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

The Mystery Spot

A History

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

1. The Mystery Spot Marker

Inscription. Originally we wanted to get the level ground below here for a summer home or mountain cabin, but the gentleman we were buying from would not sell the level ground unless we purchased a strip across the entire south end of his property including this hillside. Finally we bought the entire piece mainly to get the level ground, and as we were helping the surveyor along the north line we noted the compass to vary a small amount on the transit, and spoke to him about it at that time. He said we might get that variation along a barbed wire fence or some mineral in the ground, and let it pass at that. On thinking it over later, there was no barbed wire fence near where we were at that time, and as far as we knew, no excessive mineral in this ground, so we took our own small hand compass and went up over the north line to try and check on it. The variation there was not great enough that we could tell anything about it with nothing to compare it with, as you would have with a surveying instrument or transit. But it is quite rough going up over the point of the hill and thru the brush. On returning we came down the little

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canyon or draw above here, in so doing felt very light headed or top heavy, felt like something trying to force us right off the hill. We sat down for a while to try and overcome that feeling. While sitting there we happened to look at the compass again, there the compass had varied enough that we needed nothing to compare it with to tell that it was not correct. We began to check from that and the more we checked the more we found, until we find we have this spot of ground here, about one hundred fifty feet in diameter, that so far we have not found any instrument absolutely correct over it. A portable radio will play any place over it with but very little variation, being the nearest correct that we have found.

Erected by The Mystery Spot. (Marker Number 1055.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 37° 1.028′ N, 122° 0.152′ W. Marker is near Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. It can be reached from

The Mystery Spot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

2. The Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot Road 0.3 miles north of Branciforte Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 465 Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz CA 95065, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the 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,

on 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 Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Branciforte Adobe (approx. 2 miles away); Powder House (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Paper Mill Dam (approx. 2.2 miles away); Paradise Park (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Scott House (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Scott House (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Pack House (approx. 2.4 miles away); Santa Cruz Memorial Park (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.

Regarding The Mystery Spot. In

Sign at Highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker

3. Sign at Highway

California Historical Landmark No. 1055.

2014 this location was designated California Historical Landmark No. 1055 —
Opened in 1941, The Mystery Spot is the first and most significant example of its type in California, a "tilt-box" or "gravity house" roadside attraction that gained popularity in the mid-20th century. The Mystery Spot was designed and built by George Prather and managed by Prather and his son Bruce. The site became a popular destination and stopping point for tourists and locals, and still operates today in its original location and design.

Also see . . . The Mystery Spot. (Submitted on January 27, 2023.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 505 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.