Local History Archives - San Lorenzo Valley Post

The Changing Faces of Felton’s Toll House Resort

February 6, 2025February 11, 2025 slvpost.com

By Ronnie Trubek An 1867 toll house and general store for the Santa Cruz/Boulder Creek stagecoach line on Highway 9 in Felton has gone through many changes. One of the few buildings remaining from the early mining and lumbering days, this iconic property is considered a gateway to the San Lorenzo Valley and claims to be the last known standing… Read More

Columns Local History

Filling Stations in Ben Lomond | Local History

January 6, 2025January 19, 2025 slvpost.comben lomond, filling stations, history, san lorenzo valley0 comment

By Ronnie Trubek Gasoline powered automobiles became popular in the 1920s as motorists enjoyed a new sense of mobility and adventure. In the early days, travel required careful planning, and gassing up was always a priority. Initially, gasoline had to be obtained at “bulk depots” where fuel was provided in cans or other containers. Later, a horse-drawn wagon loaded up… Read More

Columns History Local History

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

December 26, 2024January 7, 2025 slvpost.comatomic vault, Santa Cruz Mountains, Zayante, zayante tunnel0 comment

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

Local History Local News Main Street

Volunteers Revitalize Iconic Ben Lomond Sign

December 19, 2024January 2, 2025 Blake Holiday

by Blake Holiday In November, the town of Ben Lomond witnessed the culmination of a heartfelt community effort as the newly-refurbished “Welcome to Ben Lomond” sign was unveiled and reinstalled on Highway 9, near the entrance of Highlands Park. This cherished marker, originally erected in the 1960s has long been a symbol of local pride and nostalgia. Thanks to the… Read More

History Local History Local News

Brookdale Post Office

December 13, 2024December 26, 2024 slvpost.com

By Ronnie Trubek By the turn of the 20th Century, the “Logan Camp” picnic and campgrounds at Clear Creek in Brookdale had established a fine reputation. Owner Judge James Logan, inventor of the hybrid loganberry, built his home, “The Cascades” on Main Street, later known as County Road. His former partner, Freeland Grover, resided directly across the road, in the… Read More

Columns History Local History

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

September 16, 2024October 4, 2024 Lisa Robinson

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

Columns History Local History

The Grandmother Tree

September 15, 2024October 4, 2024 Lisa Robinson

By Lisa Robinson In 1902, the Santa Cruz Sentinel re-published a rather confusing story from the San Jose Mercury. A San Jose butcher, Charles A. Thompson, hung a side of meat in his shop and to it attached a sign saying “Bear.” To Charles Wampach, who was credited with “knowing as much about grizzlies and their kind as any man… Read More

Community History Local History Local News

Felton Acres Turns 100

July 30, 2024August 10, 2024 slvpost.com0 comment

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

Columns History Local History

Ben Lomond’s Senator Harry Hamden

April 14, 2024December 26, 2024 slvpost.comben lomond, history0 comment

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

Books History Local History Local News

All Aboard the Laurel and Glenwood Line

October 3, 2023December 26, 2024 slvpost.comglenwood line, laurel line0 comment

Historian Derek Whaley Celebrates New Book By Julie Horner Sidetracked: Laurel and Glenwood, by Derek R. Whaley, PhD is the third in the Santa Cruz Trains series of authoritative books about the history of Santa Cruz area trains, tracks, tunnels, stations and stops. Released in March 2023, the 127-page softbound volume brings the colorful lore of the ridgetop railways of… Read More