First Christmas Tree Farms
2021-01-07
by Lisa Robinson Over seventy years ago in 1949, it was proclaimed that “Santa Cruz County May Be[come a] Christmas Tree Center.” In fact, it wasn’t until 1943, that the first Christmas Tree farm was founded in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was James P. Loghry’s TipTop Ranch, located onRead More →
Scenes From Local History
2019-09-22
A closer look at the new mural in downtown Boulder Creek By Lisa Robinson Skyline-to-the-Sea The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail runs from the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains along the old Saratoga Toll Road through Castle Rock and Big Basin State Parks to the ocean at Waddell’s Beach. William Waddell, aRead More →
The Felton Toll Gate House
2019-09-22
By Lisa Robinson In 1870, Feltonite Otis Ashely complained in a letter to the Santa Cruz Sentinel: “We have a county grog-shop at the toll gate on the San Lorenzo Road. We would inquire what runs that institution? The Supervisors compel us to pay one hundred dollars a month forRead More →
Standing Redwood Burns Fourteen Months
2019-03-31
By Lisa Robinson Redwoods are somewhat fire resistant and can survive, and in fact heal, after being burned. “Other trees are consumed, but the redwoods battle with the demon and conquer.” In August 1907 the Santa Cruz Sentinel asked: “Stand beside the chimney tree and ask its story. It willRead More →