Soquel News

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Last revised 4/08

Soquel News
1868 | 1874 | 1883 | 1886 | 1905 | 1922 | 1926 | 1931 | 1934 |
1935 | 1937 | 1939 | 1940 | 1944 | 1964

Santa Cruz Sentinel
February 8, 1868

On motion, Jacob Parsons, F.A. Hihn and T.W. Wright were appointed to view land and locate a road on the west branch of Soquel creek, and report to this board as soon as possible in reference to bridging the creek, etc. Tuesday, February 4, 1868.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
February 21, 1874

Within the past ten days, several newcomers with families have settled in our town. All the vacant houses are occupied and there is a demand for more. Town lots on the east side of Soquel creek have advanced in price. Some sales and exchanges have been made and several new dwellings are in course of construction. A new hotel and store is talked of, and a busy time is anticipated as soon as spring opens.

Boat building
Messrs. Hall and Martin are building a boat eighteen feet in length, to be used on the bay during the summer season, for fishing or yachting purposes, as persons may wish.

A new industry
The Soquel Wool and Leather Company manufactured its first pair of buckskin gloves this week. They are of superior quality, and are gentlemen’s riding gloves. They were presented by Mr. Perkins to Judge Heacock. It is understood here that a large glove factory will soon be established in Soquel.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
March 28, 1874

The livery stable and property of the Caldwell family have passed into other hands. Mr. James West having purchased the whole of the estate, real and personal. He will have a first-class livery stable business in running order within one month.

The Soquel house
Messrs. Pray and Gray of Santa Cruz take possession of the Soquel House on the first of April next. It is to be strictly a temperance house. No liquor is to be sold or used on the premises. David Rice, the present genial conductor, moves to Aptos, in the building formerly used as a store by N. Ames, and will there resume his former business.

Bowman’s ranch store
Mr. Reney is preparing to put up a building on his lot on Main Street opposite the Soquel House, in which Mr. Bowman of Santa Cruz intends carrying on the iron and hardware business, a much desired and required branch of industry here and certain to pay.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
June 20, 1874
The Santa Cruz Railroad

From reliable information we learn that the grading on the Narrow Gauge Railroad from Santa Cruz to Watsonville is progressing as rapidly as economy and means will admit. Some two hundred men are at work with teams south of Aptos, mostly employed in the deep cut, and filling in the adjoining depressions. Parties are at work all along the road as far as the southern boundary of the San Andreas Rancho. The new bridge over the Soquel Creek is rapidly advancing to completion. The stringers and heavy timbers will be sawed at the local mills in that vicinity. As soon as the Pacific Bridge Co. (contractors for all the bridges to be built this year) finish this main bridge, they will proceed next to erect a trestlework bridge over the gulch at Uriah Thompson’s place (Rodeo Gulch), and the Arana Gulch at Wood’s Lagoon. The track laying will commence about the middle of October, and continue until fifteen miles are laid, when the San Lorenzo will be bridged, and the Depot at Santa Cruz built. Already the timber for the improvements are ordered and a portion delivered on the ground ready for framing.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
July 4, 1874

Benjamin Cahoon of Soquel died at ten o’clock Monday evening last. He lived to a good old age, owing to his failing health for the past year, the announcement f his death did not surprise this community. Mr. Cahoon was in the seventy-sixth year of his life at the time of his death. He was a native of New York State, having been born in Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York. He came of old Revolutionary stock, his father and uncles having fought in the War of Independence. His early life was passed in his native state.
He had amassed wealth in Utica where he was a well-to-do citizen when the gold fever of ’49 broke out. He was then over fifty years of age, was the head of a mercantile house, the proprietor of a sawmill, and the owner of a distillery. He was well known as a progressive, go-ahead member of his community, and served the city of Utica for years as one of its aldermen. But the gold epidemic came and Benjamin Cahoon, then in the prime of life, resolved to try his fortune in

THE NEW EL DORADO.

He organized a company of gold seekers, was made President of the party, and sailed from New York on the steamer Panama, on Feb. 17th, 1849. He was accompanied by his son Edwin, then a youth of 19. Like many similar expeditions, that of which Cahoon was the moving spirit disintegrated soon after its arrival on this coast. Each member thereof went his own way. Benhamin Cahoon brought with him ample means and being a shrewd speculator made many successful ventures. He pushed up to Sacramento where he did some rading and added to his means, purchased interests in vessels sailing on the river, ran a lumber yard, loaned money, and in many other ways turned all his opportunities to advantage. He proved himself

A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN,

was always true to his own engagements, and very exacting that others should be equally prompt in their dealings with him. He was a fast friend toward those who he liked and a bitter antagonist once his hostility was aroused toward any one. Fond of litigation, he was constantly involved in lawsuits in nearly all of which he generally came out triumphant. In 1866 he settled in Santa Cruz County, purchasing from his nephew, Mr. Benjamin Cahoon Nicols, the sawmill and ranch, which was his residence at the time of his death.

HIS LATER YEARS

Have not been in any way particularly eventful. He did not take any active park I business, but loaned money the usual rates of interest on sound collateral. He was an admirer of and a judge of good horseflesh. He invariably attended and took great interest I all of the great trotting matches, sometimes himself acting as a starter.

A GRANGER

He was a bitter opponent of all secret societies, but when the Granger epidemic spread over the country he allied with the cause and took a conspicuous part by organizing Santa Cruz Grange, of which he was elected the first Master. Though in his own tie an active middleman, in his declining years he manifested a bitter hostility toward all Middlemen and joined the Grangers Crusade to extirpate the dreaded class.

MR. CAHOON’S FAMILY

Mr. Cahoon’s wife died about one year ago. A domestic estrangement occurred between them before he embarked for California and the two, though not divorced, remained stranger to each other during the last 25 years.
Two older brothers, both over 80 years of age, survive him in New York State. He leaves two daughters and a son. His oldest daughter is Mrs. John R. Whitaker of LaPorte, Indiana, and his youngest, Miss Lucy Ann Cahoon of Kalamazoo, Michigan… Mr. Edwin Cahoon is the only surviving son. His only other relatives in this state are Messrs. B. C. Nichols, U.S. Nichols, and M.T. Nicols, his nephews and “Mrs. Hoff,” his niece.

RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE

On Thursday the Grangers met to attend the funeral…

AT THE GRAVE

The deceased gentleman was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in accordance with his own request. The services at the grave were brief yet appropriate. Mr. D.C. Wardwell, Master of the Grange, conducted the service, and Mr. B. Park Kooser, the Granger chaplain, with the aid of a prayer book, recited the Lord’s Prayer.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
July 4, 1874
The Wheat Crop

One of the finest appearing fields of wheat ever raised in this county is that of Henry Winkle, near Rodeo Gulch, on the east side of the Soquel Road. The wheat stands full height, is very regular and uniform grade, estimated to yield forty bushels to the acre. The wheat sown on the new hill lands of Claus Spreckels, Aptos Ranch, is still better, being stronger in the straw and fuller in the head. Some three hundred acres of this new land, sown to wheat and barley, will probably yield 50 bushels to the acre. The straw is a bright golden color and clean and no smut, cheat, or weeds are visible. The new uplands along the coast prove to be about the best wheat land in the State. On some of the old worn-out lands, along the coast, rust and cheat have nearly destroyed the crop this year, when late sown.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
April 7, 1883

Ed Porter has sold out his Soquel Store to J.T. Harland. Mr. Porter still remains the Postmaster, however.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
June 23, 1883
A Pioneer Fallen

The Pioneers of this county are dropping from the list, and soon when their names are called at the roll call will be the response, “John Hames is dead, dying in the hot, distant regions of Arizona.” The deceased came from the East to the Pacific Coast in company with John Daubenbiss as early as 1841. In Oregon they remained till 1843, when they came down to California. They soon settled in Soquel. Mr. Hmes serving as a Supervisor in 1852 and again in 1859 and 1860. He and Mr. Daubenbiss built two gristmills at Soquel, one for a Spaniard and near where the lower Soquel Bridge is located, and the other for themselves, just above Soquel, and what is now a part of the Soquel Paper Mill. Higher up the Soquel Creek they built a sawmill long known as the Savage mill. The deceased was once a large landowner and taxed as such, but his property took wings acre-by-acre and piece-by-piece till all his gatherings had taken flight and flown. Mr. Hames was seventy years of age at the time of his death and left a family.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
October 20, 1883
Soquel Items

The public schools are now enjoying a two-weeks vacation.

Miss M.E. Baker is spending a few days of her vacation in Sacramento among her friends.

W.P. Chase has gone to Scott’s Valley to do some repairing on a sawmill for Grover and Co.

It is said that Mr. Porter, of San Francisco, is soon to build a large boot and shoe factory here. Good for Soquel!

C.A. Fitch, Jr., our new butcher, who succeeds Mr. Mills here, is doing a good business and giving perfect satisfaction.

One of the wants of Soquel is cheap tenement houses, an evidence that the population of that section is increasing and the place is prospering.

The chair factory which has been built here this summer is now running on full time, employing some 15 men. Have commenced putting the chairs together and painting them. The factory will have a capacity for making 200 chairs a day.

C. Cone came down from Red Bluff a few days ago to join his family here, where they have been spending the summer in this new house. Mr. C. is now building an addition to his house and intends to keep it as a summer residence for his family.

O’Neil Bros. Are storing up 2,000 tons of straw for the paper mill this fall, enough to last two years. The straw is unusually good and free from weeds this year. They have built a new shed 400 feet long, 40 feet wide and 40 feet high and filled it with loose straw this fall; also have a stack nearly as large of pressed straw covered temporarily. The greater part of the pressed straw comes from the Pajaro Valley.

Santa Cruz Daily Sentinel
July 16,1886
Sentinel Jottings

J. Daubenbiss and wife were thrown from a buggy in Soquel on Wednesday, but were only slightly bruised.

Santa Cruz Daily Sentinel
July 16,1886
“THE BRIDGE”
A SCENE OF DAZZLING SPENDOR
Over Five Hundred People Gather on the
New Structure and Listen to the
Music and Address and Partake of the Bountiful Collation
Served by the Ladies
The Ball, Etc.

Fr a long time past the citizens of Soquel and vicinity have urged upon the Supervisors the necessity of a bridge across the creek at the point mostly traveled by those who live on the opposite side, and by the many teams that daily pass that way in coming to Soquel. The proposition was bitterly opposed at first, but finally it was agreed by the Supervisors that if the citizens of that burg would raise $1,000 toward the erection of the bridge, they would furnish the balance of the money necessary for its construction. A few weeks ago two enterprising and enthusiastic citizens of Soquel, Wm. G. Kropf and J.F.J. Bennett, put their heads together and resolved upon making an effort to raise the $1,000. They headed the subscription list with $100 each, and then circulated the same for signatures. The O’Neil Bros responded cheerfully with $100, as did also Geo. Evans and Grover and Co. in like amount, while Messrs. Neilson, John Bowman and J.T. Harlan each subscribed $50 toward the enterprise. The balance of the $1,000 was contributed by taxpayers residing in about Soquel. The subscription list of $1,000 was then handed over to Chairman Daubenbiss of the Supervisors, and through his earnest endeavors and untiring efforts the matter was brought before the board and pushed forward in a speedy settlement. Bids were advertised for and made by a number of bridge builders and the California Bridge Co. succeeded in getting the contract at $2,080. Just four weeks ago last Tuesday the work of construction commenced under the able supervision of F. E. Cotton, who was sent down by the company from San Francisco to superintend the work. The entire length of the bridge is 320 feet, the approach on the east end being curved and 80 feet long, while the approach on the west end is 140 feet. A span, 100 feet long, rests on four upright cylinders two at each end, similar to those of the upper bridge in Santa Cruz. Instead, however, of a wooden, bow-shaped span of the bridge, like there is in Santa Cruz, the one at Soquel is entirely of iron, with, of course, the exception of the wooden flooring, which is of heavy pine timber. A roadway of eighteen feet and a sidewalk of four feet runs the whole length of the bridge. An extra trestle of sixty feet was ordered put in aside fro what the original proposal called for, and this necessitated an additional cost of $330, thus making the bridge as it stands cost $3,310. This structure is noble and beautiful, in appearance far above any in the county, while its durability can not be outdone, as time will prove.

The occasion on last Wednesday on last Wednesday night was a jollification at the successful completion of the bridge, and to dedicate the same in proper form to the free use of the public. Lighted lanterns were strung profusely at all available points, with now and then a flag and red, white and blue cloth intermingling. A large bon-fire was built on the river end, which lighted up the entire surroundings, making the scene on of dazzling splendor. On the bridge by 9 o’clock had assembled over 500 people to listen to the exercises of the evening, Santa Cruz being represented by about sixty ladies and gentlemen, while Aptos, Capitola and neighboring farms and saw-mills turned out in large numbers….

Santa Cruz Daily Sentinel
July 16,1886
CHATTY CAPITOLA LETTER

Work on the railroad bridge at Capitola is progressing as fast as possible under the circumstances. All the work of putting the bridge together, which was to have been done at Aptos, is now done here, and after the framing is all completed it will not take long to raise it in its place. If the railroad company would only construct a foot bridge under the trestle work, it would be a great convenience to many persons, and perhaps have the life of some careless person, as they will walk across the bridge even when the know it is almost train time.

One of the best and most important improvements was finished last week. Heretofore, all the dross, rubbish and lime washing from the paper mill has been run into Soquel creek above Soquel. The sediment settled in the bottom of the creek all the way to the beach, and at low tide the odor from the creek was anything but pleasant. The Soquel Paper Mill has built a large flume from the mill, running down the side of the creek until it reaches the upper part of Capitola, from thence F.A. Hihn has continued in through the principal part of the camp to Nob Hill, just back of the hotel, and then through a tunnel some 400 feet long to the beach, some distance below the bathing place. The is a continuous flow of water night and day, whether the paper mill is in operation or not, so that it is flushed at all times, making it one of the most perfect systems of sewerage in the state.

Santa Cruz Surf
September 8, 1905

There is always something doing here worth mentioning in this future suburb of Capitola, which is to be on the main electric between the beach and Capitola Park.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
May 2, 1922
Trout Limits Caught on Opening of Season

Never were so many outside people on the Santa Cruz County streams as the opening day of the trout season.

Autos loaded with people came down to the mountain resorts and cottage after cottage was occupied by those who came Saturday and Sunday so as to be ready early Monday morning.

Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Glen Arbor, Mount Hermon and other places had many trout fishermen in the cottages
.
The dismissal of Santa Cruz, Soquel, and country schools caused the streams in every section to be lined with fishermen. Chief of Police Hannah got the limit yesterday a sort distance from his own door… Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dake, George Dennett and H.D. Hall motored to Soquel reek, and in a short time from near the paper mill four had the limit….

Santa Cruz Morning Sentinel
May 4, 1926
Soquel Briefs and Personals

Three o’clock in the morning, was the time many Soquel alarm clocks had been set to by the devotees of fishing last Saturday morning, and Soquel Creek was pretty thoroughly gone over. Ninety of the schoolboys and girls were out bright and early, and fifteen acknowledged to catching the limit. Some wonderful fish stories were recounted to their teachers Monday morning. Some almost unbelievable. The fishing was not confined to the youthful element, as many men and women were getting good catches. One of the schoolboys had a ten-inch trout of which he was very proud.

Friday is Field Day at Soquel, and as about 500 attended last year, and most of the schools invited are planning on coming 100% strong—as large a crowd will probably be on hand this year. The boys are working hard on the school grounds—getting the basketball court ready, and the baseball diamonds and a horseshoe court. Visiting players of the last named are asked to bring their own horseshoes. Lorin Cox, and eighth grade boy, has attained great proficiency in “barnyard golf.” Adult players are also invited to join the horseshoe games. The women of the PTA are planning to feed the hungry crowd. Mrs. Jennie Delaney, chairman of the “hot dog” booth, has ordered 1500 of them and 1500 rolls to enclose them…

Mr. And Mrs. Horatio Angell have gone to Big Basin for the summer, where Mr. Angell will again be connected with the general store…

Santa Cruz News
November 27, 1931
Mayor Foresees Soquel, Capitola As Part of Santa Cruz

“I believe the time will come when Soquel and Capitola will petition to be included in the city limits of Santa Cruz,”declared Mayor Fred W. Swanton, addressing the city council.

The prediction came in discussing the proposal to extend the mains of the Santa Cruz municipal water system to a reservoir on Parrish hill above Soquel from which to supply residents of the two communities.

Extension of the mains, which already serve a large area east of the city limits, as a means of providing employment, has been advocated by Mayor Swanton.

“I have a letter from Howard Wright, manager of the bank at Soquel,” said the mayor, declaring that there is no individual or corporation there prepared to enter into a contract for water for the whole community. “As Soquel is neither an incorporated village nor has any organization as a water district there is no one with whom the Santa Cruz water system can enter into a contract. Should the water mains be extended there now the city of Santa Cruz would have to be the distributor to each home.”

Santa Cruz Evening News
March 10, 1934
Old School at Soquel to be Razed by CWA
Actual Work to Start Monday; Grounds Will Be Improved

Official word from the directors of CWA (Civil Work Administration) work in Santa Cruz was received yesterday by the trustees of Soquel Union grammar school that the trustees request to have the old school building razed as a CWA project will be granted, and that actual work will begin next Monday Morning.

The old building will be torn down and school grounds put in condition. The Soquel Creek bottom will be cleared out and stumps of trees will be removed.

W.W. Wurster, architect from San Francisco, who is drawing tentative plans for the proposed annex to the new school building met with the board of trustees at the school yesterday. Much preliminary work has to be done to meet state requirements.

The trustees have decided to erect a temporary building for a cafeteria and the first and second grades will be given space in the school auditorium. The manual training department, which is located in the old building, will proably be discontinued during building operations.

The plans for building include two classrooms and a cafeteria added to the new building.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
June 14, 1935
Soquel Church is “Shot Up” Again for the Movies

Soquel Congregational Church has been featured in “movies” several times for its quaint New England architecture, white steeple and setting beside the roadside, appeals to companies seeking out-of-the-ordinary things.

Yesterday morning the Fox Company sent a unit out to Soquel to take some exteriors for ‘Way Down East.’ Several local persons were selected to appear in the scenes. Among them was Mrs. Agnes Deering, a well-loved Soquel pioneer who has attended this church for a great many years. She rode in an old-fashioned buggy driven by Frank Health. Theodore Hopping, in long-tailed coat and high silk hat was a minister entering the church, and members of the congregation were Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. Lloyd Pringle, S. Harriet, and Mrs. Frank Heath. Parker Archibald rang the church bell, calling the people to worship.

Mrs. Pringle and Mrs. Duncan were standing back of the sightseers watching the operations. When a manager of the company approached them they started to go farther away thinking they were in the way. The man called to them, asking if they would appear in the church scene. The dresser furnished them with some old-fashioned dresses and hats, and they were soon part of the church-going company.

After finishing the ‘shots’ in Soquel, the unit hastened out to the covered bridge on the Glen Canyon Road, where they completed some scenes they had commenced earlier this week. The company left for Hollywood on its special train last evening at 9:15.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
June 12, 1937
Soquel Cherry Men Will Ship Bings In Week
Price is $2.25 Per Lug; May Barrel Some At Soquel Plant

A group of Soquel cherry growers, who met at Porter Memorial Library last night, decided to begin shipping Bings through Nash de Camp, of San Francisco, for eastern shipment in 16-pound Campbell lugs, F.O.B., present price about $2.25 per lug.

Most of the members of the Soquel cherry growers and several interested non-members agreed to try out the proposition.

Another prospect is that of a San Jose concern which proposes barreling Royal Anns at Soquel, perhaps using the local facilities of the apple dryer.

Tarts at seven cents and Bings at eleven cents promised a slightly improved market.

Santa Cruz Evening News
July 24, 1937
Soquel Gets Convention of Nudists
Naked Delegates from All Over Coast to Hold Three-Day Meet

Soquelites—some eager, many apprehensive—awaited today a September influx of some 200 naked visitors to their region for a three-day convention at the Sun-Tanner’s Resort, formerly Montecito Springs, a few miles outside their town on the Old San Jose Road.

From Los Angeles, Hobart Glassey, bronzed leader of western sun bathing societies, today called the convention of Pacific Coast nudist groups for the Soquel resort on September 11, 12, and 13, the Associated Press confirmed.

At the convention, he said, will be discussed problems of individual groups, standards of membership, finance, public relations and other matters affecting nudism, and there will be interclub games.

Is Beta Chapter
Glassey, a Syracuse University psychology graduate, is president and founder of Fraternity Elysia, which has a nudist resort in a secluded canyon about 20 miles from Los Angeles. He recently chartered the sun tanners of Soquel as the Beta chapter of Fraternity Elysia, first incorporated nudist group in the west.

Galley and James W. Curl, head of the Sun Tanners, entered the charter agreement to link up the nudist movement in the west and to make it possible for members of one resort to visit the other without formalities. Curl is a deputy sheriff and chamber of commerce member in his community.

Eleven Groups
In announcing convention plans, Glassey said 11 active nudist groups in California, two in Washington and one each in Oregon and Colorado are expected to send delegates.
“All these groups report memberships ranging from 30 to 200,” he said. “It is difficult, however, to accurately estimate the number of sun bathing devotees in the west. Reports are constantly coming in of small private groups and of individual nudists who go into the hills and out on beaches but are not officially registered.

From Colleges
“That they number many thousands may be assumed as a fact.”

Enrollment at Glassey’s 40-acre resort, which has ranch houses, volley ball courts and a swimming pool, is largely of business and professional persons—75 percent of them university trained—who like to come out and cast off their clothes.

Curl’s 82-acre sunny terrace farm in the big redwoods has attracted nearly 50 families not counting random nudist visitors.

Soquel Press
June 2, 1939
Alice Pellegrini To Rule Cherry Festival Activities
Clayton H. Wright Is To Officiate

Following is the final count of votes for queen of the Soquel Capitola Cherry Festival:

Alice Pellegrini, 11721
Evelyn Reite, 11, 310
Mary Louise Lovitt, 5,577
Lorraine De Motte, 5,315
Mabel Swan, 3,805
Margaret Bourriague, 3,515

The following names are of the girls who were close contestants in the race: Evangeline Rogers, Sue MacDonald, Evelyn Peterson, Margaret De Motte, Lorraine Hayford, Sue Mello, Dorothy Palmer, Helen De Motte, and Glen Palmer.

Queen Alice Pelligrini was born in San Francisco, and moved to Soquel about seven years ago. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Pellegrini and sister of Irving “Lefty” Pellegrini. Her hobbies and interests are: swimming, tennis, and collecting photographs.

Friday afternoon, the Cherry Festival will have its opening with the Grammar School Program.

Friday night, Alice Pellegrini will be crowned Queen of the Cherry Festival to rule over all activities for the three days. Clayton Wright, president of the Chamber of Commerce will have charge of the affair which will be held in the Capitola Ballroom in Capitola.

Saturday there will be concert by the County Junior Band and motion pictures will be shown at the Fair Grounds. The committee of three that have worked so hard and have given most of their time to the Festival Grounds are Henry Hockenbeamer, Fred Curl, and F.W. Swall.

Sunday a Mutt Show will be held. Contestants with their pets will meet in front of the Dance Hall and will parade along the Esplanade. Harlan P. Kessler will be in full charge of the contest. A prize will be given for the best pet, as well as one for the ugliest.

Soquel Press
August 1, 1939
Soquel Pioneer Club Formed at Picnic Saturday
Mrs. H.V. Angell Named First President

The Soquel Pioneer’s Club was organized Saturday afternoon at the fourth annual old-timer’s picnic held in Pringle’s Grove with 54 of the 115 present becoming members. Membership is made up of persons born here 50 or more years ago or having lived here for that period of time.

Officers elected included Mrs. H. V. Angell, president; Ed West, vice-president; and Mrs. Julia Collins, secretary-treasurer.

Oldest member of the new organization is Mrs. Agnes Deering, who while not a native of Soquel, has lived here since 1871. Next oldest member and oldest male resident is Frank Daubenbiss, who has lived here since 1881.

Former residents from points as far north as Portland, Oregon, and as far south as Los Angeles attended the organization meeting.

Annual reunion date of the club has been set for the last Saturday in July, 1940. The meeting will annually take the form of an old-fashioned basket-lunch picnic and will be held in Pringle’s Grove, which site then bearing the name of Hihn Grove, was the center of Soquel area social activities in the early days. Special events, such as Independence day and other holidays were then celebrated at the grove with mammoth barbecues, band music and dancing.

Among those attending were the Rev. and Mrs. George Wilbur of Portland, Oregon. Rev. Wilbur was pastor of the Soquel Congregational church 30 years ago. Mrs. Wilbur is the former Miss Hattie Nutter of the Nutter family, which has been prominent here for many years.

Skuyler Peck, his wife, Mattie Green Peck, and his sister, Nellie Peck, represented the Peck family, associated with early history here.

Others included Mrs. Mary Nutter, born here and until the past few months a resident continuously for many years; Mrs. Roy Hibberd, Mr. And Mrs. George Plum, Ben Parrish and Seth Ryder, all of pioneer Soquel families. Mrs. Mary Hart Grodhaus, born here and the last of 12 children came from Gilroy although her health condition required the attendance of a nurse.

Santa Cruz Evening News
March 12, 1940
Soquel Plans Enshrining of Ancient Relic

A relic which may be used as a community theme around which to build publicity, was discussed last night by the Soquel-Capitola Chamber of Commerce when it met last night.

The old relic, a huge millstrone, may be transported from its present location nar the vinegar works to a place of honor in the center of town. Clayton Wright, secretary, stated that it was hoped the stone will bring forth hidden history of the area.

Lloyd Pringle, Soquel postmaster, states that the stone was used either by Indians or by the Franciscan Padres. The stone was owned by Ed Noble before his death, and now by Mrs. Y.C. Lawson.

Soquel of today is included in the old Castro rancho. The rancho made use of the millstone. Wright indicated that it might be placed in the Soquel churchyard.

Cherry Festival
The question of whether the Cherry Festival will be held again this year is still pending, it was said last night.

The Cherry Growers’ Association, Francis Swall stated, will not take the festival over.

An offer of Joe Reite to enlist Mountain Farm Center’s support was accepted. He will report next month.

Al Young explained a procedure by which the Soquel Boy Scout Troop could obtain a meeting place.

Alex Stidham was instructed to investigate the facilities available at the Soquel grammar school. Harvey Edmund suggested the Scouts meet at the school. Edmund is Scout Council finance committee chairman.

Chamber directors agreed to aid in pushing a fire control meeting to be held in the Soquel grammar school on April 5 under the auspices of the farm center. Jay Harris presided over the session.

Soquel Press
July 23, 1940
Mrs. Kropf
Pioneer of 1885, Dies

Mrs. Francis Kropf, resident of Soquel for 55 years, died Saturday in the Mission hospital in Santa Cruz, at the age of 84.

She had been an inmate of the hospital for two years, since she suffered a broken hip in a fall in her home.

The death of Mrs. Kropf serves as another tie of present day Soquel with its picturesque past. She was the widow of William Kropf, who, as “Billy the Barber,” was one of the community’s prominent citizens for several decades.

Mrs. Kropf, a native of New York, was Mrs. Stevens when she and Mr. Stevens came to Soquel from Nevada City in the middle eighties. After Mr. Stevens’ death she married Mr. Kropf, also a native New Yorker, who had just come to Soquel from New Jersey in the seventies.

Mr. Kropf, whose barber shop in Soquel was in Tom Mann’s hotel, on the site of the concrete building now owned by Lloyd Pringle just east of Cunnison’s garage, became owner of a considerable tract south of the highway and west of the river.

When Mr. Kropf died on March 22, 1923, his widow sold the home on Porter street and moved into a small house fronting on the highway, which was one of Soquel’s early residences. It was occupied in the sixties by John T. Porter, an early day saloon keeper of Soquel who later was elected sheriff. It is said to have been built by Porter.

In the old dwelling Mrs. Kropf made her home for many years. The house was several feet below the level of the highway and the founds suffered almost annually from high water. Three years ago in a flood the water rose over Mrs. Kropf’s floor but she refused to leave and took refuge on a bed from which she had finally to be carried.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Kropf were largely instrumental in the erection of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Soquel Press
July 23, 1940
Pioneer Club To See Flag Here in 1876

A flag made in Soquel and first flung to the breeze on July 4, 1876, the nation’s centennial, will be on display at the picnic of the Soquel Pioneer Club next Saturday afternoon at Pringle’s Grove.

The flag was made by the women of the family of Freeland Grover, who lived in the house on north Main street now occupied by Art Morgan, and was flown there on the Fourth of July celebration of 64 years ago.

The old flag, all handwork, will be brought to the picnic by one of Soquel’s pioneers, Mrs. Lillie Bibbins of Santa Cruz, who was Lillie Grover of Old Soquel.

Freeland Grover, her father, was one of three brothers, who had a mill up Glen Haven Way, where the name Grover Gulch is still applied to the site. Later all three brothers moved to Santa Cruz and erected three homes in a row on Walnut avenue hill opposite the present high school site. Only one still stands.

Attendance at the picnic, and the flow of reminiscence, promises to be larger than last year, when the club was organized. Mrs. Julia Daubenbiss Collins of Capitola, secretary, and Mrs. Horatio V. Angell of Soquel, president, are daily receiving notice from former Soquelites from many parts of the state that they will be present Saturday…

Soquel Press
July 23, 1940
The site of the First Sawmill

The site of Soquel’s first sawmill has been located by two boys of the 1870s who remember the big timbers of its dam.

The mill, built by John Daubenbiss and John Hames for Martina Castro and her Irish husband, Michael Lodge, was on the east side of the Soquel river opposite the present school grounds.

Daubenbiss’ deposition, still on file in the Santa Cruz Courthouse, related that he and Hames rode through Soquel in 1843 and visited Michael and Martina Castro Lodge.Two years later they returned and built a sawmill for them.

California became American territory and both Hames and Daubenbiss went off to the fighting around Los Angeles, abandoning the mill, which was operated by Martina’s brother, Guadalupe, until it was washed out late in 1846.

In 1848, Daubenbiss and Hames returned to Soquel to press a claim for construction of the mill.

They found it gone and another built.

The new mill, Daubenbiss said in his deposition, was “across the river and a half a mile up stream.”

The site of the new mill later became the paper mill site.

Until the two boys who played on the Soquel River over 65 years ago located this week the place where they crossed the river on the timbers below their old swimming hole, no record has existed of the exact location of the original Soquel mill.

The two boys of the ‘seventies are Alfred Bowman of Santa Cruz and Peter Curran of Soquel.

Bowman came to Soquel in 1877, when he was five years old. His father, a tinsmith with a store where Henry Grossman’s store is today, lived in a house on the bank of the river on what is now the school grounds, where a palm tree today marks the front yard of his residence, which fronted on the old road which crossed the river there.

In the same house, under previous ownership, had been born in 1868 Peter Curran, son of James Curran, a Soquel teamster.

Close by the Bowman house was the stables with their back toward the river, Just back of the stable was a heavy timber, perhaps two feet square according to the recollection of the pair, with its ends embedded in the banks. Other smaller timbers below it they believe were relics of the tail way of the dam.

The timber crossed the river a few hundred feet blow their swimming hole at the bend of the stream on the present school grounds.

On the little flat on the east bank must have been the little mill and its yard.

Near the site, a little up the hill toward the Averon home, was in the eighties and nineties a tiny cottage in which lived Martina Castro Lodge in her last days, until she was removed to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Averon just before her death. A few hundred feet to the south stood the cottage in which lived Lambert Clements, the dapper Irish son-in-law of Martina who was Soquel’s justice of the peace off and on during the fifties and sixties.

Santa Cruz Sentinel
September 26, 1944
Willbanks Purchase Historic Angell and Son Store in Soquel
Angells Operated Store for 57 Years
By Laura Rawson

With the sale of the F. A. Angell and Son store in Soquel this week to Ray, Earl and Jack Willbanks, property which dates back to 1856 changes hands. Old timers are tracing its history with interest, for this is the first time in 57 years that an “Angell” will not be a member of the old-time general merchandise store.

Ray Willbanks has been an employee of the store of 15 years, and is well and favorably known throughout the Soquel-Capitola area.

His two brothers will join him in carrying on the same type of business for which the store has been known for nearly 60 years.

History of the pioneer store is interesting, for it is one of the oldest stores in the county, as well as in Soquel.

David Brownstom owned the property on the corner of Soquel highway and Porter avenue (those were not the names they then bore) in 1856 and it was purchased by Ed Porter in 1858. It became the property of F.A. Angell in 1887 and it bore the name, F.A. Angell and Brother, as Horatio Angell was associated with his brother. The post office was located first in the Porter store and later in the Angell store.

Central County News
July 15, 1964
By Mrs. Frank Forward

When the Soquel Pioneer Club holds its annual picnic on July 25 at Pringle’s grove in Soquel, the site will be enhanced by a new memorial flagpole. The flagpole, with its granite boulder and bronze plaque is a gift of the Lodge sisters of Soquel in honor of their brother Michael Lodge III.

The sisters, Louisa, Julia, and Carrie Lodge are surviving members of Soquel’s oldest family and are great-granddaughters of the former Martina Castro and Michael Lodge I. It was Martina Castro Lodge who in 1834 was the recipient of the Martina Castro land grant which with the subsequent Soquel Augmentation grant totaled some 37,072 acres and encompassed most of the land drained by Soquel Creek.

The Pioneer Club’s historic 37 star flag, which was presented some years ago by Mrs. Lillie Grover Bibbins and which was made by her mother many years ago when there were only 37 state in the union, will henceforth be for display purposes only….