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 & Brianna Goodman noted, “On this day in history 100 years ago….our subdivision map was recorded at the County and Felton Acres came into being.”
Blue Plaque recipients are announced every year in May during National History Month. Founded by the Santa Cruz Historical Society in 1973, 150 honorary plaques have been “awarded to structures in Santa Cruz County that are at least 50 years old and hold historic significance.”
The MAH’s blue plaque program has pretty heavy representation in Santa Cruz proper, and the Committee is trying to expand into unincorporated areas and south county. However, there is a misconception that recipients of plaques can somehow become entangled in bureaucracy with city or county historic preservation regulations. The MAH program is purely honorary – while any of the structures that are already on county or city historic building surveys are eligible to apply for a blue plaque, being awarded one doesn’t affect that status if the structure isn’t already listed. In Felton Acres, neighbors were happy and willing to chip in $20 each to fund the $400 cost for the two plaques.
The original subdivision maps for the neighborhood were recorded with the county on June 7, 1924. So a birthday party was in order. The two plaques, photos of the neighborhood from the 20s-50s, and copies of the original parcel maps were displayed. Two neighbors grew up in Felton Acres back when it was still mostly summer homes and the pool and lakes were still around. They attended and shared their old photos. The event got the neighbors more tuned in to the history of their homes and neighborhood, and some of the features that they might see every day but now can see in a historical light.
Felton Acres neighbors celebrate their Blue Plaque historic designation. | Photo by Kevin Eckstrom
The plaques will soon be mounted and on display for the public in general. One will be mounted near Highway 9 and Redwood Drive, where the main entrance to Felton Acres was, where a rustic arbor used to stand. The other will be installed at the old stone gazebo in the 700 block of Redwood Drive which is one of the last remnants of the pool and recreation complex that used to be in that area. It is believed that this location was a bus stop for some time and in serious disrepair. In 2005 neighbors encouraged the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County to take ownership of the land and then funded the gazebo restoration. So there’s recent history of the neighborhood pulling together in the name of preservation.
Property owners of historic structures in the San Lorenzo Valley could consider applying for plaques. It’s an easy process and the Historic Landmark Committee is available to help with the application process and historic research. Anyone can nominate and pay for the plaque, but the property owner must approve and agree to display it. More info at santacruzmah.org/historic-landmark-committee.
Featured photo at top of page: Entrance to Felton Acres with its rustic arbor in 1926, Photo courtesy of the UCSC Digital Archives
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