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Historical Markers and War Memorials in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat for Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County(257) ► ADJACENT TO SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Monterey County(246) ► San Benito County(55) ► San Mateo County(191) ► Santa Clara County(616) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
On Mission Street at Sylvar Street, on the right when traveling west on Mission Street.
At this location, an “El Camino Real” mission bell marker previously stood. Its removal was requested by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, descendants of the indigenous peoples taken to the Santa Cruz and San Juan Bautista missions.
In November of . . . — — Map (db m203217) HM
On West Cliff Drive, 0.2 miles south of Pelton Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
In honor of the all Black
Coast Artillery Army
Regiment that aided in
protecting the California
coast from enemy attack
during World War II
These members remained in
Santa Cruz after the war:
Chaplin Baskerville
John Bowen . . . — — Map (db m98046) WM
The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf opened in 1914. Secured by 2,000 Douglas-fir pilings driven 21 feet into the ocean floor, it is 2,745 feet long, or more than half a mile. It is the longest wooden pier in the United States.
The Wharf evolved from a . . . — — Map (db m201630) HM
What began in the “Summer of Love” as a teenage crush has grown into a successful family, spanning two generations. Kathy and Marshall Miller met as teenagers when they both worked at the Boardwalk in the 1960s. They began their first . . . — — Map (db m62795) HM
On Lincoln Street near Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling west.
Santa Cruz County
1894
Abbot Row Houses
Designed by VanCleeck for Wm. T. Cope
Saved from demolition 1973 by Chuck Abbott
Extensively restored by Jorge Jara
Historical Trust Landmark — — Map (db m205171) HM
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recognizes Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk's Giant Dipper as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance.
The 75-foot high wood coaster officially opened on May . . . — — Map (db m62826) HM
On Agnes Street at Mentel Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Agnes Street.
Native People
Arana Gulch’s oak forest, coastal prairie, nearby lagoon, and coastline were a rich source for the Ohlone. These semi-nomadic natives lived in the region for thousands of years, moving with the seasons to harvest acorns, hunt . . . — — Map (db m212638) HM
Near Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south.
Founder Publisher and Editor
Santa Cruz Surf
Brilliant in mind, just in judgment, valiant in spirit, for forty years leader in initiative thought and action for the public welfare.
He rests here in the place of his choice under the shadows . . . — — Map (db m62436) HM
The first Miss California Pageant took place at the Boardwalk in 1924, drawing huge crowds. The pageant moved to the Civic Auditorium in 1966. Santa Cruz enjoyed the economic benefits of this popular event until 1985.
Faye Lanpheir, Miss . . . — — Map (db m62812) HM
The Santa Cruz Beach was changed forever in 1904 when promoter and entrepreneur Fred Swanton hosted the grand opening of the Neptune Casino, a Moorish-style wonder and wedding cake of a building. The Casino was destroyed by fire in June of 1906. . . . — — Map (db m62796) HM
The timeless and picturesque Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has “starred” in everything from industrial films, commercials, and music videos to made-for-TV movies and feature-length big-screen releases. — — Map (db m62825) HM
On North Branciforte Avenue at Water Street on North Branciforte Avenue.
These school grounds were the center of Villa de Branciforte founded in 1797 by Governor Diego de Borica of California on orders from Spain through Viceroy Branciforte in Mexico. The settlement existed as political entity until American occupancy of . . . — — Map (db m2347) HM
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is still going strong 100 years after it first began entertaining visitors. The company has successfully adapted with the times and grown in a way that still fits within the local community. The entire Santa Cruz Beach . . . — — Map (db m201638) HM
This is the location of one of the last known bull and bear rings in California, where the animals were placed in a wooden stockade and local settlers would bet on the outcome of their fight.
Bull and Bear fights were brought to Santa Cruz by . . . — — Map (db m100961) HM
The restaurant now called Surf City Grill has been known by other names and owned by several families over the years. In spite of these changes, it remains a favorite for satisfying the appetites of visitors, ravenous after a day at the Boardwalk. — — Map (db m62815) HM
Near Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south.
James Williams
California Pioneer
James Williams, age 29 and a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, emigrated overland to California in 1843 along with his three brothers – John, age 25; Isaac, age 20; and Squire, age 19 – in a . . . — — Map (db m62440) HM
On Main Street near 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south.
Santa Cruz County
ca. 1872-1910
Carmelita Cottages
Homes of sea captain Timothy Dame, saloonkeeper Thomas V. Johnson, & opera singer J. Henry Thompson
Historical Trust Landmark — — Map (db m212388) HM
On Walnut Avenue near Center Street, on the right when traveling west.
City of Santa Cruz
Fire Department
Administration / Operations / Prevention Offices
City Council Groundbreaking: August 2000
Keith Sugar (Mayor) • Tim Fitzmaurice (Vice-Mayor) • Katherine Beiers • Michael Hernandez • . . . — — Map (db m205077) HM
On Cliff Street near Trinity Street, on the right when traveling south.
Santa Cruz
Cliff Crest
1887 D. A. Damkroeger, Arch.
later remodeled for William T. Jeter
early conservationist
Historical Society — — Map (db m212507) HM
On Walnut Avenue near Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling east.
Santa Cruz
Cope House
1877 Italianate • W.H. Burrows, Arch.
Wedding Gift of F.A. Hihn to his daughter Katie.
Historical Society — — Map (db m205048) HM
Near Glen Coolidge Drive just north of High Street, on the left when traveling north.
From the 1880s to middle 1900s workers at the lime works and ranch ate their daily meals at this Cook House. At the south end was the kitchen, pantry, and residence for the cook, who was usually Chinese; at the end was a communal dining hall for . . . — — Map (db m64244) HM
Near Beach Street east of Cliff Street, on the right when traveling east.
The Boardwalk has a celebrated history of providing beach visitors with the ultimate in thrills and entertainment. This world-class venue featured amazing acts, from the turn-of-the-century water carnival's Slide for Life daredevils and world . . . — — Map (db m183101) HM
On Windham Street at Caledonia Street, on the right when traveling east on Windham Street.
Historic Landmark
1889
L.B. McCornick, Builder
E.E. Underwood House
Residence of LuLu Carpenter
1928-1938
The Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m208459) HM
On Walnut Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Historic Landmark
1921
Fachutar House, Music Shop and Concert Hall
Allen Collins, Architect
Built by Salvator Fachutar and Francess Bagnell Fachutar
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m205168) HM
On Walnut Avenue near Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling east.
Historic Landmark
1934
Fachutar House of Perfume
1934-1936
Site of flower drying for perfume business
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m205166) HM
At the turn of the century, lounging couples covered the beach much as they do today. But the women were fully dressed, and men wore hats and coats. Laws prohibited sitting on the beach in bathing attire.
Today, from bikinis to tankinis, women’s . . . — — Map (db m62816) HM
On Soquel Avenue at Cayuga Street, on the right when traveling east on Soquel Avenue.
Historic Landmark
1923
First National Bank
First Bank on the Eastside
Lee Dill Esty, Architect
Neo-Classical Style
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m208457) HM
On Center Street, on the right when traveling north.
First Services Held in this Church
A.D. June 29, 1864
In acknowledgement of the contribution to the cultural heritage of California represented by this building the California Heritage Council presents this Award of Recognition
1971
Calvary . . . — — Map (db m203257) HM
The Fitzsimmons & Twisselman families have been operating their concessions at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk since 1934. Over the years, Charles J. Fitzsimmons moved from games to retail food. Today, Charles’s grandson, Matt Twisselman, continues . . . — — Map (db m62829) HM
On Seabright Avenue near Effey Street, on the right when traveling north.
Santa Cruz
Gault School
John J. Donovan, Architect
1928
An Excellent Example of the Austere Mission Revival Style
Historical Society Landmark — — Map (db m208462) HM
On California Avenue at Walk Circle, on the right when traveling north on California Avenue.
Santa Cruz County
1866
Geo. Peckner Cash Store
Thomas Beck, Architect
Also built Peckner’s branch store at Pacific and Mission Streets
Historical Trust Landmark — — Map (db m212569) HM
Near Jordan Street south of Escalona Drive, on the right when traveling south.
An intellectual, humanitarian and suffragist, Georgiana raised her family in this house from 1854 until her death in 1887. Born in England and educated in the East by America’s leading thinkers and writers. She brought to California an intellectual . . . — — Map (db m202234) HM
Near Washington Street near New Street, on the right when traveling north.
Santa Cruz County
1860s
German-Methodist Parsonage
(Former John Werner House)
Gothic Vernacular Style
Moved to this site in 1905
Historical Trust Landmark
This Building Professionally Restored
Circa 1990 . . . — — Map (db m205370) HM
The Giant Dipper roller coaster, with its trademark red and white structure, spectacular view of the Monterey Bay, and speedy dips and curves, keeps generations of riders coming back for more.
The Giant Dipper has thrilled over 50 million . . . — — Map (db m62827) HM
Near Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south.
Grove C. Cook, a native of Kentucky, came to California in 1841 as a member of the Bidwell-Bartleson Party, the first overland emigrant wagon train to set out from the United States to cross the continent to the Pacific Slope.
The party was forced . . . — — Map (db m62419) HM
Creating the right balance between old and new rides is key to the Boardwalk’s success. From the 1911 Looff Carousel to the 2005 Double Shot Tower, rides are carefully selected to make good use of space, appeal to visitors of all ages, and always . . . — — Map (db m201648) HM
On Chestnut Street near Rincon Street, on the right when traveling south.
Santa Cruz
Hinds House
1888, Stick-Eastlake
John H. Williams, Arch. Home of real estate developer Alfred J. Hinds
Historical Society — — Map (db m205298) HM
The Santa Cruz City Hall was designed by Charles J. Ryland in the Monterey Colonial Revival architecture style. The building was dedicated in 1938, but was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. The rededication of the refurbished City Hall was . . . — — Map (db m203242) HM
The history of surfing in Santa Cruz can be traced in part to the Santa Cruz Surfing Club, founded in 1936. The following members were among the first in this area to experience the thrill of conquering a wave.
Jim Alumbauch Bill . . . — — Map (db m112987) HM
Near Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south.
Isaac Graham: Born Sept. 1, 1800 in Fincastle, Virginia, was a rough and tumble trapper and mountain man, who wandered the western wilderness. He ended up in 1836 Natividad, California where he ran a Saloon and Whiskey Still.
He organized Los . . . — — Map (db m62438) HM
On Walnut Avenue at Pacific Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Walnut Avenue.
The original building on this site was a two-story clapboard parsonage of a Congregational minister. Chinatown was directly to the south.
The Alta Building Followed. It was erected in 1889 by Fredrick Hihn and was a two-story structure with . . . — — Map (db m212374) HM
On Walnut Avenue near Chestnut Street, on the left when traveling east.
Historic Landmark
1896
John G. Tanner Love Nest
Gift to bride Mollie Bowen
Le Baron R. Olive, Architect
Eastlake Style
The Museum of Art & History
This Building Professionally Restored
Circa 1990 by . . . — — Map (db m205127) HM
On Bay Street at Centennial Street, on the right when traveling west on Bay Street.
Honoring the Italian-American Contribution to Santa Cruz County
Italian immigrants sacrificed and sometimes barely survived to enable their children and their grandchildren to take full advantage of the American Dream. Second and third generation . . . — — Map (db m212508) HM
On Bay Street at Continental Street, on the right when traveling west on Bay Street.
With its natural beauty and rich coastal resources…
Santa Cruz has always attracted a diverse group of people whose cultural roots form the essence of this unique community. One such group, the Italians, have made lasting contributions that have . . . — — Map (db m212511) HM
On Bay Street at California Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Bay Street.
Farming has always been an important economic activity along the North Coast. Agriculture has long been a valuable economic resource for the North Coast. The fog-cooled climate provided an ideal match for artichokes, broccoli, and brussel sprouts . . . — — Map (db m212566) HM
Near Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south.
Here lie the remains of Marie Holmes, a lady of the night, who on the evening of May 5, 1898, met a lonely and untimely end with the quaffing of carbolic acid. Born in England, she resided in San Francisco, Salinas and Watsonville before spending . . . — — Map (db m52359) HM
Generations of kids have enjoyed feeding Leo their litter. He worked here from 1965-2001 before retiring. Leo was fully restored by Boardwalk Maintenance and returned in 2019. The paper-eating lion was designed by Harry J. Batt Associates, operator . . . — — Map (db m201635) HM
On Van Ness Avenue east of Mission Street (California Route 1), on the right when traveling east.
Historic Landmark
1912
Thomas Burns, Builder
Leon & Jeanette Rowland Residence 1929-1977
Santa Cruz Historians
The Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m212576) HM
On Walnut Avenue near Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling east.
Historic Landmark
1877
Lewis and Maggie McCornick House
Master Builder’s First Home
Built as a gift for his bride on their Christmas Day wedding
The Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m205064) HM
On Lincoln Street near Washington Street, on the right when traveling east.
Santa Cruz County
1905 – 1920
Lincoln Court
AN excellent example of Calif. Bungalow Court
Built for Morris Abrams
Historical Landmark
This Building Professionally Restored
Circa 1990 by
Michael . . . — — Map (db m205302) HM
Historic Landmark
circa 1930
Lincoln’s Windmill
Flower bulb shop for Los Robles Farm
Later Buckhart’s Candies Shop
The Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m209461) HM
On Center Street near Laurel Street, on the right when traveling south.
Historic Landmark
1930
London Nelson Community Center
William Weeks, Architect
Laurel Street School, 1931-1974
Louden Nelson Center, 1979-2021
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m205572) HM
Born a slave May 5, 1800 on a North Carolina plantation, Louden (London) Nelson worked the cotton fields until his master, Matthew Nelson brought him to the 1849 California Gold Rush. After securing his freedom, he arrived in Santa Cruz in 1856. . . . — — Map (db m62439) HM
On Mission Street, on the left when traveling west.
In Honor of
Louden Nelson
1800 – 1860
An ex-slave who left his estate to Santa Cruz Schools. He believed in education for all people. — — Map (db m203235) HM
On Beach Street at Riverside Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Beach Street.
Whether you call it a merry-go-round, carousel, or whirlgig, visitors have always been enchanted with the Boardwalk’s oldest ride. At the grand opening of the “hippodrome,” as the carousel and its building were called, one hundred rocking chairs . . . — — Map (db m62814) HM
On Coolidge Drive, 0.2 miles north of High Street, on the left when traveling north.
This building is known as a cooperage. It is where workers built the
redwood barrels used to pack and ship lime. The barrel-makers, or
coopers, assembled and stored the empty barrels upstairs. Once the barrels
were filled with lime from the . . . — — Map (db m183586) HM
On Elm Street near Washington Street, on the right when traveling east.
Historic Landmark
circa 1870s
Matilda Dreher Home,
Greek Vernacular Style
Part of six block farm of pioneer Dreher Family
The Museum of Art & History — — Map (db m205373) HM
On Myrtle Street at Taylor Street on Myrtle Street.
Marker One:
In Memory
of Our
High School Students
Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in the World War
Gift of the Class of ‘23
Marker Two:
Memorial Field
Dedicated May 9, 1924 to the . . . — — Map (db m205172) WM
On Beach Street at Pacific Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Beach Street.
In 1959 Jack O'Neill came with his family to Santa Cruz and opened his 500 square foot "Surf Shop” at this location, just above Cowell Beach. The Surf Shop was O'Neill's first retail store in Santa Cruz, offering custom built foam surfboards . . . — — Map (db m123878) HM
A Brief History
In the mid-1800’s, the Pacific Garden Mall was simply known as “Pacific.” The corner now occupied by the Old Theatre Building contained a picturesque little pond shaded by a mammoth sycamore. Also under the tree was . . . — — Map (db m63268) HM
