Created in 1858, the Evergreen Cemetery provided a final resting place for a multitude of Santa Cruz’s adventurers, entrepreneurs and artists. The land was a gift from the Imus family, who’d narrowly escaped the fate of the Donner Party more than a decade earlier and had already buried two of their own. Alongside these pioneers, the community buried many other notables, including London Nelson, an emancipated slave turned farmer who left his land to the city schools, and journalist Belle Dormer, who covered a visit by President Benjamin Harrison and the women’s suffrage movement. Join Traci Bliss and Randall Brown as they bring to life the tragedies and triumphs of the diverse men and women interred at Evergreen Cemetery.
Santa Cruz History Journal #7: Split History
The history of the Santa Cruz Mountain redwoods consists of many stories: stories that tell of the thousands of years these aged giants thrived as the Ohlone people managed the landscape; that tell of the settlers who came from afar and saw the seemingly endless forests as a source of profit; that tell of the far-sighted women and men who joined together to preserve groves of these ancient trees. The stories progress to the present day as the split interests of logging and conservation continue to collide.
Castro Adobe in the 20th Century, Earthquake to Earthquake, by Suzanne Paizis – Second Edition
As the last shudders of the Loma Prieta Earthquake subsided on October 17, 1989, a great cloud of brown adobe dust rose from the collapsed walls of a once-magnificent rancho overlooking the Pajaro Valley.
In this compelling biography of one of the last historic adobes in Santa Cruz County, writer and historian Suzanne Paizis traces the fate of the Castro Adobe, from pride of the wealthy Castro family in the 1840s to mysterious and sometimes ramshackle home for a succession of colorful families who followed in the 20th century (including Paizis’ own family) and finally to decaying symbol of the past.
In the second edition, nine new chapters pick up after the Loma Prieta Earthquake to tell the unlikely story of how a grand old adobe, fallen on hard times, is being reborn as the Castro Adobe State Historic Park with help from Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, California State Parks and a community of passionate grassroots supporters.
Santa Cruz History Journal #9: Landscapes
The 9th edition of the Santa Cruz History Journal is about environmental activism and historic preservation in Santa Cruz. From the fight to save Lighthouse Field to the opposition of a nuclear power plant on the North Coast to the establishment of the California Coastal Commission, this anthology is about the people, organizations, ballot measures, and movements that literally shaped our county.
Of special interest is the essay How Grassroots Community Activism Changed History at the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, written by Friends Executive Director Bonny Hawley, Historic Preservation Manager Jessica Kusz, and Operations Director Peg Danielsen, which recounts the surprising story of the grassroots effort to shape the Santa Cruz Mission into the cultural and historical landmark it is today.
Also available at the Santa Cruz Mission, Natural Bridges, Wilder Ranch, and Seacliff ParkStores.
Coyote at the Big Time 123
The follow-up to Heyday’s bestselling, A is for Acorn, Coyote at the Big Time 123 takes young readers to a Native California with Coyote as their guide. Counting from one clapper stick up to ten stars twinkling above the gathering, Coyote explores indigenous cultural traditions, including songs, dances, hand games, art and, of course, delicious food. Lyn Risling’s beautiful illustrations depict the diversity of traditions that continue to thrive throughout the state. At once a fun introduction to numbers and a celebration of community, this lively counting book shows babies and toddlers how to take in the beautiful world around them.
Wilder Ranch State Park Cookbook
Cook and bake the Wilder Ranch way! If you’ve ever had a cookie or a brownie at Wilder Ranch Fourth of July or Harvest Festival, you know how delicious they are. These historically-accurate recipes were meticulously researched by Wilder Ranch docents.
Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe
Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe
Map – Wilder Ranch
Map – Wilder Ranch
This must have map provides more than just hiking/biking directions. It provides historical information as well as, information on flora and fauna, park recreational activities and special events.
The 1:24,000 map with shaded reliefs, shows not only Wilder Ranch State Park but includes some areas of neighboring Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, UCSC, Santa Cruz, and Bonny Doon.
Key Fact Sheet – the Santa Cruz Mission
Learn everything you need to know about the Santa Cruz Mission! Perfect for Fourth Grade Mission projects.
Each Fact Sheet Contains
• Official, popular and special names
• Patron Saint
• Key Dates – for ALL Important Events
• The Indian tribes whose joined
• Where the mission was founded, and how they got water
• What the mission really looked like in mission era
• Livestock and agricultural data
• Architectural Floor plan of church (when available)
• Prominent Players in mission history
• Intriguing, Often Lesser-Known Facts
• Major Historic events (illustrated)
• Notable art
• Contemporary photographs
• Related California history
The Mission Santa Cruz Mystery
The founding of Mission Santa Cruz more than 200 years ago changed the course of history for the region. Where was the first church built in 1791 and why was that location selected? This hands-on book by local author and academic Melanie J Mayer approaches the location of the first Santa Cruz Mission as a mystery, providing readers with seven clues to help them discover for themselves the reasoning and location for the original mission.
Drawing from explorers’ journal entries and maps, The Mission Santa Cruz Mystery: Seven Clues To Find the Site of The First Mission, takes readers on an interactive walking tour of historical downtown Santa Cruz to the most probable location for the original mission, before it was relocated to present-day Mission Hill, where one original adobe building still remains as Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.