The Museum's summertime exhibit celebrating the history of the Brown Bulb Ranch and Dairy, the development of Forty-First Avenue, and Capitola's Annual Begonia Festival.
by Carolyn Swift - former Director, Capitola Historical Museum
A Soquel tall tale involves a man of the pioneer era who tried to hock
his footwear for a pint of whiskey at a local saloon.
He asked the proprietor if he could "soak his boots." When the saloonkeeper grumbled, "You go and soak hell," the reaction tickled the bar patrons so much they applied the name of Soquel to the saloon, the ground it stood on and the entire surrounding township.
by Carolyn Swift, Director, Capitola Historical Museum
Much like small towns everywhere, Soquel gave its first streets and landmarks the names of early settlers, many of whom have descendants who have lived locally for generations. Acknowledging this tradition, Mark Szychowski lightheartedly introduced the three speakers at the Soquel Library's Pioneer Family Night on September 18, 2002, as "two streets and a bridge."
by Carolyn Swift - former Director, Capitola Historical Museum
Founded in 1874 by Soquel farmer Samuel Hall, Capitola was established near the wharf at the mouth of the Soquel River. Initially, the camp was an event rather than a place, existing for merely a few weeks in July. Its amenities were a planked stage floor, a livery stable, a stack of tents, and, by the second season, a string of tiny cabins and a crudely built dance hall.
Flamboyant and graceful, Peggy Slatter Matthews was the championship swimmer who set the stage for the Capitola Begonia Festival back in 1950. She did so at the same moment the newly incorporated City of Capitola was getting its feet wet with the effort to build a new municipality.
by Carolyn Swift - former Director, Capitola Historical Museum
While Capitola newcomers usually savor the historic setting of the village and the beauty of the seashore, the returning visitor might find time to wander through some of the side door neighborhoods along the edges of the community.
These resort attractions and residential subdivisions have their own legends adding to the richness of local lore and Capitola history.
by Carolyn Swift - former Director, Capitola Historical Museum
For years, Capitola has billed itself as the oldest resort on the Pacific Coast.
The city has probably kept the title because no one has challenged it. Resort cities do exist that are much older, but these were initially established as missions, pueblos, or presidios rather than vacation destinations.
Local History
The Santa Cruz City/County Public Library. More than ninety articles on Santa Cruz County history. Many are illustrated with historical photographs. You can search the files, e.g., for articles that refer to Capitola -- Click on Search: Local History
Scotts Valley History Web
Historical topics. Historical photographs. From Scotts Valley Historical Society
