By Lisa Robinson
These images are from Boulder [Creek Pioneers] Days, sometimes referred to as Old Timers’ Days. The event began in 1940 as a celebration of the dedication of the new firehouse building and community hall.
In the following year, 1941, the celebration expanded to two days, and included a county fair, a horse show on the Boulder Creek High School athletic field, and displays of relics of pioneer days. Santos Omnes was the Grand Marshal. Santos’ family, which is of French and Spanish descent, have been residents since before statehood.The Hill Billy Olympics took place on the river behind the fire station.
Amateurs and professionals alike participated in “log rolling, shake-making, timber-bucking, and rail-splitting contests.”
According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, 9,000 people attended. Boulderites were encouraged to grow a beard; otherwise, they might be thrown into the Whiskerino Hoosegow. There were two parades, a historic parade and a horseman’s parade. In subsequent years, a children’s parade was also added.
The Boulder Creek High School band gave a concert in a bandstand that stood next to the fire station, after which the Boulder Creek Queen was crowned. In 1947, Martha Fritch was the Belle of Boulder Creek. Martha made a series of radio show appearances in San Francisco to promote the event. The dress she is wearing in this picture is in the collection of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.
On the Saturday evening, street dancing was enjoyed to a hillbilly orchestra and with “all Boulder Creek residents donning their pioneer and western costumes.”
Boulder Days was postponed during WWII, but was revived in 1946.
Pictured here is also“The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe,” which won first prize in 1961. Otto Holm of Otto’s Place, a 70-year-old barroom noted for its “old relics of early days of Boulder Creek,” (now Mac’s 100-year Old Place antique store) is dressed as the old woman. And the float of The Pink Poodle, a fashion shop in Boulder Creek took honors in 1957.
Some names are very familiar—such as Johnnies Cash Store—the precursor to Johnnie’s Supermarket.
Boulder Days enjoyed widespread publicity, including a special supplement of the San Francisco News in 1957. People did attend from far and wide; it was touted as a huge boost to the local economy. The last Boulder Days was held in 1965.
Check out more of the Museum’s Boulder Days images at: www.flickr.com/photos/12208289@N08/collections..