About this site

This site and historical research were put together by Scott Tucker and is mainly a continuation of Marion Smeaton’s History of Bracken Brae which I received when I purchased my house at 445 Hazel Brake. Marion Smeaton owned 511 Hazel Brake in the 1960’s and put together a 100 page history including the names of the original owners and builders in Bracken Brae. Without this document, Bracken Brae’s true history could have been lost forever.

Technology has allowed me to back up this history with access to vintage newspapers including the Santa Cruz Sentinel which has every back issue starting in the 1860’s available online for free. Santa Cruz County has far more historical information available than other areas.

I was surprised to find that most county records of build date of the houses in Bracken Brae were incorrect. As a matter of fact it looks like most of the build dates of houses in the San Lorenzo are incorrect. No permits were required prior to the 1906 earthquake and build dates were recorded only when the house was remodeled. My house was built in 1905 but county records say 1931. I know that 1905 build date is correct because the houses construction was announced in the paper and I have a postcard picture of it postmarked 1908.