Category Archives: Weekly Articles

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 →

AT THE FOOT OF OUR 100 YEAR OLD WHARF. The Sea Beach Hotel seen behind the Saloon in the front, opened in 1888 and burned up (or down) in 1912. This wharf, one of our three, was called “the railroad … Continue reading →

EARLY SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK. This dates about 1882 and a hot air balloon ascension which doesn’t look too successful. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com THE SISTINE CHAPEL..A CLOSE UP VIEW. … Continue reading →

BUILDING THE LIGHTHOUSE AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT. The lighthouse went up (this photo was taken May 5, 1967). If you really squint you can see that the project was being done by Milt Macken, contractor. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical … Continue reading →

PRE-NICKELODEON SITE. This was the Lincoln Bakery back on May 16,1950. The house next door where they now have such an incredible sidewalk garden, was where actress Zasu Pitts lived (she was born in Kansas). The Nick opened July 1, … Continue reading →

HISTORIC OCTAGON HALL OF RECORDS and OUR ORIGINAL COURT HOUSE (AFTER 1882). This beautiful stately two floor masterpiece was our first County Court House, built in 1867 and burned down in 1894. Next door and on the left was and … Continue reading →

MISS CALIFORNIA CONTESTANTS ATOP PALOMAR HOTEL. That’s Miss Tulare on the left and Miss Azusa on the right. Obviously it’s 6:14 p.m. and not so obviously it’s June 1963. Newcomers shopuld note that this was the original location of our … Continue reading →