Category Archives: Weekly Articles

SANTA CRUZ’S OPERA HOUSE 1877-1921.  Not just traveling operas but John L. Sullivan spoke there too. Plays and all sorts of culture happened there. It was hauled to Capitola and later demolished on June 7, 1961.                                                 photo credit: Covello … Continue reading →

THE ORIGINAL SANTA CRUZ PUBLIC LIBRARY’S DEATH. This was taken September 12, 1966. Even back then our City Council made stupid decisions. They destroyed this classic library and built what we have to live with now. It’s the same location…you … Continue reading →

AN EARLIER OUT DOOR THEATRE GLEN/GLADE. This historic photo is titled “MIRACLE OF THE TREES” and is dated May 7, 1949. I think Carolyn Swift told me years ago that this huge outdoor “theatre” was somewhere in Scotts Valley. photo … Continue reading →

THE PEOPLES BANK, WELLS FARGO BANK, THE ID BUILDING, AND NOW THE SOCK SHOP. This is the corner of Locust and Pacific. January 4, 1965. As usual, I like to point out the width of Pacific Avenue back then. See … Continue reading →

                                              MEMORIAL DAY 1948. AT 10:48 am. (or 10:41am. depending on which visible clock we can trust) Do also notice the two way Pacific Avenue, and note the two lanes of parked cars and still plenty of room for 5 … Continue reading →

THE ONCE GRAND SOUTH PACIFIC COAST RAILWAY STATION # 1905. As you can probably tell this was the way the Train Depot at Depot Park looked back then. Maybe it was known as the Union Railroad depot. (It depends on … Continue reading →

PACIFIC AVENUE, SANTA CRUZ. CIRCA 3:31 p.m. 1925-1928. There may have been a few chain stores on Pacific Avenue back then but I can’t spot any. We can see the original location of our Town Clock Tower atop the O.D.D. … Continue reading →

THE ORIGINAL MORRISSEY SAFEWAY. This was back in June 12, 1953. Staff of Life is right there now on Soquel Avenue, and has been since February 2011. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email … Continue reading →

MAY 1947. ENTERING SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. What is mysterious is that the sign right behind the Santa Cruz County Sign says, “California Highway 56”. Any historians out there know if Highway One was once Highway 56??. Good thing they widened … Continue reading →

BEFORE ABBOTT SQUARE. Here’s the corner of Cooper Street and Front Street after 1866 when the Hall of Records was built and 1882 when they built The Octagon. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: … Continue reading →