By John Hibble When and why did the railroad come to Santa Cruz County? Who built it? What has been its impact and what will it mean to our future? Setting the Stage In the early days, travel between Monterey and Santa Cruz might be by foot, horse, ox cart, horse drawn wagon, or buggy. […]
The Sea Breeze Tavern of Rio Del Mar
By John Hibble One of the few remaining icons of the lux Rio Del Mar Resort and Country Club era is the Sea Breeze Tavern building on the Esplanade at Rio Del Mar beach. Before there was an Esplanade, the location was part of an estuary where Aptos Creek joins the Monterey Bay. In 1875, […]
A Royal King visits Aptos
Written by John Hibble There are many wonderful stories about the history of our community. Some of them are true, some not-so-much, and some of them just need debunking. One of these stories/myths is about King Kalakaua of Hawaii staying overnight at the Bay View Hotel. Supposedly, His Majesty was coming to visit Claus Spreckels […]
Out with the Old and In with the New
Discover the Chinese Trash Pit, Aptos Village
George Porter and his Tannery by John Hibble
A tannery once occupied the land where Temple Beth El stands today just west of Cabrillo College and a piece of that tannery still remains.
Hideout Reopens
Egyptian and Greek mythology, and the Harry Potter fantasy series, refer to a Phoenix bird that dies by bursting into flame and is then reborn from its ashes. Therefore, phoenix would be a good description of the Hideout restaurant at 9051 Soquel Drive in Aptos. The Hideout is the latest restaurant incarnation in a historic building that dates back to 1927
When Will They Ever Learn?
Carolyn Swift and I interviewed Ralph Mattison when he was 97 years old. Ralph’s father died of the influenza leaving Ralph to take over the family’s apple dryer and vinegar business in Aptos Village.
EARLY SCHOOLS OF APTOS
by John Hibble The more things change, the more they remain the same. Today, a school impact fee is charged to developers and home builders to support local school districts. During the early years of statehood, Aptos land owners donated land and paid for the building of the first schools. Rafael Castro, the first owner […]
Aptos Bridges
It was considered the most dangerous spot on the Santa Cruz-Watsonville Road and was known as “Death Curve”
Redwood Village
One of the many gems that make Aptos different than anywhere else is Redwood Village, hidden in a redwood grove across Highway One from Deer Park Shopping Center. Today it is a small commercial center, but it started out as one of California’s first motels.
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