Category Archives: Weekly Articles

PACIFIC AVENUE, SANTA CRUZ, 1892. From McCaleb’s “Surf Sand and Streetcars” book we learn that this was Santa Cruz’s first electric streetcar line. This was known as the lower plaza. Front, Mission and Pacific Avenue. It shared the tracks with … Continue reading →

ONE MORE SNOW PHOTO, 1957. This was taken at Mission and Water Streets or Front and Pacific if you prefer. You know, Bank of The West and The Town Clock corner . We lost the McHugh Bianchi Building (on the … Continue reading →

OUR TOWN CLOCK’S ORIGINAL POSITION ON JULY 27, 1964. This shows the removal of the clock from high atop the International Order of Odd Fellows Building on Pacific Avenue. It went from here to sit in Harvey West Park for … Continue reading →

SNOW AND TWO WAY TRAFFIC ON PACIFIC AT 7:50AM. IN 1957. You say global warming, I say nostalgia, but whatever works we do have occasional snows around these Mediterranean parts. That lovely building for you newcomers was The Cooper House, … Continue reading →

LIBERACE’S BROTHER GEORGE (in middle), HOCUS POCUS (as SANTA) & REINDEER IN SANTA’S VILLAGE May 9, 1959. Santa’s Village was built in Scotts Valley right off to the east on hwy 17. about 1955. It went bankrupt in 1977. George … Continue reading →

MARILYN MONROE-HISTORICAL PHOTO. I personally took this photo October 28, 1952. Read below. photo credit: author’s personal collection Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com ONE WEEK WITH MARILYN and MY 1/50 SECOND WITH MARILYN, part 2. The film now at … Continue reading →

NEW HIGHWAY 9 RIVER STREET INTERSECTION IN 1956. An amazing photo showing the new highway, The Tannery in lower right, CPDES hall center right, and the baseball field, the Sashmill far left, new San Lorenzo bridge in lower center. No … Continue reading →

PACIFIC AVENUE. December 1946 at 2:01 p.m. All those Christmas Decorations and that Chain Store in the lower right. I just now read that Optometrist Dr. Ray. G. Newcomer had his office right next to The Artistic Beauty Salon. That … Continue reading →

TWO WAY PACIFIC AVENUE January 26, 1965. Note an earlier location for Palace Stationers and Fortier’s Optical, note Fingal’s Jewelers in the Palomar passageway, S & M Bakery on the far right!!, and the International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) … Continue reading →

PACIFIC AVENUE, WATER STREET AND MISSION STREET. This was the Anthony Block and here we can see Irwin’s Nickelodeon just about our first movie theatre. It’s where the Town clock is now. See page 84 of John Chase’s Santa Cruz … Continue reading →