Author Archives: Bruce

OUR HISTORICAL MUNICIPAL WHARF. This was opening day back in 1914. Cynthia Mathews and her own City Council want to develop our wharf into another Pier 39. Ask her about it. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional … Continue reading →

TOM SCRIBNER THE MUSICIAN. (L to R) Tom Scribner musical Saw, Arlene Sutton accordion and piano, and Herman Olson musical saw and accordion. Because I’m receiving the first ever Tom Scribner Award this next Saturday I thought this would be … Continue reading →

OUR WIDE PACIFIC AVENUE JUNE 1964. This is looking North from about where the Metro Station is now. Yes, it’s the Miss California Parade. Mostly the photo is to remind all of us that none of the buildings on Pacific … Continue reading →

PACIFIC AVENUE DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ. January 29,1963. This is Pacific and Cathcart where Old School Shoes is now and where Taqueria Vallarta used to be and Five Guys Burgers is going in. Please note cars parked on BOTH sides of … Continue reading →

SANTA CRUZ’S OPERA HOUSE 1877-1921.  Not just traveling operas but John L. Sullivan spoke there too. Plays and all sorts of culture happened there. It was hauled to Capitola and later demolished on June 7, 1961.                                                 photo credit: Covello … Continue reading →

THE ORIGINAL SANTA CRUZ PUBLIC LIBRARY’S DEATH. This was taken September 12, 1966. Even back then our City Council made stupid decisions. They destroyed this classic library and built what we have to live with now. It’s the same location…you … Continue reading →

AN EARLIER OUT DOOR THEATRE GLEN/GLADE. This historic photo is titled “MIRACLE OF THE TREES” and is dated May 7, 1949. I think Carolyn Swift told me years ago that this huge outdoor “theatre” was somewhere in Scotts Valley. photo … Continue reading →

THE PEOPLES BANK, WELLS FARGO BANK, THE ID BUILDING, AND NOW THE SOCK SHOP. This is the corner of Locust and Pacific. January 4, 1965. As usual, I like to point out the width of Pacific Avenue back then. See … Continue reading →

                                              MEMORIAL DAY 1948. AT 10:48 am. (or 10:41am. depending on which visible clock we can trust) Do also notice the two way Pacific Avenue, and note the two lanes of parked cars and still plenty of room for 5 … Continue reading →

THE ONCE GRAND SOUTH PACIFIC COAST RAILWAY STATION # 1905. As you can probably tell this was the way the Train Depot at Depot Park looked back then. Maybe it was known as the Union Railroad depot. (It depends on … Continue reading →