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Archiver > NORCAL > 2000-09 > 0969492592


From: "Carolyn Feroben" <>
Subject: Re: Interesting article
Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2000 16:29:52 -0700


Hi Roberta-

Another reference for your research is _In The Beginning, A History of The
Paradise Park Site_ compiled by Thomas Reedy and Alice Reedy. It includes a
wonderful history of the California Powder Works-

There are still some remains in Paradise Park of the old mill. It is
beautiful property.

Best, Carolyn
-----Original Message-----
From: <>
To: <>
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: Interesting article


>My husbands ggrandfather was in charge of the "Powder Mill Wharf" in the
>Santa Cruz harbor in the 1860's. The mill itself was located in "Paradise
>Park" close to Felton. It regularly had "explosions"; sometimes minor,
many
>times major. The powder was then floated down the San Lorenzo River, on
>which the mill was located, and to the bay at Santa Cruz. It was then put
>onto wagons, and the wagons transported the blasting powder onto the wharf
>and then offloaded onto the sailing ships. The "smokeless powder" was
>manufactured for the Civil War. Because of the location of the mill, not
>only were explosions a menace to production, but some winters the San
Lorenzo
>river would flood and do more damage to the mill. According to the book
>"Santa Cruz County: Parade of the Past" by Margaret Koch, "the Powder
works
>provided jobs for 150 to 275 workmen, and for 50 yrs. was Santa Cruz' main
>industry." The mill was eventually sold, and production was moved to
>Hercules in Marin county, close to the SF bay. Margaret's book contains
many
>old photos of Santa Cruz during the late 1800's, including the Powder Mill
>Wharf.
>Roberta
>
>

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