Watsonville Live Cam

Watsonville is a city located in Santa Cruz County, California, USA. It has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Here's an overview of the history of Watsonville:

Early History: The area that is now Watsonville was originally inhabited by the Ohlone and Yokut Native American tribes. Spanish explorers arrived in the late 18th century, and the land eventually came under Mexican rule. In the 1830s, a Mexican land grant known as Rancho Bolsa del Pajaro was established in the area.

Founding and Development: Watsonville was founded in 1852 by Dr. John H. Watson, a physician and postmaster, who laid out the town. The city's early economy was primarily based on agriculture, with crops like apples, strawberries, and lettuce being grown in the fertile Pajaro Valley. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1871 further boosted the town's growth and facilitated the transportation of goods.