Western States Automic Vault Columns History Local History 

A Mid-Century “Atomic” Vault in the Santa Cruz Mountains

By Ronnie Trubek In 1953, the Zayante Southern Pacific Railroad tunnel was purchased by the Western States Atomic Vault Corporation, touted for use as a storage place for vital documents and other priceless valuables in case of nuclear attacks. The Southern Pacific train route that ran through the tunnel had been abandoned since November 1940. But, the Zayante tunnel remained… Read More
Stribling mine Columns History Local History 

Gold Fever: Untold stories of the Califonia and Santa Cruz Gold Rushes

by Lisa Robison In 1853, Dr. John Boardman Trask, California’s state mineralogist, embarked on his second geological survey of the state, this time with a focus on the coastal counties and parts of the Sierra Nevada “embracing their resources in agriculture and mining.” He surveyed Santa Cruz County sometime between June 23 and October that year.  He noted that four… Read More
Felton Acres San Lorenzo Valley Community History Local History Local News 

Felton Acres Turns 100

Contributed On Sunday, June 9, 2024 neighbors from the Felton Acres subdivision in the Santa Cruz Mountains gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the neighborhood’s inception. Two Blue Plaques were received from the Museum of Art and History (MAH); one for the Felton Acres Resort Ticket Booth, the other for the Felton Acres Resort Community. Event co-hosts Nate &… Read More
LOGGING ARCH History Local News 

Logging History Revealed: Track-Laid Log Arch Discovered in the Santa Cruz Mountains

By Julie Horner “The glory days of the lumber mills are history,” Santa Cruz Mountains tree expert Bruce Baker said. “What the forest chooses to reveal to the random explorer is nobody’s business. It happens when it happens. Our role is to observe and protect.” When Bruce’s name appears in the caller ID, you pick up. There is always an… Read More
SLV Museum Clampers Community History Local News 

Clampers Support the SLV Museum

By Julie Horner San Lorenzo Valley Museum Collections and Exhibitions Curator Lisa A. Robinson and SLV Museum Executive Director Laura DeAngelis accepted a generous donation from members of E Clampus Vitus Branciforte Chapter 1797 in a ceremony at the museum on Wednesday afternoon, June 19, 2024. The donation came from the Clampers Association of Roisterous Peddlers (C.A.R.P.), a branch of… Read More
senator hamden ben lomond inn Columns History Local History 

Ben Lomond’s Senator Harry Hamden

By Ronnie Trubek Turn of the 20th century Ben Lomond didn’t offer much in the way of live entertainment so when the 400+ residents learned a minstrel show was to be held in the recently opened Park Hall Theater, anticipation ran high. Locals arrived to “witness the performance given by Senator Harry Hamden and his troupe of amateur minstrels, who… Read More