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Boulder Creek, the northernmost of the communities spread out along the river, is thirteen miles north of Santa Cruz at the junction of Bear Creek, Boulder Creek, and the San Lorenzo. Each of the communities along the length of the river valley has a fascinating and colorful history. Early settlers struggled with a lack of access and suitable transportation for timber. The original trusty oxen were replaced by wood burning donkey engines. Eventually a 13 mile long flume built from Felton to the headwaters of the San Lorenzo River carried lumber for more than 10 years. A road along the river was completed in 1868, and the railroad began to run from Santa Cruz to Felton in 1875 and from Santa Cruz to Boulder Creek by 1885. Most of the Valley's timber had been cut by the early 1900's, and by 1915 all of the large companies had stopped logging there. However, the rich soil remaining when the trees had been stripped provided opportunities for farmers. And the increasing transportation options developed for the logging industry made the Valley more accessible to "summer people" who enjoyed coming to the valley for its Alpine shade and cool temperatures. The scenic beauty of the redwood groves remains as an important attraction to this area. The redwoods which line the Valley now are second growth trees which have repopulated the hills once stripped bare by loggers. Residents take as much advantage of the natural beauty and recreational opportunities as the summer visitors do. The information above was obtained from the article "Focus on San Lorenzo Valley," which appeared in The Coastal Homes Supplement, Volume 16, #14 - July 23, 1996. Author: Sally Wing. How much do you know about the San Lorenzo watershed? |
