Voted the Worldā€™s Best Seaside Park

Grandma Van on the Beach, 1906

The back of my great-great grandmother’s photo reads: “Today the 21st of February, 1906, I, Ellen Rand Van Valkenburgh, born in Maiden Lane, New York City, June 14, 1827. Came to California in November 1851. Was married to Henry Van Valkenburgh in July 1853 who was a native of Kinderhook, New York State and came by sailing vessel around the horn in 1849. We lived in San Francisco till December 1861 when we moved to Santa Cruz. In January 1862 my husband was killed by a falling tree. I have made Santa Cruz my home ever since and think it is about as nice a place to live as any.”

Linda

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