Davenport is perched on cliffs approximately 90 feet above sea level and 10 miles north of the city of Santa Cruz. The Swiss Italian dairymen who settled on the north coast of Santa Cruz County in the 1860s quickly adapted to raising cattle and farming in the surrounding fields. This thriving agricultural area began with dairies and then quickly expanded to include niche crops like artichokes and brussels sprouts. Surrounded by rich lime deposits, Davenport was, at one time, the largest cement producer in the nation. This book is an excursion through the history of this intriguing area of California.
Author Alverda Orlando is a historian and retired librarian. During the 35 years she lived in Davenport, she collected many hours of stories and pictures from old-timers and is devoted to bringing the stories of the area to light. Author Sally Iverson moved to Santa Cruz from Minnesota in 2016. She became interested in local history through her work at Wilder Ranch and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Author and nature photographer Ed Dickie, a California native, has lived in Davenport since 1999. For over 18 years, he has captured the beauty of California’s diverse nature and landscapes.