Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Women's Christian Temperance Union

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 29, 2022

1. Women's Christian Temperance Union Marker

Inscription.
1893
Women's Christian Temperance Union
Free Reading Room
Town's First Library
Santa Cruz County Historical Trust Landmark

Erected by Santa Cruz County Museum of Art & History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 37° 7.384′ N, 122° 7.286′ W. Marker is in Boulder Creek, California, in Santa Cruz County. It is on Central Avenue (California Route 9), on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted above the large windows on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13026 CA-9, Boulder Creek CA 95006, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s

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Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stagg/Hartman House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mountain Echo Newspaper Office (about 400 feet away); I.O.O.F. Hall (about 400 feet away); The Swamp House (about 500 feet away); Basham Boarding House (about 500 feet away); McLeod House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grace Episcopal Church Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); World famous Brookdale Lodge (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boulder Creek.

Also see . . .
1. WCTU in Boulder Creek.

"A two story building was built in 1893 for a little over $1,000 on a lot donated by the railroad. The brave hard working ladies of the Union cooked and served meals to the people to pay off their construction loan. The WCTU played a significant role in the tumultuous history of temperance and anti-temperance in the town through the early years of the twentieth century. By way of funds from renting the upstairs unit, the WCTU opened up a free reading room downstairs. The hope was that this would cure the loggers
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 29, 2022

2. Women's Christian Temperance Union Marker
of their nefarious activities, including frequenting the towns many saloons and brothels."

(Submitted on August 2, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

2. Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 1, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.