According to Rapp family members the house was built by Colonel Slaughter. After some online research it was most likely built by Jerome Francis Basset. Family history of Jerome mentions that he build several houses in the Skyland area and one was for Colonel Thomas Slaughter.
From page 6 of document linked below
“Bassett is a skilled carpenter and built a number of the fine homes in this district, which are still standing. He built homes for Prof. C.H. Allen of the San Jose State College, one for Colonel Thomas Slaughter, C.R. Stetson, A. C. Crane, now owned by one of the Rapp brothers.”
PDF downloaded 9/25/2024 from https://www.bassettbranches.org/newsletters/2021/04/202104.pdf
According to Rapp family house was built in 1885. This is also supported by article in Santa Cruz Sentinel from March 1885. “Colonel Slaughter contemplates great improvments the present season. A new house is reported as a part of the programme.”
One mention of colonel Thomas Slaughter from 1890. Pajaronian is a newspaper from Watsonville Page 9
https://archives.santacruzmah.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/S.pdf
Santa Cruz history book from 1879. Found at History of Santa Cruz
Maybe same Thomas Slaughter (Thomas Smith Slaughter)
another mention of Thomas Slaughter
download from attacked by savage bull see column 2 at the bottom. Title Attacked by Savage Bull
Read more: Building history
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