Forbidden Universe
Paranormal => The Paranormal & Ghost Society => Topic started by: AngelOfThyCosmos on May 01, 2018, 04:44:36 PM
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Day 4: Our Amazing Journeys In Santa Cruz California Report April 24th 2016
This report is a continuous segment of our journey in Santa Cruz and while I did this adventure a couple years ago I still remember it very vividly. As a matter in fact I try to remember every location I visit because every single one of them in my book is relevant especially historically even if its just a brief report.
We were on our 4th day of the adventure I was starting to feel sheer exhaustion as the day before I spent it at the Henry Cowell Redwoods, Bigfoot Museum, Roaring Railroad Camp, Felton Bridge, The Mystery Spot, Court Of Mysteries, Natural Arches Beach and Evergreen Cemetery. The 4th day was a little more relaxed for me but it still would require visiting two major historical sites one being the Santa Cruz Memorial Park Cemetery and the second being Misión la exaltación de la Santa Cruz.
I fell they are both are important sites I mean the mission alone dates back to the 1700's when the Spanish had arrived exploring California's coastline. However, the cemetery dates back to around the mid 1800's and is Evergreens sister graveyard. I consider them to be both places of energy, history, culture and even haunting's.
I have to say Santa Cruz is a really amazing city its full of paranormal hot spots, mysteries, beautiful beaches, historic sites and this would be our final day here. Not final as in forever but these two locations would wrap up the last of our expedition. Ill tell you what I needed my caffeine fix because I was so tired from the night before and I cant sleep because I have to stay up all night charging equipment.
We would check out of our hotel it was so so they failed to give us an extra bed as requested for my son. But for the price and location it was not to bad as I was only about a mile from the cemetery so I merely only needed to stop across the street get some donuts and coffee then get ready for another awesome day which also included driving along the California Coast and even petting sharks at the local aquarium.
Santa Cruz Memorial Park Cemetery
This is a gorgeous place right along the San Lorenzo River which makes it a prime spot for nature. When I had arrived and parked within the cemetery there were deer grazing, squirrels eating nuts, flowers everywhere and nature was very abundant here. To be honest with you half of the reason I do what I do is to get out in nature. I love seeing wildlife especially when you do not expect it and when I came here I did not expect to see as much nature as I did so close to downtown Santa Cruz.
The cemetery was erected in 1862 not as old as Evergreen Cemetery that we went to the evening before but no less this does not make it any less historic. As a matter in fact when the cemetery was first erected it was owned by the Impendent Order Of Odd Fellows and they purchased this very land we were on. The I.O.O.F. was similar to that of the Masons a fraternal group which often was found throughout the west.
The cemetery has many notable interments which ill discuss more on our website in depth along with some of the haunting's here. But some of those western historical figures are Georgiana Bruce Kirby, Fred Swanton, Mary McDermott, Henry and Marion Meyrick, Joseph Smallwood and Frederick Hihn just to name a few. Then we have one of the most infamous white lady of Santa Cruz which is said to haunt this cemeteries grounds.
Many of the gravestones are that of children who died in the summers of 1876 and 1878 from a Diphtheria epidemic. So when you walk through the graveyard you tend to see children ranging from under a year old all the way up into their teens. Despite how great of a city Santa Cruz was death came knocking at peoples doors here which just shows you how hard it was to raise children in the wild west because the threat of disease and illness loomed constantly.
If you journey to the south section of the cemetery there is this towering pedestal and monument that looks as it has a large urn on top draped with a carved in stone cloth. But it represents the thirteen men who died when the California Powder Works had exploded in 1898. As a matter in fact the powder works was not to far from here and the explosion shook the city of Santa Cruz.
I absolutely love all the trees, birds and their are quite a few crypts as well here. I am so excited to add this location onto our site because its one of my more precious intriguing cemeteries. While parts of Evergreen Cemetery are in peril the memorial park is in really great shape. I seen a few broken stones some cracked due to earthquakes and a few laying on the ground. But for the most part their are hundreds of pioneer gravesites fully in tact and in fairly decent shape.
Besides the river behind the cemetery so are the foothills to the Santa Cruz Mountains so this is also a very pretty place. That is why today its called a park because its pretty common for locals to come up here just to jog or sit on a bench under a tree. I had a Doe laying on the grass just watching me as I was walking around taking photos.
Also on site is The Mission Chapel it has Spanish Architecture and even a red tiled roof. I did not check out the chapel believe it was closed. But many of the niches found here are those who died in more recent years. My prime focus was the pioneers and grounds of the memorial park. No less the chapel is still very intriguing to walk around at.
Their is a place also called the Mariposa Gardens I guess this is a little newer but it has ponds, flower gardens and little paths you can take. It is divided into four sections the Family Estates, Creek Side Boulder Estates, Spanish Fountain Plaza and the Granite Monument Niches. I was so intrigued with the nature here I spent a little more time with my camera capturing it. They have this lion fountain with four lion heads that spew water from their mouths its really stunning.
This is one of these places that I could talk about or I could just show you so with that being said I prefer to show you. I did get some EMF readings within the cemetery so I do believe that it could be haunted. The cemetery has tales of love and loss some people died tragic deaths while others were victims of Murder. Santa Cruz at one time had more serial killers then anywhere in the country just like Alfred Hitchcock wrote some of his masterpieces here.
When we were done with the cemetery I took a ride along the coastline as a matter in fact I had somehow gotten lost because I took the wrong road while trying to visit the Seymour Marine Center. In between Memorial Park and the Holy Cross Church I wanted to take a break have some down time. So we did tour the marine center petting starfish, sharks and getting to interact with marine biology it was pretty awesome. They even had a massive skeleton of a blue whale and other whale species.
Once we were done having fun at the local marine center and enjoying the views from the top of the cliffs of Santa Cruz Beach we would head on off to our final destination in Santa Cruz for the day which would be Misión la exaltación de la Santa Cruz and prior to that a nature hike at the Arboretum.
Misión la exaltación de la Santa Cruz
& Holy Cross Catholic Church
We begin the second half of our day at the Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanical Gardens which is now situated on what is now the campus of the University of California. This is one of the most favorable horticultural sites in the world containing over 300 plant families which include flowers, trees, bushes and foliage from every part of the world. Their are plants from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and even throughout California locally. Some of the plant species are extremely rare you wont see them anywhere else unless you travel abroad.
The land these garden reside on once was owned by Henry Cowell. That name pops up often in Santa Cruz as you recall I visited the Henry Cowell Redwoods Grove nearby. It is nice when I can do credible research connecting the dots so their is more purpose to our journeys and why we choose such given locations. The Arboretum had its first official start in 1964 which started off with about 90 species of eucalyptus. But in 1967 founding Chancellor Dean E. McHenry formed the Arboretum and the Plantations Committee to advance the project. Today it not only serves those who enjoy nature walks along with plant life but also for students to learn about horticulture on campus.
I wanted to visit the arboretum before I visited the Mission Of Santa Cruz. When I do my paranormal investigations or explorations I like to throw in bonus locations. Extra places so that when your on our website you get to see some other cool stuff whether that is nature or scenery. Since were dealing with such a beautiful historic church I felt that botanical gardens would be a nice addition to go along with the mission on our website. The work we do we do because we care we want our viewers to be proud of what we do and take pride in preservation of such sites.
I had a great time at the arboretum plus proceeds keep this place funded so I did not mind paying to get in. I also had gotten to walk through a butterfly garden and well if you know me then you know I have a deep love for butterflies. Their are trails you can take through various gardens honestly this arboretum is one of the most extensive collections in the world. I seen flowers and plants that I never even knew existed some were so exotic looking others were vibrant full of colors. I did take photos of many of the flowers for the website.
With that being said we moved on to the massive hill known as Mission Hill in Santa Cruz where it all begin. At one time the only thing that stood in California were missions which often were built to spread Catholicism especially with the local natives. The mission was founded in the later 1700's its the oldest historic site in Santa Cruz built by man. But over the years fires, raids, renovations, restorations and newer buildings have came to be. But the land itself the mission sits on was the site of some of the first explorers to have reached the west coast from Spain.
When I arrived here a massive wedding was taking place inside the Holy Cross Church so this really deterred the project a little because I did not get to investigate the church. I even waited till after the wedding where everyone had cleared on off and the priest had locked down everything right after. So I was a little sad about not being able to check out the holy cross. But this church can be seen from nearly all over Santa Cruz as it sits on a tall hill near downtown.Of course this lead to the pueblo town of Branciforte in the later 1700's.
Behind the church is a small graveyard burials begin here in 1791 through 1850. I had a hard time trying to read any of the gravestones they were crumbling and in pieces. The fact remains that it is one of the oldest cemeteries in the state of California so another reason for my visit to the church ground. I read that the cemetery was much larger and when construction took place many of the remains in 1885 were interred to the other nearby Holy Cross Cemetery where they were buried in a mass grave. The graves that were left in tact more then likely were relevant historic figures who served the mission such as priests who devoted there lives to the Holy Cross Church.
Near the graveyard is a protected remnant of the mission church foundation wall behind the current Holy Cross Church. I was excited to see the wall because of its age I mean when you think about it when the Spanish arrived here the only people that lived here were local Yokut and Ohlone Indians. They lived off the land in some huts, bark houses etc. Then the Spanish arrived building massive churches, missions and pueblo buildings. This wall was the first of its kind in the region it was the first wall the natives would have ever seen as prior to this they had no idea what a church even was let alone walls, gates or pueblo structures.
Besides the wall the only other Mission Building on the grounds that is left is a long multi-room structure which housed local Indian families. I did not get to tour this building because when I arrived they were getting ready to close everything on up. Whatever happened to churches always being open to the public? I guess those times are long gone and strangely it was still early in the day I believe around noonish when we were here.
I was however lucky enough to check out the New Mission Dolores well sort of new. The first Mission had been swept away in a flood the lady at the museum told me and the second one crumbled during an earthquake so for about 75 years all that remained were walls on the property besides just the church. Thus in 1931 a copy or replica of the old Mission was built in its place donated by a lady who paid for the entire project. When I went into the Mission I was glorified by it felt like you were in an old Spanish Mission because it felt like stepping back into time.
Their were wood crosses on the walls, biblical paintings one of them depicts the rapture and perhaps the big battle between heaven and hell. Their are candles lit everywhere and Latin writing on an archway above the alter. Three statues behind the alter very old ones I thought they were creepy and Jesus on a cross that hung on this pole. Their was dark benches throughout and of course wooden pews. A balcony above the entrance to the Mission where probably an organ goes and holy water in these giant stone chalices at the entrance. One of the paintings depicted a priest holding a skull in his hand I thought that was a bit dark. I also seen a painting of an arch angel I believe it was Michael maybe Gabriel!
Their also is the Doyle Memorial with urns, flowers, plaques etc. As a matter in fact it appears to be two gravestones in the flooring. I seen a plaque above them as well which I had taken the time to read the history. Despite the fact the mission is not big you can find history here if you take a time out to do research and read what is around you. Also you can light a candle but it cost money religion nowadays is a business that is what is tragic despite that I am not a believer or have faith I do value the church. I hate seeing the church become a tourist trap and honestly the Mission is one sort of. Kids were running around climbing pews and of course you had me standing at the alter giving a sermon to everyone.
The ceilings were somewhat high their was four chandeliers imagine back in the day having to climb on a ladder just to light candles because this place did not always have electricity. They had flowers also inside at the alter and a few other areas. Their was no stained glass just very small rectangular windows on the side walls and one above the balcony. They tried to make it like the original so when you walk inside you feel like your in the original Spanish Mission. Unfortunately the lady at the gift shop told me I had to go but I had some alone time here to try to investigate at least.
I did not have time to look around the museum but they do have robes, chalices for wine and other really nice artifacts if your into that sort of thing. I felt a bit rushed here so most of my investigation and research was done outside. When I was wandering the grounds I found this gravestone that said in memorial to all those buried on these sacred grounds. Technically or truthfully I should say their are unmarked graves all over the grounds to this parish. This was a cemetery the mission sat in the middle of it! Kind of morbid huh? You have to think outbreaks, death, chaos and peace all have coexisted with one another on this hill.
I seen some other really haunting building on site as their are quite a few. In front of the church their is a town park it also has plaques as the Holy Cross overshadows it. This guy dressed nicely at the park started talking to me. Honestly, I forgot what he said to me but we talked for a bit I believe he was homeless or mentally impaired either way I am not judging. He says to me one day your going to see that Ill be famous and will have my photo the guy was a character so I took a photo of him at the park per his request and he is right he will end up on our website because my journeys are not just about the places I go but also the people I meet along the way. I told this guy I am Lord Rick and explained to him a bit about what I was doing .I I think he wanted me to make him famous not sure I would want fame my only goal is to promote the work we do sharing with you history, solid paranormal research and a few good times.
I walked all around the church the views of the Santa Cruz Mountains are nice but the one thing that is special about this place is the flowers. I made sure to photographically document all of them because were also going to have a nice nature or section called Church Flowers or something to that effect. I did not get to see everything but their are courtyards and quite a few other things to see on Mission Hill. My exploration was brief and although I seen so much it would never be enough many of the buildings are old and places like these tend to be haunted. I would have loved to see more but we still had a journey up the Pacific Coast to San Francisco plus checking on into the luxurious Sheraton which I got a sweet deal for so I could not wait.
I also read about a train tunnel at the bottom of Mission Hill called the Yesteryear built in the 1800's. At one time three different railroads utilized the tunnel. Their is supposedly a newer tunnel now being used but the old one is abandoned, dark, creepy and when I found out about this it made me wonder that when I go back to Santa Cruz if I should make sometime to walk through it as it goes right under the Mission. I was kicking myself for missing it sometimes when you do research later down the road you find out more facts or things you may have missed. Mission Hill is no small hill I mean its not just a hill with a church their are houses, businesses etc overlooking Sacramento and the ocean.
No less I find this to be a fascinating historic site it offers the mission, train tunnel, church, historic park and a museum which boast robes worn by the first missionaries who came to California to declare California a territory of Spain. I was just happy to be a part of it and I do not think were done here. Id like to go back to check out more sites out this way there is just so much. But to spend a few days adventuring in Santa Cruz taught me so many things and that is this is a strange area but also an area that contains so many gems. I mean with sites like The Mystery Spot, Court Of Mysteries and this Mission on a hill where the dearly departed remain buried forgotten really makes Santa Cruz one of the more stranger cities on the California Coastline and that is not even all of it. But the Mission was the last of our projects in Santa Cruz for awhile.
Now my journey would focus on our fifth day on a place called Angel Island in San Francisco which has a military fort, quarantine station, hospital and a bunch of other really awesome historic sites. I was stoked to get on the boat and spend a day on that island but boy was I tired. Before I left Santa Cruz we did eat lunch at Jack in the Box not the best experience. Their was four young people sitting in the lot loitering smoking crack two women and two guys. Plus they messed up my order I believe and it was just really busy food was not that great. The Jack In The Box here is not like that its all fresh, hot and you do not see a parking lot filled with people hitting crack. I was kind of shocked because they did not seem to care was looking and cops were driving by like it was nothing too.
The coastal drive was really nice I stopped at this look out point above the San Fran Bay Actually its the Sutro Baths and Land's End area to take some shots of us. The first time I was here I was investigating a fort and I ran out of daylight so we never had gotten them for the baths project we did. The Baths were the largest swimming pools at the time in the world built right along the coast each day filling up with ocean water then being pumped out to keep the water fresh. It was an engineering marvel believe me and today all that remains are ruins. But the views of the bay are really nice and boy those winds were whipping.
I had a nice dinner down on the Wharf also then later that night my son went swimming and I sat outdoors next to a nice roaring fire. This was the second time I have stayed at a Sheraton its kind of pricey for anything here so I will not eat here or even get a snack. But it has a workout room, fire pits outside, heated pool, Jacuzzi etc so I can deal with that lol. I just drank a beer out by the pool under the stars and relaxed. It was a day filled with nature such as flowers, birds, aquatic life and in between a historically haunted cemetery and a mission on a hill which dates back to the 1700's.
I am quite fascinated with the coastline of California its riddled with history, mystery, lore, UFOs and of course missions like this were built right along it 26 in total from the bay all the way south into Santa Cruz. Very few of them stand or are preserved so I felt lucky to have gotten to see a stone wall dating back to over 200 years ago built by the Spanish or robes that priest had worn crossing the stormy ocean to get to the new world. I seen plenty of nature and day five of the journey was spent delving into some wonderful historic sites like Santa Cruz's Memorial Park a gorgeous cemetery and the burial grounds of The Holy Cross.
People often have no idea that these missions and theological sites are a part of our wild western heritage. Some of the first men who braved California came from Europe in large galleons then set food into an entirely different world eventually building small pueblo towns, missions and ranches. Most of it has been lost but Misión la exaltación de la Santa Cruz still exist today even if most of it has been lost some remnants still stand today including the old missions long house which provided shelter for the local natives while they converted to Catholicism. With that being said we would be up first thing at sunrise because we had a ferry to catch to Angel Island which will appear in our Day 5 Report and the final leg of this awesome project. One thing that is going to come with this is flowers where there is darkness there also is light!
Peace,
Lord Rick