Phillipshurst-Riverwood
a.k.a. Blake Hammond Manor
CA 9, Ben Lomond, CA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The first McDonald's restaurant was opened in San Bernardino, California in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald. The fast-food chain went on to become one of the most successful in the world.
In 1769, the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá led an expedition that explored the area, claiming it as part of Spain's territory. The Spanish introduced agriculture and Catholicism to the region, establishing several missions along the coast, including Mission Santa Cruz. However, the arrival of the Spanish also had devastating effects on the Ohlone population, as they were forced into labor and exposed to new diseases.
During the mid-19th century, Santa Cruz County experienced a gold rush similar to the one in the Sierra Nevada. The discovery of gold in the nearby mountains led to a population boom, with miners and settlers flooding into the region. However, Santa Cruz's gold rush was short-lived, and the population soon shifted to agriculture and logging, taking advantage of the fertile soil and abundant forests.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Santa Cruz County became a popular tourist destination. The availability of steamboat travel and the development of railways made the county more accessible, attracting visitors from all over California and beyond. With its stunning natural beauty, including the famous seashores and redwood forests, Santa Cruz County has since become a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, surfers, and nature lovers.
Overall, Santa Cruz County's history is marked by a mix of indigenous culture, Spanish colonization, resource exploitation, and tourism. Today, it stands as a vibrant coastal community that embraces its past while continuing to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and desires of its residents and visitors.
Santa Cruz County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Santa Cruz County, California.
- 1579 - Sir Francis Drake lands on the coast
- 1791 - Santa Cruz Mission is founded
- 1822 - Mission Santa Cruz is secularized
- 1848 - California becomes part of the United States
- 1850 - Santa Cruz County is established
- 1866 - Santa Cruz Boardwalk opens
- 1901 - Construction of Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf begins
- 1904 - Roaring Camp Railroad is established
- 1906 - The Great San Francisco Earthquake severely damages Santa Cruz
- 1940 - University of California, Santa Cruz is founded
- 1970 - Loma Prieta earthquake causes significant damage to the county
- 1990 - Santa Cruz Skateboards, a famous skateboarding company, is founded
- 2018 - Santa Cruz County celebrates its 170th anniversary