Granville P. Swift

Who was Granville P. Swift?

Granville Perry Swift was a California pioneer who participated in the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846 and who was highly successful at gold mining. His great-uncle was Daniel Boone.

He came to California at the age of 19 in 1840. Records indicate he was active in the Sacramento Valley, hunting and trading rawhide and furs. During the rebellion of the Californios in 1844–45, Governor Manuel Micheltorena asked John Sutter to form a troop of riflemen, of which Swift was one.

By 1846, however, Swift would later favor independence from Mexico. He was one of thirty-three Americans who captured the town of Sonoma. He was elected sergeant of the party and even helped design the Bear Flag.

He served until the spring of 1847, after which time he settled in Colusi County, where he ran an extensive cattle operation. It was during this time that he constructed a corral made of flat stones, as there was no timber in the surrounding country. This corral, still standing, became known as Swift's Stone Corral and is now registered as California Historical Landmark #238. In addition, his adobe from the ranch is registered as CHL #345.