Flying A Boxers Fountain 1940 Columns Local History 

Filling Stations in Ben Lomond | Local History

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
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

Within These Walls at Quail Hollow Ranch Park

Do you enjoy looking through old buildings learning about their stories? Join Park Docent, Richard James, on a tour through the Quail Hollow Ranch house. Learn about its history from the Watermelon King to Sun-Kissed Ranch, Sunset Magazine, and beyond. This informative tour will give you the opportunity to find out about four of the families who made the ranch… Read More
Books Boulder Creek Columns History 

Remembering the White Cockade Scottish Pub: Recipes, Photos, and Recollections

One Hundred Thousand Welcomes! A Legendary Boulder Creek Watering Hole Remembered. By Julie Horner In days past, anyone traveling deep in the forest along Upper Highway 9 in Boulder Creek might spot The White Cockade Scottish Pub biding beside the roadway with its front door painted bright blue and emblazoned with a white X, the Saltire, representing the St. Andrews… Read More
History Local News 

Waterman Gap Lumber Mill Turns 100

By Julie Horner with Scott Tucker and Derek Whaley On Sunday, November 5, 2023, local tree professional Bruce Baker took a group of local history buffs, backcountry trail hands, and the generally curious to the ruins of the Santa Cruz Lumber Mill near Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The Santa Cruz Lumber Company was formed by Santa Cruz native George… Read More
Chinese Pioneers Power and Politics in Exclusion Era Photographs Columns History 

Chinese Pioneers: Exhibit at Belardi Gallery in Felton

Contributed by the San Lorenzo Valley Museum Now through November 12, visitors can view a temporary exhibit titled Chinese Pioneers: Power and Politics in Exclusion Era Photographs at the Faye G. Belardi Memorial Gallery in Felton. This exhibition explores the social, political, and judicial disenfranchisement of Chinese Californians — as well as moments of Chinese agency and resilience — in… Read More
Felton Covered Bridge 1920 1930 History Local News 

A History of the Founding of Felton Covered Bridge Park

By Lisa Robinson Imagine driving into Felton across the covered bridge. Before 1938, that was the county road. Signs, attached to the bridge, cautioned drivers of vehicles over 10 tons. “Every time a heavily loaded truck crosses the covered bridge it gets spooky. It creaks, and groans and acts like it was about to pass all in.” But that all… Read More
Libraries Local News 

Pages of Time: Ben Lomond Library an Overlooked Treasure

By Julie Horner and Ronnie Trubek When was the last time you took a stroll on historic Mill Street in Ben Lomond? The short stretch of byway that runs parallel to the San Lorenzo River is home to Ben Lomond Market, Sew Rose, painted Bermuda pink on the corner, and Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center. Several other small businesses line… Read More
chinese laborer in the santa cruz mountains Columns Local History 

China Grade and the Chinese in Boulder Creek | Local History

by Lisa Robinson Between 1884 and 1885, Winfield Scott Rodgers, brother of Charles Campbell Rodgers who founded the Mountain Echo Newspaper, built a road from his timber claim on the headwaters of Boulder Creek, to the county road at the “Sequoia settlement.” Initially about two and a half miles long and costing $1,500, Rodgers built the road with “three hired… Read More
county bank felton 1948 Columns History Local History 

A Glimpse of the Past: County Bank in Felton 1950s

By Ronnie Trubek From the image above, can you tell where this bank was located? The Felton branch of the County First Savings Bank (established in 1870 as the Santa Cruz Bank of Savings and Loan) opened in November 1948. The Santa Cruz branch opened the first “Drive-up Teller” in the area in 1953. The name was officially changed in… Read More