Huntington Beach, California - among many other places - is named for this "old money" family that held a great empire of that would have be worth anywhere from $30-$50 billion in today's dollars.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:11 Chapter 1: The Happy Huntingtons
3:25 Chapter 2: The Origins of The Huntingtons
6:48 Chapter 3: King Collis
10:47 Chapter 4: The Personal Lives
14:54 Chapter 5: The Next Generation - The Life of Henry E. Huntington
17:39 Chapter 6: The Later Huntingtons
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The Huntington family's wealth, in its prime, was beyond comprehension for the average individual.
Estimated to be worth between thirty to fifty billion dollars today, their fortune was built through the creation of two railroad companies that revolutionized state-to-state travel in the United States and deeply lined the family’s pockets.
Beyond monetary value, the Huntington legacy is cemented in numerous locations bearing their name, from Huntington Beach, California, to Huntington House in New York City, and Huntington State Park in Connecticut.
The name Huntington is engraved across America, marking buildings, park benches, and university books.
This illustrious “old money” family also wielded political influence that cannot be quantified. Collis P. Huntington, the empire's founder, influenced Congressional decisions in the nineteenth century, bending politicians to his will.
This financial abundance and authority afforded the Huntingtons a life of luxury, with stately houses in England, a multi-million-dollar art collection, and mansions across Ohio, New York, and a guest-filled ranch. But how did they amass such wealth?
The Huntington story begins in seventeenth-century England.
The name Huntington originated in Northern England, given to those living in the Huntington area.
The family patriarch, Simon Huntington, ventured to America in 1633, seeking prosperity. Tragically, Simon died during the journey, leaving his pregnant wife to keep the Huntington flame alive.
She eventually arrived in modern-day Boston, and subsequent generations relocated to Harwinton, Connecticut, where Collis Potter Huntington was born on October 22, 1821.
Despite his forefathers' ambitions, Collis was born into a working-class life. The son of a farmer, Collis' early years were filled with farm chores and hard work.
However, even in his youth, Collis saw economic opportunities everywhere. He offered his manual labor skills to neighbors and worked as a door-to-door salesman, traveling as far as Virginia. In 1842, he and his brother set up a merchandise store, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.
The Gold Rush of 1848 lured Collis to California. Unlike others seeking gold, Collis sold mining supplies, partnering with Mark Hopkins, a key future ally.
This venture's success provided the financial resources for Collis' next big plan: a transcontinental railroad.
Teaming up with Leland Stanford and Charles Crocker, the “Big Four” created the Central Pacific Railroad Company in 1861. Collis also co-founded the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1865, connecting California to New Orleans.
Collis' railroads transformed California from an isolated region to a connected economic hub. The Big Four reaped immense financial rewards, and Collis diversified his investments, acquiring land companies, a steamship line, and an art collection worth millions.
His influence extended beyond business, shaping California's development and establishing his legacy as a powerful and influential figure.
Yet, the Huntingtons' personal lives were as dramatic as their rise to wealth.
Collis first married Elizabeth Stoddard in 1844, and after her death in 1884, he married Arabella Duval Yarrington, whom he had an affair with while married to Elizabeth.
Arabella's beauty and wit captivated Collis, and their marriage elevated her social standing. Upon Collis' death in 1900, Arabella married his nephew, Henry E. Huntington, further entwining the family dynamics.
Ultimately, the Huntington family's legacy is one of immense wealth, influence, and drama, with their contributions to American society and culture enduring to this day.
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