June 11 – August 21, 2022
Stroll back in time as you explore the history of Seabright Beach, once called Castle Beach, in this special exhibit. Historic photographs, souvenirs, artifacts and more will bring to life the heyday of the Scholl Marr Castle and look at how the nearby coastline has changed over time.
“Castle Beach” has been known by many names, and has attracted people to the shore for many reasons. This uniquely sandy beach along the Monterey Bay was once an outlet for a tidal lagoon, and has been used by locals as a place to gather resources, recreate, and learn. Just as the ways that people have used this beach have changed, the beach itself has transformed over time. What will the future hold for this iconic shoreline?
A Brief History of Castle Beach
Pre-1790s
Mission Period
Mission Santa Cruz is built and local Indigenous groups are forcibly moved into the complex.
California Land Owners
The Woods and Pilkington families establish large farms across today’s Seabright neighborhood.
The Railroad
The train comes to Santa Cruz and a stop at the engine house on Railroad Ave. (Seabright Ave.) brings tourists to the neighborhood.
Camp Alhambra
Thomas Pilkington creates Camp Alhambra for vacationing tourists, and a few years later operations are turned over to the Hall family.
Camp Seabright
F.M. Mott buys land from the Woods family, which he later turns into Camp Seabright, named after a location on the Jersey Shore.
Residential Development
Thomas Pilkington develops first residential subdivisions in the neighborhood.
Incorporation
Seabright is incorporated by the City of Santa Cruz and a permanent pedestrian walkway is installed alongside the railroad bridge over the river.
Carnegie Library
The Seabright Library opens across from the beach and the Seabright Crafts Society is established with headquarters in the old Tyrrell house behind the library.
Seabright Saltwater Baths
The Scholl family buys the Seabright Saltwater Baths property which included a popular snack shack and beach rentals.
Scholl Marr Castle
Louie Scholl builds the Castle at the entrance of the beach after the snack shack was heavily damaged by a storm.
Museum Moves to Seabright
The Museum (then the City Museum) moves to the Tyrrell Crafts House. Twenty five years later, it moves into the Seabright Library.
Casa Del Mar
The Castle property leaves the Scholl family and it is renamed the Casa Del Mar.
Harbor Built
Construction begins on the Santa Cruz Harbor, forever changing the shape of the nearby coastline.
Castle Demolished
The castle is demolished after 30 years of serving the Seabright neighborhood and visitors from afar.
Building Habitat
Groundswell Ecology begins coastal enhancement project at Seabright Beach.