Author Archives: Bruce

The First Santa Cruz Chinatown. This was on Front Street and was leveled by fire in 1894. That’s Loma Prieta Mountain in the distance. About 60 folks lived here. There were three gambling houses, laundries, and some boarding houses. This … Continue reading →

ANOTHER LOGGING PICTURE FROM OUR MOUNTAINS.I don’t have any clue just where in our mountains this enormous and professional logging operation was taking place. It’s one of hundreds of photos showing the glories of clear-cutting. Additional information always welcome: email … Continue reading →

OPENING OF HIGHWAY 1 “BY-PASS” AT MISSION STREET AND CHESTNUT. This was taken on November 27, 1956. Note that there’s no right turn onto Chestnut Street (it didn’t go through!!!) Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com I VOTED FOR MICAH!! … Continue reading →

FRONT STREET & SOQUEL. JANUARY 1957. Are you thinking about all of downtown Santa Cruz being built on a flood plain? All of downtown is about 2 inches above Tsunami or San Lorenzo River overflow headlines. The closest gas station … Continue reading →

HARD WORKING SENTINEL “EMPLOYEE” BRUCE Mc PHERSON AND HIS 1963 MGB. This was taken on August 30, 1965 when bosses’ son and playboy Bruce was 21. For example if Bruce paid say, $3000 for that 63 MGB that would be … Continue reading →

SANTA CRUZ SURF CLUB AT COWELL’S BEACH. This photo was taken on June 8, 1941. That’s before Pearl Harbor, Cowell Beach pollution, the Dream Inn, Jay Moriarity or almost everybody got here. Anyone know who these guys are? Additional information … Continue reading →

NOW MORE THAN EVER!!! This was back on October 15,1952. These intrepid Democrats were standing on Pacific across from Leask’s Department Store (and the Rittenhouse Building) at Pacific and Church Streets. According to the photographer’s notes they were about to … Continue reading →

ONE WAY ON PACIFIC 1964. I was going to suggest that this was a traffic experiment for one way traffic back in the day…it’s not really. It’s theMiss California Pageant just starting up. See all the Marines driving those Oldsmobiles? … Continue reading →

WALGREENS CORNER, LAUREL AND PACIFIC February 2, 1949. Back in the day, this was Bill O’Reilly’s Dodge Plymouth garage and dealership. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com MUCH EXPOSED AT DESAL CANDIDATES NIGHT LAST WEEK. The Santa Cruz Desal Alternatives … Continue reading →

COWELL WHARF IN THE 1880’S. The Cowell Wharf, the Municipal Wharf, and the Douglas House where the Boardwalk would be built later. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com MOUNT RUSHMORE ON CHESTNUT?? No official word yet about what or why … Continue reading →