Points of Historical Interest
by Lucy Kortum
Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County Map
Sources
- Santa Cruz: One of the original twenty-seven counties established in 1850 and named for Mission Santa Cruz, “holy cross,” established 1791.
- Waddell Creek Beach: Portola called the area Cañada de la Salud for the healthful effect of extended encampment in 1769. William Waddell built a sawmill there in the 1860’s.
- Scott Creek Beach: Hiram Scott was a successful gold miner.
- Davenport Overlook: Visible to the north are remnants of Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company’s1934 steel pier.
- Davenport: Historic whaling community of 1870; John Davenport built wharf in 1880’s and town developed after Portland Cement began operations in 1906. Old jail and church date to 1914 and 1915. Cement Plant Road passes cement plant between town and pier.
- Coast Dairies: Name reflects historic use of much of blufftop area north and south of Davenport, recently purchased for open space.
- Bonny Doon Beach: Name from inland Bonny Doon 1870’s limestone quarries.
- Wilder Ranch State Park: Historic ranch and vegetable farm recently purchased by State.
- (Nearby) Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Original Mexican 1843 land grant Cañada del Rincon purchased by Cowell and Joseph Welch in 1860’s. Redwoods were preserved and parcels later sold and given to county and state.
- (Nearby) University of California, Santa Cruz: 1849 lime quarried by Albion Jordan and Isaac Davis was used in brick manufacture for San Francisco. Purchased by Cowell in 1865 for cement and ranching operations. Historic structures remain on the UC campus.
- Lighthouse Field State Beach: Site of 1869 lighthouse, removed in 1948; memorial lighthouse built in 1963 in honor of surfer Mark Abbott. Historic citizens conservation battle preserved site as open space.
- Santa Cruz: Designated as city site by Portola in 1867; mission established 1791; farming and commercial center, whaling center, port for hides and tallow, later limestone, gunpowder, lumber and leather goods; still later tourism. Many historical sites. The long sweep of Monterey Bay extends from Santa Cruz south to Monterey.
- Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf: 1913 structure is fifth and longest; original wharf built in 1853 by Renfield Brothers for shipping.
- Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk: 1906 casino, pier, swimming pool and playground reflect historic tourism emphasis in Santa Cruz from 1860’s.
- Santa Cruz City Museum: Historical and natural exhibits in former Carnegie Library.
- Twin Lakes State Beach: Site of 1880’s Baptist summer resort with hotel and camping.
- Schwan Lake: Named for pioneer Jacob Schwan.
- Capitola: Founded in 1869 by lumberman F.A. Hihn, and named Capitola in hope that capitol would be placed there. Early Ohlone village, later included in two Mexican land grants; said to be California’s oldest seaside resort with historic residences large and small.
- Capitola Fishing Wharf: Site of 1856 commercial wharf for shipping to San Francisco prior to railroad.
- Seacliff State Beach: Pier, and a concrete supply ship Palo Alto built in 1918 and later towed to pier, were operated as an amusement center in 1930’s, now for fishing.
- Pajaro River, Landing, Dunes: River named by Portola expedition, 1769, for large stuffed bird left near river by Indians as offering; 19th century warehouse and landing. Coastal part of river was channelized in 1949 for flood control.
- (nearby) Watsonville: Laid out in 1852 by Judge John H. Watson and D.S. Gregory; a number of historic buildings remain.
Main Page Hiker Resources
Events Trail Development
Information