The third hydroelectric power plant in California, built by Fred Swanton, local promoter and founder of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, began operations on this site in March 1896. In the plant's final configuration, water from Big Creek, Boyer Creek, and Mill Creek flowed through more than five miles of redwood flumes to a reservoir and penstock 925 feet above the power house, then down through a 22 inch pressure pipe that turned three Pelton water wheels. Depending on the season and available water, up to 1100 kilowatts of electricity was sent 18 miles to Santa Cruz. Big Creek Water Company became Big Creek Light and Power Company and in 1912 merged with other power companies to form Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company. The plant remained profitable until a large forest fire destroyed the flumes in September 1948, and it was scrapped in the early 1950s.