelder 1876 – 1958
Marriage Date: April 8, 1896
in Ayer, Massachusetts.
They had ten children together:
Katherine H Fletcher Taylor 1897 -
Edward Fletcher Jr. 1900 – 1996
Congressman Charles Kimball Fletcher
1903 – 1985
Lawrence S Fletcher 1905 – 1964
Willis H Fletcher 1908 – 2000
Stephen G Fletcher 1909 – 1992
Ferdinand T Fletcher 1911 – 2005
Mary Louise Fletcher Mack 1912 – 2011
Eugene B Fletcher 1914 – 1980
Virginia Fletcher
Gravesite Details
has a cenotaph at the Westlawn Cemetery in Littleton, Massachusetts where his parents are buried
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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Catherine Fletcher Taylor
1897–1976
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Edward "Ed" Fletcher Jr
1900–1996
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Charles Kimball Fletcher
1902–1985
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Lawrence Salmons Fletcher
1905–1964
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Willis Hard "Wig" Fletcher
1908–2000
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Stephen Gilmore Fletcher
1909–1992
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Ferdinand Thum "Ferd" Fletcher
1911–2005
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Mary Louise Fletcher Mack Glanz
1912–2011
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COL Eugene Batchelder Fletcher
1914–1980
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Virginia Fletcher Hawk Church
1919–2005
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