Author Archives: Bruce

PACIFIC AVENUE, SANTA CRUZ. CIRCA 3:31 p.m. 1925-1928. There may have been a few chain stores on Pacific Avenue back then but I can’t spot any. We can see the original location of our Town Clock Tower atop the O.D.D. … Continue reading →

THE ORIGINAL MORRISSEY SAFEWAY. This was back in June 12, 1953. Staff of Life is right there now on Soquel Avenue, and has been since February 2011. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email … Continue reading →

MAY 1947. ENTERING SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. What is mysterious is that the sign right behind the Santa Cruz County Sign says, “California Highway 56”. Any historians out there know if Highway One was once Highway 56??. Good thing they widened … Continue reading →

BEFORE ABBOTT SQUARE. Here’s the corner of Cooper Street and Front Street after 1866 when the Hall of Records was built and 1882 when they built The Octagon. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: … Continue reading →

THE RAINS CAME. 1958. This is between Front Street and the river. That’s the Garibaldi Hotel which was built in 1894 and demolished in 1958. It was on an island, according to John Chase’s book, which you had to reach … Continue reading →

SANTA’S VILLAGE May 9, 1959. Youngsters won’t be impressed, but that’s Liberace’s brother George in the plaid jacket. He played the violin. That’s the late magician “Hocus Pocus” not dressed in his usual clown outfit, but as Santa. I don’t … Continue reading →

MORE SNOW ON PACIFIC AVENUE, 1957. Not much of this corner left anymore. It’s that Pacific and Front Street meeting Mission and Water Street. The Bank of the West is now where the beautiful McHugh & Bianchi Market was and … Continue reading →

December 1946. Another favorite repeat…The St. George Hotel (one time site of the Hip Pocket Bookstore) and the future site of Bookshop Santa Cruz. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com WHAT ACID … Continue reading →

SNOW ON PACIFIC AVENUE. 7:50 a.m. 1957. You can still tell this is Cooper Street and Pacific Avenue by the old County Bank building. That was the historic Cooper House on the far right (now Oneill’s Surf Shop) and the … Continue reading →

WHEN RAIN FELL ON PACIFIC AVENUE IN 1955. One of my favorite historical photos. This was about in front of The Rittenhouse building at Church and Pacific, where the Rip Curl Store opened a few months ago. I always remember … Continue reading →