Frank Capelli, Highway 9 Motorcop
By Scott Tucker
By the early 1900s, cars were becoming the predominant source of transportation in the San Lorenzo Valley. Back then, Highway 9 was a gravel road. There were few, if any, guardrails. The road was hazardous but horse and buggy and lumber wagons could not drive with much speed. With the automobile comes danger. In 1910, motorcop Frank Capelli began patrolling Highway 9 through Felton on his motorcycle.
Frank was born in 1886 in Felton, the son of Giuseppe and Catrina Capelli. They lived on the 115 acre Capelli ranch which is now occupied by the San Lorenzo Valley tri-campus and El Solyo Heights neighborhood. Frank had always been a motorcycle enthusiast. He was hired by the County in 1910 as a “Motor Officer,” traveling up and down highway 9 looking for violations.
The speed limit was 15 mph and drivers caught exceeding this were arrested. In 1922, he chased Ruth Price of Fresno at blistering speeds of up to 40 mph before catching her in Santa Cruz. The modern automobile was too quiet and horses were spooked when a car suddenly came around a corner. Many people were arrested for not honking while travelling around corners. Other violations included having your spotlight at the wrong angle, ‘cutting in,’ and driving on the left hand side of the road. Frank eventually joined the CHP which was founded in 1929.
The water trough pictured above and at top of page was for teams of horses or mules to drink along their journey up the San Lorenzo. It was likely placed there in the 1800s when the road was built. It still stands along Highway 9 near the Garden of Eden as does the stump and young redwoods in the background. It is still filled with water from the spring above. When you drive past it, think of the time Frank put in to keep our highways safe.
As you drive around the San Lorenzo Valley, realize that many of the street names you see are names of the original settlers that had claimed the land in mid to late 1800s. (See Lisa Robinson’s Streetwise column for more on this topic.) When entering the San Lorenzo Valley Middle School you will notice the last street before the entrance is Capelli Drive. You never know what colorful character walked the same paths that you do. the San Lorenzo Valley Middle School you will notice the last street before the entrance is Capelli Drive. You never know what colorful character walked the same paths that you do.
Historical photos courtesy of UCSC Digital Collections
Scott Tucker
Scott Tucker is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Scotts Valley, a classic car expert, and curator of the Facebook group ‘Boulder Creek History Only.’ He lives in Boulder Creek.
