Section
13 stories in 2026
Turns 100 Years Old
During the “Roaring Twenties,” the towns of Alma and Lexington were thriving. Lexington Reservoir didn’t exist, and Los Gatos Creek flowed freely. Pacific Coast Railroad trains steamed…
By Debra Staab · September 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 9
Bringing Fruit to Market
Adolphus Rapp began farming in the Summit area in 1904. Here’s a glimpse at 12 months at the Rapp orchards on Skyland and Adams roads. Winter work. In September, a cover crop of vetch was…
By Lou Rapp · August 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 8
Mountain History Barbecue
Mark your calendars for the annual Mountain History Barbecue on Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Mason-Taylor Ranch, 22849 Summit Road. Enjoy a delicious barbecue…
By Roger Mason · July 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 7
It’s not unusual for people to choose a beautiful and serene location for their retirement, perhaps a location like the Santa Cruz Mountains. That is the plan that Reverend James Richards…
By Debra Staab · July 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 7
Let’s have a bit of fun reviewing the backstories and origins of some local place names. Here is some background: Beehive. The Beehive refers to a hill between Mountain Charlie Gulch and…
By Debra Staab · June 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 6
In early May, we had an opportunity to attend the Monterey Sportscar Championship at Weathertech Laguna Seca Raceway. I have never been to a car race in my life, but after just one…
By Kathy McKinney · June 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 6
Lost Town of Loma Prieta — A History Presentation and Tour
Paul Karz and Ryan Ortiz from California State Parks will share the history of the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park on Thursday, May 7, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Loma Prieta School Forum…
By Roger Mason · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
In 1776, the Anza expedition brought Spanish colonists and settlers to our area. When Napoleon Bonaparte toppled the Spanish Crown in 1808, Spain’s hold on its colonies diminished. Within a…
By Debra Staab · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
Urban Putt
Most of us have putted our way through the tried-and-true holes of a mini-golf course, like windmills and loop-dee-loops. For a different and modern take on miniature golf, we decided to…
By Kathy McKinney · May 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 5
The Father of Los Gatos
The life of J.W. Lyndon truly epitomizes the “rags to riches” story. John Weldon Lyndon, the eldest of seven children, was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1836. The family moved to Vermont in…
By Debra Staab · April 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 4
Loma Prieta Avenue has served the Summit area for over 150 years. The road is just north of, and parallel to, Summit/ Highland Road. The avenue starts at Summit Road just west of the Summit…
By Debra Staab · March 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 3
John Martin Schultheis (pronounced shool-tize) and his wife Susan Byerly Schultheis were major contributors to the early development of pioneer life in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The couple…
By Debra Staab · February 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 2
Drinks all Around. The Pacific Coast Railroad brought hundreds of strong- muscled Chinese and caucasian workers to the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1877 to build a railroad tunnel at Wright’s…
By Debra Staab · January 2026 · Volume MMXXVI, Number 1