Category Archives: Weekly Articles

LOWER PACIFIC AVENUE, SANTA CRUZ. Maybe circa 1890’s?? notice no cars, street car tracks, and “Theraputic Baths” on the roof of a building maybe on Pacific and Spruce Streets. Any/all data would be appreciated. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com … Continue reading →

PACIFIC AVENUE 1957. These snow photos that I print every season are necessary proof that it can happen here. It’s obviously 7:46 am by the Town Clock shown here atop the ODD Fellows hall right there 2 doors from the … Continue reading →

BEFORE THE POST OFFICE. The Swanton House was an early Fred Swanton project. It burned down in 1887 in the huge downtown fire. It was the first three story hotel in town. Our present post office opened around 1911/1912. Additional … Continue reading →

CLEAN BEACHES. This was back about 1940 or so, before the Dream Inn, before dirty beaches, The Ideal Fish Restaurant building was there. Check it out and think about how all the development this area has received, and just how … Continue reading →

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 →