Author Archives: Bruce

THE FABLED COOPER HOUSE 1971. Once upon a time (1915) this was our County Courthouse. Located at Pacific and Cooper Streets. It became our beloved and much used Cooper House in the early 1970’s. With great stores, restaurant, and the … Continue reading →

TRADITIONAL SANTA CRUZ HOLIDAY PHOTO. If you look very closely you’ll note that this photo was taken at 7:50am. It was taken in 1957 and is of course the corner of Pacific and Cooper Streets. As we know the only … Continue reading →

TOUCHING UP JESUS AND FRIENDS. This may be the two women who actually sculpted this nearly life sized Last Supper in 1950. It shows Katherine Stubergh and her daughter, also named Katherine, touching up those guys on April 23, 1954. … Continue reading →

LIBERACE’S BROTHER GEORGE (middle) and our own Hocus Pocus with reindeer (and somebody) at Santa’s Village May 9 1959. Newcomers missed Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley. It was built in 1955 and went bankrupt in 1959. photo credit: Covello & … Continue reading →

CIVIL RIGHTS SYMPATHY MARCH. March 13, 1965. Back in 1965 this was probably 98% of the Santa Cruz Democrats. It was at the corner of Lincoln and Center Streets according to the street sign. I believe Herb and Ellie Foster … Continue reading →

COOPER STREET REVISION, 1967. For some reason Cooper Street must cry out for revisions. Back in January 1967 Dave Armstrong drew up this plot to close off the Street. Obviously it never happened. That’s Front Street on the right margin, … Continue reading →

CONSTRUCTION OF CVS (LONG’S ) DRUG STORE. This was taken July 22,1965. You can see The Del Mar Theatre on the far left. Van’s Super Market in the photo is about where Oswald’s Restaurant and that ugly three story parking … Continue reading →

The once Santa Cruz County Bank. This was taken January 4, 1965. Now the bank has become Pacific Wave Surf Shop.You can see Montgomery Ward’s catalog store on the left of the Bank. Down Cooper Street behind the bank was … Continue reading →

EASTSIDE KIDS PARADE. October 20,1950. I believe this became the annual Eastside Halloween Parade. Looking at Soquel Ave. now you’ll find Saffron & Genevieve’s where the two bay windows are, and on the far right is the parking lot of … Continue reading →

THE MIGHTY SAN LORENZO RIVER circa 1895. Here’s the way the river used to be during the Venetian Water Festivals. They started in 1895 and continued off and on into the 1920’s. Talk about bringing life back to our river!!! … Continue reading →