The rich and colorful history of Ben Lomond comes alive in the second of a three-part lecture series, “Tales of Ben Lomond, Gem of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Part 2” on Saturday, March 22. Doors open at 9:30am and the presentation begins at 10am sharp at Park Hall Community Center on Mill Street in downtown Ben Lomond.
Although being Part 2 of a series, this presentation is a stand-alone, new installment titled “Mountain Outpost to Thriving Town: Visionary Businessmen and Everyday Heroes – 1890-1940.” The engaging presentation, which includes many historic photos from the collection of local historian and Realtor, Ronnie Trubek, will describe how Ben Lomond evolved from a small logging community dependent on the train that brought summer visitors to establishing a vibrant community with a library, riverside park, public hall and a firehouse.
“This is an exciting period in Ben Lomond’s history as affluent Bay Area residents crowded into the new elite hotels while locals created businesses to accommodate the visitors, as well as provide services for residents,” Trubek said. “In the early 1900s, our fledgling community evolved from being centered on logging and the mill to embracing the newly mobile population that flocked to the Santa Cruz Mountains for recreation.”
The presentation will feature an intermission, with concessions available by donation. Tickets are available at benlomondvillage.org/events or parkhall.benlomond.org, as well as at the door, if available. Attendees are encouraged to get their tickets early as Part 1 of the series sold out.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ben Lomond Village Alliance and Park Hall Community Center. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with Ben Lomond’s storied past while supporting two important local organizations.
Park Hall Community Center, nestled in the heart of Ben Lomond, was dedicated by indenture deed in 1923 to the citizens of Ben Lomond living within a mile and a half of the hall and has been a cherished community-owned gathering space for over a century. As a beloved landmark, it continues to be a hub of activity and tradition. Visit parkhall.benlomond.org for details.
The Ben Lomond Village Alliance is a community-driven organization dedicated to fostering collaborative, volunteer-led projects that enhance the infrastructure and preserve the historical heritage of Ben Lomond. Through events, beautification efforts and educational initiatives, the Alliance works to create a thriving and vibrant environment for residents and visitors alike, while honoring the town’s unique history and character. Go to benlomondvillage.org for more.
