Discover the Fascinating History of Watsonville and Pajaro Valley!
If you’re interested in the history of Watsonville and Pajaro Valley, you’ve come to the right place. Established in 1940, the Pajaro Valley Historical Association preserves, interprets and promotes the history of the diverse cultures that shaped California’s Monterey Bay area. The Bockius-Orr House has been our headquarters since 1997, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our Archive houses a historical treasure trove for the community. Plan your visit today and learn more about the history of Watsonville and Pajaro Valley.
A trip To Uzbekistan
Inez and I had been studying the history of the Silk Road and were fascinated by all of it. So, we decided to visit Uzbekistan which was at the center of the Silk Road and this is a condensed version of our travels.
Christmas at Bockius-Orr
The Bockius-Orr house is boasting its Christmas lights in the house, trees and yard. The party dresses, toys and other memorabilia are on display until January. If you plan to visit, be sure to call or email for holiday hours.
Then and Now – Main Street
There is a lot to learn from comparing old photos with what a place looks like now. For instance, in these two photos of the intersection of Main Street and Freedom Boulevard, almost none of the buildings visible in the 1970s image are still there
Our Mission
The Pajaro Valley Historical Association (PVHA) strives to preserve the history of the Pajaro Valley, which spans portions of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties. Collections include books, manuscripts, newspapers and other printed materials, historic posters and photographs, maps, several hundred oral histories, and historic materials related to agriculture, business, local schools and government, local organizations, and local families. We also have extensive collections of men’s and women’s clothing, spanning decades of fashion from the 1860s to the present.