By Dwight Miller
I began this month’s article intending to tell the story of the Merrymans — father and son — and their influence on Exeter in the early 1900s. But I quickly realized that their story cannot be told without first introducing the man who brought them here: George Frost.
The Man Who Started It All
George Thomas Frost (1854–1904) was an intriguing character. He was described by contemporaries as:
“A cultured gentleman who made many friends…”
“A jovial, dapper, little Southern California promoter — the father of Exeter’s citrus industry.”
But who was he, really?
Born in Michigan a few years before the Civil War, Frost came of age during Reconstruction. He eventually moved with his family to Riverside, California, where he was inspired by the region’s booming agricultural economy. His father, George E. Frost, served as a County Trustee (essentially a Supervisor) and was one of Riverside’s most prominent citizens from the 1890s until his death in 1920.
The younger George launched a nursery business around 1890, raising seedlings for Southern California’s expanding agricultural markets. At the time, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino counties ranked among the most productive agricultural regions in the nation.
A Gamble on Tulare County
Seeking new opportunities to sell his orange stock, Frost traveled north to Tulare County and struck a deal with the Pioneer Land Company in Porterville. He agreed to plant 100 acres of oranges, tend them for two years, and then either purchase the land or repay the company. The results were excellent. Encouraged by his success, he planted another 75 acres. Within a few years, his oranges were winning medals at Southern California citrus fairs, and Frost began scouting foothill properties for additional citrus ventures.
Many believed citrus couldn’t thrive in the area because of winter frosts, but George Frost was willing to gamble. He soon discovered that Porterville oranges could be harvested and shipped earlier than fruit from Southern California. By shipping trainloads of oranges east in the fall, he reached Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and the eastern seaboard before Thanksgiving — and earned premium prices.
Connecting Wisconsin and California
During his time in Porterville, Frost met Harry Hathaway, a fellow Wisconsin native whose sister, Agnes Hathaway, had recently married R.C. Merryman of Marinette, Wisconsin. That connection proved pivotal. Hathaway introduced Frost to his new brother-in-law, convincing the Merrymans that investing in Tulare County agriculture could be highly profitable.
The Panic of 1893 and the ensuing depression had devastated other commodity markets, and R.C. Merryman realized that citrus might be the perfect hedge against the downturn. His father, A.C. Merryman, had already amassed a fortune in the timber industry, owning sawmills and vast tracts of land across multiple states. The elder Merryman was ready to invest — and California offered the perfect opportunity.
The Birth of Bonnie Brae Ranch
By September 1895, Frost’s experiments were paying off handsomely. His Tulare County navels sold for $4 a box, compared to just $1.50 for his Riverside crop. Seedlings that sold for 20 cents in Riverside brought $2.50 in Tulare County. Convinced of the region’s potential, Frost expanded his operations.
In February 1896, he purchased 320 acres north and east of Exeter, near the base of what would soon be called Badger Hill. He ordered 35,000 feet of lumber to build flumes carrying Kaweah River water to his land and planted 30 acres of lemons and 220 acres of navels. The Merrymans became the lead investors, joined by several Wisconsin associates and Exeter farmer Martin Wirht. Frost named the ranch “Bonnie Brae” — Gaelic for “Beautiful Hill.”
Building a Community
A packing house soon followed on West Pine Street, near the Southern Pacific railroad tracks — the present site of Exeter Engineering. During the harvest rush, workers packed citrus day and night to meet the eastern holiday market.
By 1900, Frost’s health was failing, but he continued to work tirelessly, building an adobe house at the base of the hill while promoting Tulare County citrus. He diversified his plantings to include lemons, grapes, and figs. By early 1903, he had slowed considerably, and in November 1904 — just 50 years old — George Frost passed away.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
The Bonnie Brae ranch employed dozens of workers who needed homes, stores, and services. As families settled nearby, Exeter evolved from a mere train stop into a thriving community. Lumber yards, grocery stores, barbershops, hardware stores, and medical offices sprang up to meet the growing population’s needs.
George Frost’s vision — recognizing Exeter’s unique combination of climate, water, rail access, and industrious people— laid the foundation for a century of prosperity. His pioneering spirit and promotional drive arguably had the most significant impact on shaping Exeter into the vibrant foothill community it remains today. Next month I’ll continue with the Merryman’s and their impact.