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

James A. Hall

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 8, 2013

1. James A. Hall Marker

Inscription. An accomplished attorney and Watsonville mayor, James A. Hall was an adventurer at heart. In the summer of 1900, he set out to find a lost mining claim near Teller, Alaska. Before too long, he was lost himself. Without provisions and clad in summer attire, he wandered aimlessly for 68 days. Starving and near death, he was found at last by two hunters. His book documenting the ordeal “Starving on a Bed of Gold” is a rare look at one of Watsonville’s pioneers.

Erected 1989 by Monterey Viejo Chapter No. 1846, E Clampus Vitus,.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 36° 56.491′ N, 121° 44.494′ W. Marker is in Watsonville, California, in Santa Cruz County. It can be reached from East Lake Avenue (California Route 152), on the right when traveling west. This marker is located at the Valley Catholic Cemetery, block 8. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2433 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville CA 95076, 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 Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies: The Discovery of California Redwoods (approx. 1.4 miles away); Charley Darkey Parkhurst (approx. 1.7 miles away); Whiskey Hill (approx. 1.8 miles away); Men Die O Liberty That Thou Endurs (approx. 2 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 2.1 miles away); Judge Julius Lee House (approx. 2.2 miles away); St. Patricks Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Watsonville (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watsonville.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 8, 2013

2. James A. Hall Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.