Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District

The Cooperage (where barrels were made) was originally almost twice as long as it is now. Part of it was removed in the early 1960s to make way for Coolidge Drive. Siding from the part removed was then used to fill in the east end. In 1998 the east end collapsed in a storm. Here, workers are installing a temporary wall with plywood siding to close off that end of the building.

The annual Santa Cruz County History Fair was a big success. We enjoyed sharing our collection of historical photos and unusual artifacts. We also passed out copies of the new walking tour brochure. About 30 societies, museums, and libraries with local history collections participated. Many thanks to the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park for hosting this year's fair. And thanks to the many volunteers and participating groups who helped make this such a fun and educational event for people of all ages.

Today is the day! See you there.

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works participating in 2024 History Fair on Saturday, May 18 Be sure to stop by the Friends table at the Santa Cruz County History Fair on Saturday, May 18, from 12 to 4 p.m. Historical organizations from around the county will showcase artifacts, photographs, publications, and have hands-on activities.

History Fair tomorrow, May 18th. Come by and say hi! Details in the comments.

History Fair tomorrow May 18th. Come by and say hi! Details in the comments.

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works participating in 2024 History Fair on Saturday, May 18 Be sure to stop by the Friends table at the Santa Cruz County History Fair on Saturday, May 18, from 12 to 4 p.m. Historical organizations from around the county will showcase artifacts, photographs, publications, and have hands-on activities.

Join us at the History Fair Saturday, May, 18th!

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works participating in 2024 History Fair on Saturday, May 18 Be sure to stop by the Friends table at the Santa Cruz County History Fair on Saturday, May 18, from 12 to 4 p.m. Historical organizations from around the county will showcase artifacts, photographs, publications, and have hands-on activities.

Exciting news about the Cowell Ranch Cooperage restoration project!

Preserving the past, embracing the future An anonymous gift to UC Santa Cruz will help restore the historic cooperage building as a vibrant community hub and new campus gateway

Cowell Lime Works Historic District.

Have you read our most recent newsletter? Link in the comments below.

Back in 1898 the Cowell lime kilns were touted as a tourist attraction along with Capitola and the Big Trees grove. These are the kilns near the UCSC campus entrance, and there is still a fine view of Santa Cruz from the nearby Coolidge Drive overlook.

We did it! Thanks to your generous support we exceeded our fundraising goal for UCSC’s Giving Day. Our updated walking tour brochure should be ready in the Spring/Summer of next year. Thank you, thank you!

Today is Giving Day at UCSC. We are updating our walking tour brochure and would love your support! Donation link in the comments~

Today is the Day! Thank you for your support. Link in the comments~

We are updating our walking tour brochure. Support us during UCSC’s Giving Day event. Link in comments blow. Exciting things ahead!

We are updating our walking tour brochure. Support us during UCSC’s Giving Day event. Link in comments blow. Exciting things ahead!

Many thanks to the San Lorenzo Valley Museum for organizing this year's Santa Cruz County History Fair, which was held in Felton. Several hundred people enjoyed the exhibits and lectures. The Cowell dump truck was especially popular with children.

Come see us at the Santa Cruz County History Fair!
Newsletter:https://limeworks.ucsc.edu/newsletter/issues/lkc-spring2023.pdf

Read our current newsletter!https://limeworks.ucsc.edu/newsletter/issues/lkc-spring2023.pdf

This Spring come to the admission free Santa Cruz County History Fair on Saturday, May 13, 2023, hosted by the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.

The event will take place at the Felton Community Hall from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Felton Community Hall is located at 6191 Highway 9.

There will also be several special history and genealogy talks given at the Community Room of the Felton Branch Library located at 6121 Gushee Street.

The Capitola Historical Museum will have a display booth inside the Felton Community Hall, so stop by and see us.

So far other participating organizations include:

Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County (GSSCC)
History Forum
Santa Cruz Public Library
Researchers Anonymous
Santa Cruz MAH
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
Watsonville Public Library
Scotts Valley Historical Society
UCSC Special Collections
Native Daughters of the Golden West
Otter B Books
Santa Cruz County Human Rights Commission (SCC HRC)
Santa Cruz Family History Center
Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District
Quail Hollow County Park
Santa Cruz Archaeological Society
Santa Cruz County Family History Center
Soquel Pioneer Historical Association

Read about life at the lime works in our current newsletter: https://limeworks.ucsc.edu/newsletter/issues/lkc-fall-2022.pdf

The Friends are continuing to add interpretive signs in the Historic District. A new sign was constructed for the Cardiff Shed, and the sign for the nearby Cardiff House was moved to a new location. The house was built in the 1860s for the Jordan family. The age of the shed is unknown, but it is certainly from sometime in the late 1800s.https://limeworks.ucsc.edu/newsletter/issues/lkc-fall-2022.pdf

Mystery Kiln. This small lime kiln on the upper part of the UCSC campus is quite different from those near the campus entrance. It is much smaller, has three instead of four doorways, and is lined with native stone instead of firebrick. When it was built and who built it remains a mystery. Judging by its design and location, however, it probably dates from the 1850s.

It's hazelnut time! Our local hazel shrubs are producing nuts. This native plant with its soft, fuzzy leaves, likes the shade of our redwood forest. Hazel wands are very flexible and were harvested in the late 1800s for making hoops for lime barrels. The nuts look and taste like the ones in stores, but are generally a little smaller. Good luck getting some before the squirrels eat them all.

Volunteers recently measured and documented one of the historic worker cabins in preparation for eventual restoration. The age of the cabins is unknown, but the oldest known photograph of them is from circa 1910.

Join us Saturday for a free walking tour with Frank Perry!
https://limeworks.ucsc.edu/

Great day at the History Fair! Thanks to all the folks who came by, and thanks to all our fabulous volunteers for your dedication and time.

The History Fair Participants.

The Santa Cruz County History Fair is tomorrow, May 14th!
See you there!
https://limeworks.ucsc.edu/newsletter/issues/lkc-spring2022.pdf

See you there! https://limeworks.ucsc.edu/newsletter/issues/lkc-spring2022.pdf
https://www.santacruzmah.org/events/sc-history-fair

Friends of the Cowell Lime Works Through a new partnership between the Friends and Mobile Ranger, you can now tour the Cowell Lime Works Historic District via your iPhone or Android mobile device. The tour is illustrated with contemporary and historic photographs and includes updates and new stops not on earlier tours. To download....