Skyline Historical Society

To research, preserve and disseminate history of the South Skyline area of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

South Skyline, as defined by the South Skyline Association, includes parts of three counties: San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara. The area runs along Skyline Boulevard from Route 84 in the north to Black Road in the south and along feeder roads such as Old La Honda Road, Page Mill/Alpine Roads, Route 9 and Black Road for a few miles. It does not include the town of La Honda.

The current focus of the SHS is on the writing and publishing of a high quality book on the history of the South Skyline area. The scope of the publication is broad: from the Ohlone Indians through the present day commuters and hikers. The emphasis is on human history, but also includes some information on the natural environment. There will be a number of historic photos and maps to illustrate the text. Information is being gleaned from a variety of sources, among them, interviews, diaries, public records, old newspapers, as well as other local history publications. (see outline below)

Volunteers are welcome for all aspects of the publishing project. If you are interested in providing historical information, doing research, writing or editing, contact Janet Schwind. If you are interested in producing maps and graphics or preparing for publication, contact Dick Schwind. People with expertise in the editing and publishing and printing processes are particularly needed.

Much of the basic research has been done, but we need to fill in some holes.

We would like to know more about the Alpine School which was located near the junction of Alpine and Portola State Park Roads - dates, description, stories of pupils, photos, etc. Also, we would like to contact some old-timers whose families lived in the Alpine and Old La Honda Road areas.

We'd like to interview folks who lived in or visited the South Skyline area in the 1920s, 30s, or 40s, including those who had summer cabins. Old photos are particularly desired.

Who were the first commuters to the Santa Clara Valley? Where did they live and work?

Here is an outline of the projected chapters of the Local History Project publication:

1. Introduction and Map
2. Geology: Faults
3. Native Americans
4. Spanish and Mexican Eras: Russian cannon, Rancho Corte Madera, trails
5. Timber Harvesting: Early mills near Windy Hill, Oil Creek, Deer Creek, Beatty Slide
6. Roads before Skyline Boulevard: Old La Honda Road, Spanish Trail, Pescadero Mule Road, Alpine Road, Page Mill Road, Saratoga Toll Road, Black Road
7. Early Ranchers and Settlers: Orchards, vineyards, dairies, characters, Central School, Fairview School
8. Inventors, Prospectors, and Entrepreneurs: Hallidie's wire ropeway, Law's elixers, gold, silver, oil, Pick Lab., magnetometer
9. Building of Skyline Boulevard: Great old pictures
10. Commuters and Communities: Las Cumbres, Indian Rock, Portola Heights, Jikoji, SSA, SSVFD, WWII
11. Flower Children: Aquarian Valley, Pacific High School, The Land
12. Parks and Open Space: Castle Rock, Santa Clara County, MROSD
13. Conclusion--What Might Have Been: Railroad, freeway, national scenic parkway, motorcycle park, subdivisions