Charles Frederick Eaton 1842–1930
Born in 1842, Rhode Island native Charles Frederick Eaton was a notable figure in the California Arts & Crafts Movement, known for his work as an artist, landscape architect, and horticulturalist. Eaton initially trained as a painter in Paris. His promising career as an artist was cut short due to persistent arm cramps, leading him to shift his focus to furniture restoration and the creation of decorative objects like lamps, candlesticks, and bookends, working with materials such as metal, glass, and leather.
In the late 1880s, Eaton relocated with his wife, Helen Justice Mitchell, and their daughter, Elizabeth, to Montecito near Santa Barbara, California, seeking a healthier environment for Elizabeth, who had health issues. There, Eaton trained his daughter as an artist, and she would later gain recognition as Elizabeth Eaton Burton, a key figure in the Southern California Arts & Crafts Movement. The father-daughter duo showcased their work at significant exhibitions, including the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
A passionate gardener, Charles Frederick Eaton transformed his Montecito estate, Riso Rivo, into a celebrated landscape, planting a wide array of native and non-native trees. He was particularly known for promoting the use of trees with strong vertical forms, such as palms and cypresses, to complement the natural California landscape. His work in landscape architecture garnered national attention, especially the Japanese-inspired lotus pond and floating teahouse at Riso Rivo.
Eaton was also instrumental in introducing new plant species to California. In 1893, alongside renowned horticulturist Francesco Franceschi, he co-founded the Southern California Acclimatizing Association, which focused on testing and acclimating various plant species to the region's Mediterranean climate. Although their partnership lasted only two years, the work of Eaton and Franceschi had a lasting impact on California horticulture. In addition to his contributions to landscape architecture, Eaton founded the Santa Barbara Floral Festival and advocated for the planting of trees along city streets. His decorative work, often crafted from copper and brass with embellishments like leather and shells, became popular among wealthy tourists, and while much of it remains unsigned, it is recognized for its fine craftsmanship and design.
Eaton passed away in Santa Barbara in 1930, leaving behind a legacy that influenced both the Arts & Crafts movement and the landscape of Southern California. His daughter, Elizabeth, carried on his artistic vision, becoming a prominent Arts & Crafts maker in her own right.
