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,...
AROMASTORY: The Overlooked History of an Underdog Town

AROMASTORY: The Overlooked History of an Underdog Town

Author Tina Baine is pleased to announce the publication of her book, AROMASTORY: The Overlooked History of an Underdog Town. If you are not that familiar with the rural town of Aromas (pop. 2,500), it sits on the eastern edge of the Pajaro Valley, and its history has...

Celebrating the 4th of July at Lake Watsonville

Watsonville has celebrated 4th of July in many ways. However, imagine this:  in May 1907 the Pajaronian urged Watsonville leaders to take advantage our natural resource: the Pajaro River. It was suggested to dam it up and make a lake for a 4th of July celebration...