Watsonville Plaza Revitalization

Watsonville historian Betty Lewis wrote “Don Sebastian Rodriguez owned the land grant, Bolsa del Pajaro, on which the city of Watsonville now rests. Some historians say he gave the area now known as the City Plaza to the people of Watsonville in 1860, but Sebastian...
PVHA History

PVHA History

For the last 170 years, the Pajaro Valley has been an opportunity for many different immigrants to improve themselves. Most came with a little except for the desire to make a better life for themselves and their families. The Pajaro Valley was a place where immigrants...
History of Watsonville First UMC

History of Watsonville First UMC

The Methodist congregation in Watsonville was established in 1852, when Rev. D.A. Dryden preached in a grove of cottonwoods and conducted a marriage ceremony on the banks of the Pajaro River.  This was believed to be the first American wedding in the Pajaro...
Bockius-Orr House Up in Lights

Bockius-Orr House Up in Lights

Bockius-Orr House Up in Lights By Jodi Frensley Please be sure to drive by the Bockius-Orr house to see our holiday lights display. This year marks the first in PVHA history that the house and historic oak trees will be lit up for the holiday season. The outdoor light...
Stephen Bankhead’s Writings

Stephen Bankhead’s Writings

Stephen Bankhead’s Writings Stephen Bankhead, local resident and writer, passed away in February 2022.  His articles and opinion pieces appeared regularly in the Pajaronian and Sentinel. After his death, his family donated many articles that Mr. Bankhead wrote,...