Category Archives: Weekly Articles

THE RAINS CAME. 1958. This is between Front Street and the river. That’s the Garibaldi Hotel which was built in 1894 and demolished in 1958. It was on an island, according to John Chase’s book, which you had to reach … Continue reading →

SANTA’S VILLAGE May 9, 1959. Youngsters won’t be impressed, but that’s Liberace’s brother George in the plaid jacket. He played the violin. That’s the late magician “Hocus Pocus” not dressed in his usual clown outfit, but as Santa. I don’t … Continue reading →

MORE SNOW ON PACIFIC AVENUE, 1957. Not much of this corner left anymore. It’s that Pacific and Front Street meeting Mission and Water Street. The Bank of the West is now where the beautiful McHugh & Bianchi Market was and … Continue reading →

December 1946. Another favorite repeat…The St. George Hotel (one time site of the Hip Pocket Bookstore) and the future site of Bookshop Santa Cruz. photo credit: Covello & Covello Historical photo collection. Additional information always welcome: email photo@brattononline.com WHAT ACID … Continue reading →

SNOW ON PACIFIC AVENUE. 7:50 a.m. 1957. You can still tell this is Cooper Street and Pacific Avenue by the old County Bank building. That was the historic Cooper House on the far right (now Oneill’s Surf Shop) and the … Continue reading →

WHEN RAIN FELL ON PACIFIC AVENUE IN 1955. One of my favorite historical photos. This was about in front of The Rittenhouse building at Church and Pacific, where the Rip Curl Store opened a few months ago. I always remember … Continue reading →

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ 1966. Amazing and even shocking to see the changes in our downtown in the last 49 years. The U.S. Postoffice is just about the only recognizable structure from those days. Mc Hugh Bianchi Market, The Tea Cup … Continue reading →

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ….PACIFIC AVENUE AND MISSION STREET. How time flies, what changes we’ve seen. That’s where McHugh & Bianchi used to be on the right side corner. Now it’s Bank of The West, There’s still an empty lot where Bookshop … Continue reading →

THE VENETIAN WATER CARNIVAL (June 1895-1927). Back in the day they’d dam up the San Lorenzo River, build elaborate floats and the community would have a great time. An annually built stage and grandstand held hundreds of folks. photo credit: … Continue reading →

A VERY WIDE PACIFIC AVENUE IN 1910. Look this over carefully, note the two way traffic, note the two trolley car lines, note the cars and carriages parked at the curbs. Yet the stores were exactly as far apart as … Continue reading →