Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island (Valdez Cave, Quava Valdez, Tres Bocas, Valdez Anchorage, Valdez Harbor) is located on the north side of the island, well to the west of Lady’s Harbor. The place name C. Valdaze appears on the June 1882 U.S. Coast Survey map Pacific Coast from Santa Monica to Point Conception, including the Santa Barbara Channel, California, J.E. Hilgard, Superintendent.
Cueva Valdez was a favorite anchorage and camping location during the first few decades of the 20th century, and several artists, including Edward Borein, Lockwood deForest and Alexander Harmer camped and painted here. Its main attraction is its large, three-entranced cave which can be entered from both the beach as well as from the water. During the formative years of the film industry, movie companies found this location ideal for filming. This place name appears incorrectly as Cueva Valdaze on the Santa Cruz Island Sheet B topographic map. When the island was partitioned in 1925, this location was included in Tract No. 3 appointed to Delphine A. Caire.
Vessels wrecked in Valdez Harbor include Irene (1907).
- 1987 Poe, David and Craig Willis Cueva Valdez (p. 4-6) October 1987
These photos were probably taken by P. V. Reyes, Avalon photographer who was on the trip.
The originals are in the California State Library.
- Catalinans visit Cueva Valdez, 1904
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904 
1904
_1904.png)
_1904.png)
_1904.png)
_1904_.png)
- Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island 
Cueva Valdez , Santa Cruz Island 
Cueva Valdez beach, Santa Cruz Island 
Cueva Valdez interior, Santa Cruz Island 
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island 
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island, 1905 
June 1912
trip with M. Erro aboard Charm, Capt. Henry Short
Valdez Cave looking east,
Santa Cruz Island
E. L. Dresser, Commercial Photography
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island, 1922 
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island, 1922
- Cueva Valdez in Post Cards
No. 3710
Van-Des [sic], Santa Cruz Island, near Santa Barbara, Cal.
M. Rieder, Publ.
postmarked Dec. 28, 1906
[original in SCIF archives]
62868
Pacific Novelty Company
postmarked Aug. 9, 1909
[original in SCIF archives]472.
Valdez Cave looking east, Santa Cruz Island
E. L. Dresser, Commercial Photography
[original in SCIF archives]
771-
Valdez Cave, Santa Cruz Island, near Santa Barbara, California
Edward H. Mitchell
postmarked Aug. 30, 1912
[original in SCIF archives]
7046
Santa Cruz Islands, near Santa Barbara
M. Reider publ.
[original in SCIF archives]
Santa Cruz Island
Published by N. Reed, Santa Barbara, Cal.
RPPC
[original in SCIF archives]
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island
Photo by E. L. Dresser, Santa Barbara, Cal.
RPPC postmarked
[original in SCIF archives]
Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island
Photo by N. H. Reed
real photo post card
[original in SCIF archives]
No. S. B. 2
Tres Bocas Cave, Santa Cruz Island, Cal.
The Rieder. George O. Restall. Made in Germany.
[original in SCIF archives]
Cava Val Dez. Santa Cruz Islands,
Santa Barbara, Cal.
RPPC
[original in SCIF archives]
Image:|
Image:|
</gallery>
In the News~
April 30, 1878 [SBDP]: “Santa Cruz Island. Researches of a French savant in the island. Lecture of Mons. L. de Cessac, yesterday, before the Santa Barbara Society of Natural History. Mons. de Cessac excused himself from addressing the society in English, he having been only a few months in America… The mission entrusted to him by the French government had principally for its aim the study of the volcanic phenomena and the anthropology of the western coast of North America. The island of Santa Cruz and the neighboring islands of the California archipelago were the first course in his field of investigation… His present purpose was simply to entertain the society with his researched in Santa Cruz Island. The savant opened with a rough sketch of the island, indicating the geological formations… from the Cañada del Agua on the northern coast, near Prisoners’ Harbor, the volcanic grounds continue without interruption as far as the northern part of the island, with the exception of a very limited point of the place called Cueva de Valdez, where is still found a very important calcareous sedimentary deposit…”
May 8, 1887 [SBMP]: “Tent and sail. Afloat and ashore at the Island of the Holy Cross. In the sea lion’s liar… Last week a memorable trip was made to Santa Cruz Island by a party made up of the following persons: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sleeth, Mr. Eltinge Roe, son of E. P. Roe the novelist, H. C. Ford, the landscape painter, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. E. A. Otis of the Los Angeles Times corporation, Miss Sadie Roe, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Kinsell of the Press. The taunt and trim little sloop Genova manned by Captain Andre Larco and sailor Joe, sailed away to the west… The triple cave was the crowning of this wonderful bit of coast. Arched beneath a shelving bluff is a great opening as round and true as if chiseled by mortal hands. It’s roof in a deep wide cave. The dry sand floor and sample recess invite the strangers to rest. No wind or chill seems to penetrate here, and quite a rim of sparkling water laps the shore softly. Ferns and lichens festoon the creviced sides and roof vines frail of the entrance, curious shells lie about or shine from the waves less deep nearby. At right and left of this spacious sea chamber two other graceful arches laid out, one to beautiful beach of white sand… the other opens to a churning mass of waves…”
August 27, 1891 [SBMP]: “On Monday morning, August 10th, a party of sixteen… embarked on the little vessel Big Loafer, Captain Brownsill in command… On the following day we started in search of the various points of interest. Among the first is Cave de Valdez, located near Lady Harbor, and it is weathered out of the hard, rough basalt, presenting three entrances, through one of which enters the sea, forming a beautiful harbor large enough to accommodate several of the smaller sailboats. The cave is quite extensive and is perhaps fifty or more feet in height. From the smooth, sandy beach of the sheltered interior we could pass through the other openings either way along the coast. The westerly arch of this cave is exquisitely beautiful, the large arch and roof showing the minute details of the conglomerates, the irregular fragments of which lie scattered about and project from the cementing material from which they are continually dropping out, leaving a rugged surface, among which Polypodium, Penstamon, and other interesting plants flourish in the greatest luxuriance. I think a more picturesque scene cannot be found…”
September 24, 1891 [SBMP]: “Island scenery… At the Cave de Valdez, named for the early explorer, is the little harbor most frequently used by camping parties. The landing place is through the mouth of a lofty cave on to a little sandy beach which is entirely protected from the rougher waves outside. This cave is an extensive one, extending several hundred feet along the shore, with three entrances, one to the beach on either side, and the other with a deep channel to the open sea. A few rods to the eastward is the entrance to the Valdez Canyon, a rocky gorge which penetrates the mountains clear up to the backbone of the island, and which is but one of a score of similar canyons found on the island…”
December 3, 1891 [SBMP]: “The Santa Barbara Islands. The Overland Monthly for December is a peculiarly Santa Barbara publication… The triple or Valdez Cave, about three miles west of Lady Harbor, is one of the most interesting freaks of this strange region…”
August 10, 1892 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Ruby sailed for Cava [Cueva] Valdez Harbor with a large party of pleasure seekers yesterday morning. The boat will stay with them and they expect to be gone about ten days.”
August 14, 1892 [SBMP]: Wallace Bailey “Santa Cruz Island as seen by a Barbareño on a pleasure trip... It was early morning in the latter part of July. Camping equipage enough for a small army lay piled upon the wharf, and the schooner Lottie, lying at anchor with every sail spread, indicated that she was ready to receive this ponderous load... just as day was breaking we landed, safe and sound, at the place known as Quava Val Dez, meaning cave, and Val Dez the name of a noted smuggler who is said to have ended his days in this cave many years ago. How shall I describe this wonderful place and its surroundings?... Everything is so different from the mainland. Nature has crowded so much into a small space... Altogether it is known as the grandest place on the island...”
August 18, 1892 [SBMP]: “At Quava Val Dez, fish are usually abundant. For several days the harbor was full of sardines and with them came the sharks which drove them up onto the beach and kelp where we picked up over 5,000 in a single morning. As they rushed upon the beach they created considerable excitement among the campers. An Indian war dance is the only thing that approaches it in wildness. Of course this excitement was confined principally to the male population of the camp.”
July 31, 1893 [SBDI]: “The Restless returned from Santa Cruz Island Sunday afternoon. The Restless made the trip from Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island to Santa Barbara in three hours and a half yesterday.”
May 24, 1894 [SBDI]: “A visit to the Santa Barbara islands, to those who enjoy sailing and fishing, is the most desirable trip in the world… When a party is formed, the destination nine times out of ten, is Quava Val Dez on Santa Cruz Island…”
July 8, 1895 [SBDI]: “The Restless, Captain Burtis, leaves tomorrow for Quava Val Dez, Santa Cruz Island, with several young people who will join the Meigs party camped at that point. A week from today another large party will go to the island on the Restless.”
July 13, 1895 [SBDI]: “A party of about 25 will go to Quava Valdez, Santa Cruz Island, in a few days to spend two or three weeks in camp. The Restless will take the advance party Monday, and the others will follow Wednesday...”
July 16, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “An exodus of some of the prominent society people of this city took place this Monday morning for Cuava Val Dez, Santa Cruz Island. The party expects to be absent for three weeks. They have taken tents, servants and the good things of life, and intend to enjoy themselves hugely. The following persons compose the party: M. B. McDuffie, Duncan McDuffie, Miss Kittredge, Miss Maud Kittredge, Miss Sanborn, Miss Gertrude Owen, Miss Hand, Miss Darrah, Miss Johnson, Mr. Last, Albert Palmer, H. Cooper, Robert Owens, C. R. Broughton, Charles McDuffie. Captain Burtis of the schooner Restless will have the pleasure of taking the campers to their destination. On Wednesday the party will be increased by the addition of the following named persons: Miss Metcalf, Miss James, Miss Thompson, Miss M. Diehl, Miss G. Diehl, Mrs. Porteous, Miss Snell, Miss Hosmer, Mrs. Robert Jennings, Fred Lamb, Mr. Conklyn, E. Hamilton, W. Flint and E. Boeseke.”
July 17, 1895 [SBMP]: “The Restless returned from Santa Cruz Island yesterday with a party of thirteen who were camping for the past ten days at Quava [Cueva]. The party consisted of Peveril Meigs, Martin Meigs, Fred Poett, Mrs. Stewart, Misses Lorena and Mary Stewart, Robert and Milton Stewart, Miss Dayton, Walter Wilkinson, Mr. Devenes, and Russell Brown. Duncan McDuffie, who went over Monday with seventeen campers, came back on the Restless, will return to the island tomorrow with twelve more of the same party. The Restless was becalmed about five miles out on her way over Monday, but Mr. McDuffie states that she caught a stiff breeze at three o’clock and reached the island shortly after six.”
July 20, 1895 [SBDI]: “The Genova returned today from the island, reporting the sloop Restless safe in Prisoners' Harbor. The party was landed safely on the afternoon of Wednesday, and Captain Burtis started back for the mainland. About a mile and a half out from Quava Valdez the mast gave way under the heavy wind that was blowing, and with the sail fell over the side...”
July 20, 1895 [REG]: “The sloop Restless is safe and none hurt. The wind is blowing very hard at Santa Cruz Island and carried away part of the rigging before landing the party. After putting all safely ashore she started back. The main mast was carried away a mile and a half off Cueva Valdez, where the party is camping. The captain fitted a jury mast and sailed into Prisoners’ Harbor. The main mast was then cut off and stepped. It will be back this evening.”
July 21, 1895 [SFC]: “…The Geneva reached Cueva Valdez at 2 o’clock yesterday and ran down to Prisoners Harbor at 3 o’clock. There Messrs. Pratt, Forbush and Larco rendered timelt assistance to the Restless. The mast, which broke off two feet above the deck, but was sound throughout, was put in place again, shortened eight feet, and shortly after they left the captain set sail, reaching Santa Barbara tonight. The little boat is eleven years old, was originally built for the California Oyster Company and used to sail in San Francisco Bay. She is made of oak throughout, and is staunch and sound. With her shortened mast she is safer than ever, although she may not be so fast a sailor…”
July 22, 1895 [SBDI]: “Captain Burtis, who arrived Saturday evening in his sloop, the Restless, speaks in the highest terms of the bravery of the three boys from camp Valdez who assisted him when his boat was disabled. Duncan McDuffie of Santa Barbara, Ernest Hamilton of Riverside and Mr. Lawrence of San José put off from shore in a skiff and went out to the spot where the Restless was tossing helplessly in a heavy sea. They towed the sloop near shore, where the anchor was dropped for the night, and next morning worked like Trojans to get a temporary sail in place.”
July 25, 1895 [SBDI]: “The Independent has succeeded in inaugurating a carrier pigeon news service between the camps on Santa Cruz Island and Santa Barbara... The Independent has taken the initiative in the matter and hopes to serve the readers daily letters from Quava Valdez. If nothing happens and if the birds cross the water without ill effect, messages will be published each day telling happenings on Santa Cruz. The first pigeon is expected tomorrow.”
July 26, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Restless departed last Wednesday night for Quava Val Des, Santa Cruz Island, with a coop of carrier pigeons. These pigeons were sent to the island by the Independent, and for the purpose of having a daily communication with the numerous campers at Quava Val Des. These birds are the property of M. W. Pierce, George Culbertson and M. Hawcroft. There are two noted flyers in the lot of pigeons designed for this service. A pigeon was to have been let loose Wednesday night, but as none has shown up at the cote today, it is thought that the Restless did not arrive at its destination in time.”
July 29, 1895 [SBDI]: “The sloop Restless was in Saturday from the islands, reporting all well at the various camps. Colman Broughton came over with Captain Burtis and returned again Sunday. The party at Quava Valdez will break camp Wednesday.”
July 31, 1895 [LAH]: “The carrier pigeons between Santa Cruz Island and this city still fail to carry, but a sloop arrived today from Ladies’ Harbor and Cueva Valdez with the news that the hordes of Barbarians were enjoying good health and having a splendid time.”
August 1, 1895 [SBDI]: “The sloop Restless came in at 8 o’clock last evening from Quava Valdez with Duncan McDuffie, Fred Lamb and a party of about 25. They left Santa Cruz Island at 12:30, and made a good trip until within a few miles of home when the wind left them. The young folks report an excellent time, and all thought the time too short.”
August 3, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The camping party that left here for Quava Val Dez, Santa Cruz Island, on the schooner Restless about two weeks ago, and were thought to have been wrecked, returned to Santa Barbara Wednesday night. All report having enjoyed a delightful time. The earthquake experienced on last Friday in this city was felt on the island very perceptibly. The campers are not aware that any serious damage was done to the island by the convulsion of nature referred to.”
July 31, 1896 [SBDI]: “The Restless made the trip from Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island, in three hours and a half yesterday.”
July 1, 1897 [SBDI]: “Twenty campers from Cueva Valdez arrived this afternoon on the Lizzie Belle W. As many more are still in camp, but will return home tomorrow. The Lizzie Belle W will make the round trip to Santa Cruz Island next Sunday, stopping at Painted Cave and at Cueva Valdez for lunch. All those wishing to go should be at the wharf at 6:30 in the morning.”
July 2, 1897 [SBDI]: “Cueva Valdez is being deserted this week. Last of the interesting series of letters from the Independent correspondent on the island: Camp Cueva Valdez, Thursday, July 1, 1897. All is bustle in the camp this morning. The Lizzie Belle W is to take part of our party to the mainland today and Commander in chief Kittridge has told off those who are to go. Some of the tents are coming down, and we realize that our splendid holiday is about over. None are glad. On the contrary all feel regret that this Arcadian experience is not to continue… At Cueva Valdez one is wholly cut off from the world. Here one can live a natural life, unheeding what others may think. The Lizzie Belle W is the sole link between us and the other fellows upon the mainland, and we never think of daily papers, of letters and business until we see her nose poking into the harbor. We dress in old-fashioned clothes and live in the cordial old-fashioned way… Carrier pigeons have been sent to Santa Barbara every day. One sulked upon being let loose. He hung about camp for several days, but finally joined two companions who were intent upon doing their duty, and disappeared toward the mainland… But the Lizzie Belle W is coming into the harbor, and in a half hour twenty of us will say good-bye to Cueva Valdez.”
July 2, 1897 [SBDI]: “Flight of a carrier pigeon from the islands. Bird crosses the thirty-mile channel in 45 minutes with news for the Independent… The pigeon was one of Fred Moore’s and it brought a message to the Independent from Cueva Valdez. The message was written at noon, just as the last members of the party were preparing to leave camp… The messages are written on very thin, specially-prepared paper, and then rolled and tied snugly, but not too tight about the bird’s leg…”
July 7, 1897 [SBDI]: “The latest Land of Sunshine, the Los Angeles magazine, contains an article on ‘Caves of Santa Cruz Island,’ by Rob. C. Owens and illustrated with beautiful, clear cut views of Cuava Valdez, Painted Cave, Ladies’ Harbor and the Arch.”
April 11, 1899 [SBMP]: “...The crawfish companies were located on Santa Cruz Island and composed of from four to six men who had established camps at Gold [Gull] Rock, south side of island, southeast side of island, east side, Chinese Harbor, Tenters Harbor, Quava Valdez, and maybe more...”
July 20, 1900 [SBMP]: “The island beaches are more popular with campers every year. Several parties are camping there... Next week the Ariel will take a crowd of Venturans to Quava [Cueva] Valdez.”
September 20, 1904 [SBMP]: “Few people would believe that people would leave the far-famed Catalina Island to camp on Santa Cruz, but such is a fact. For several days there has been a party of 20 people camped on the shores at Quava Valdez...”
September 23, 1904 [SBMP]: “A party of prominent people from Catalina are making a three weeks' tour of the Channel Islands, and have established a most complete camp at Quava Valdez bay on Santa Cruz Island where they have been for over a week. The party left Avalon on the 14th of September in the gasoline sloop Avalon... Their camp is a most picturesque one, being composed of nine tents placed on the beach under the protection of the overhanging cliffs, and near where a fresh water spring bubbles out of the rocks...”
September 29, 1904 [SBMP]: “Avalon is now in Santa Barbara... For the past twelve days they have been camped at Quava Valdez, where everything necessary to the comfort of a large camping party has been arranged. They were there during the late rains, but experienced little inconvenience on account of them, as very little water fell there.”
May 17, 1905 [SBMP]: “Ira Eaton will leave with a pleasure party the latter part of the week for a cruise around Santa Cruz Island, going first to Valdez Harbor where a camp for the night will be pitched, and then proceeding on around the island, returning to the city on Sunday night.”
June 20, 1905 [SBMP]: “Gem of island is Santa Cruz... Mr. Lowe was piloted to the various points of interest on the island of Santa Cruz by Captain Merry of the Vishnu, the trip across the channel being made last Saturday and the entire day of Sunday being given to the examination of the various points of greater interest... Among other points in which Santa Cruz excels Catalina and all other islands of the group are the many caves, of which there are scores, of greater or less extent, washed into the cliffs that skirt the coast. Quava Valdez with its three entrances and massive western dome is striking...”
July 12, 1905 [SBMP]: “Captain Haron Rock of Montecito, Frank Knott of New York and Cameron Rogers enjoyed a pleasant fishing trip on the channel on Monday. They made the trip in Ira Eaton’s Irene. They brought back a large catch of fish and report fish to be biting very freely off Santa Cruz Island from Pelican Bay to Quava Valdez...”
August 9, 1905 [SBMP]: “W. A. Hazard, his two sons, Hugh and Willie Hazard, and his cousin L. A. Hazard have returned from a camping and fishing trip to Santa Cruz Island where they were camped for twelve days at Quava Valdez Harbor. They were taken over in the Peerless, which left when they were comfortably camped on the island...”
August 10, 1905 [LAT]: “W. A. Hazard, his two sons, Hugh and Willie Hazard, and his cousin, L. A. Hazard, have returned from a camping and fishing trip to Santa Cruz Island, where they were camped at Quava Valdez Harbor. They were taken over in the Peerless, which left when they were comfortably camped, and called for them after they had been there nearly two weeks. It was reported that Hazard and his party had run short of supplies, and had to subsist for several days on the natural products the island affords, but this he denies. He says they had just finished their last meal as the boat came in sight and declared that it was the most delightful trip he had ever taken. The weather was ideal and fishing in the harbor of Quava Valdez was great. He reports that his party caught over three thousand pounds of fish.”
August 15, 1905 [SBMP]: “Last week the power launch Naiad took an excursion to Quava Valdez, Painted Cave, Lady’s Harbor, and other points of interest on the island...”
March 3, 1906 [SBMP]: “Captain Merry returned yesterday from a trip to San Miguel Island in his power yacht Vishnu. He left this city last Saturday, taking Captain Waters and ten sheep shearers to the island. The channel was very rough and it was necessary to stop over the first night at Valdez Harbor...”
June 24, 1906 [SBMP]: “A party of a dozen left for Santa Cruz Island last night to spend a day in cruising about the island. They made the trip in Captain Merry’s sloop, Vishnu, and will be back this evening. They will visit the Painted Cave and will spread a picnic lunch at Valdez Harbor. Among those who will make the trip are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rutherford, Mr. and Mrs. Boarman, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Carroll and others.”
July 31, 1906 [SBMP]: “Captain Short's yacht, Pt. Fermin, made the passage of the channel Sunday with a party of well known Santa Barbara people... They visited Painted Cave and Quava Valdez and saw much of the beauty of the islands.”
August 12, 1906 [SBMP]: “A party of Santa Barbara men had a very pleasant trip to Santa Cruz Island yesterday morning as the guests of Alan Dunn... They left at 2 o'clock in the morning in the launch Irene, in charge of Captain Eaton... The launch Irene slid into Quava Valdez...”
In January, 1907, the engine of Ira Eaton’s boat Irene quit during a northwester at Valdez Harbor, and she was smashed against the rocks.
January 22, 1907 [SBMP]: “The power yacht Vishnu returned from Santa Cruz Island where a party of prominent eastern people were entertained for a day or two... Quava Valdez was inspected and various of the pretty harbors were visited. At Prisoners’ Harbor, the party occupied the ranch house, on the invitation of Mr. Caire. They were also invited by the company to visit the winery.”
January 26, 1907 [LAT/SP]: “Captain Swenson of the launch Leone, arriving today from Santa Cruz Island, brings news of a terrific storm which resulted in considerable damage on that island. Cueva Valdez, the show place of the island, and visited often by tourists from Santa Barbara and other points on the mainland was destroyed by a heavy landslide, and eleven people who were camped there only escaped with much difficulty… on the east end of Santa Cruz where Captain Swenson found conditions even worse that at the upper end. Here another landslide had buried the tents and shacks of the fishermen, and John Larsen of San Pedro was severely injured by a boulder which came down from the mountainside through his tent and crushed his left leg. At this point the wind was so fierce that the boats of the fishermen were blown over and swamped. There were six men in this camp. One of them, Harry Beck, sought safety in a rowboat and was blown out to sea with but scant provision. Fortunately he was picked up by a fishing boat from Santa Barbara after he had drifted aimlessly on the ocean for two days. This chance rescue probably saved him from death. Another camp on Santa Cruz owned by F. Gilbert and Ed Linscow, two San Pedro fishermen, was completely washed away by the heavy swells…”
January 27, 1907 [SBMP]: “San Pedro correspondence of the Times tells of fearful damage at Santa Cruz Island, including the destruction of Quava Valdez. While it is quite true that there were a number of landslides on the island, and one in the canyon near Quava Valdez, Captain Merry reports that the cave itself suffered not at all.”
May 31, 1907 [SBMP]: “The power launch Charm was put to her first hard test yesterday. All night long the men worked over the boat to get her into shape for the trip to the islands. She more than fulfilled Captain Henry Short's highest expectations. The boat made splendid time and proved to be a model in every way. There were 32 people on board and plenty of room for ten more. Twenty-seven of the young people of the Baptist church took the trip. The weather was delightful. They took lunch at Valdez and then cruised about the island. Everyone voted the trip a success and they are planning to go again soon.”
May 31, 1907 [SBI]: “At the trial trip yesterday of the power launch Charm, the trim little vessel worked like her own name. Captain Short was well satisfied with the test, as the boat made splendid time and came up to his highest expectations. Thirty-two persons were on board during the trial trip, twenty-seven of them being from the Baptist church. Luncheon was partaken of at Valdez and after cruising about the islands, the party returned to this city. The Charm can carry about sixty passengers.”
August 8, 1907 [SBMP]: “The launch Vamoose, Captain George W. Gourley, returned to port yesterday from a two day’s cruise about the Channel Islands... On the first day, the party lunched at Dick’s Harbor, where M. C. Faulding and family and Miss Gladys Moley are camped, and dined with F. M. Whitney, Louis F. Ruiz and family at Fry’s Harbor... Cueva Valdez, where contractor Hazard and a party of ten are camped, was also visited...”
August 25, 1907 [SBMP]: “The Charm returned last night with the party from Carpinteria. They left Serena yesterday morning at 6 o’clock, making a quick run for the island, visiting most of the points of interest, including Painted Cave. They landed at Quava Valdez Harbor...”
September 29, 1907 [SBMP]: “A merry party left this morning on the Charm for an excursion to the island. They will visit Valdez Harbor and other interesting points...”
October 17, 1907 [SBWP]: “James Bernard O’Shea of Portland, Oregon, who is at the Potter, was out with a friend yesterday with Captain Short in the launch Charm, on a fishing excursion.”
October 24, 1907 [SBI]: “The storm that visited Santa Barbara Tuesday drove the small craft of the channel out to sea… Captain Short of the Charm took his power launch scurrying out to the islands to get in the lee of Santa Cruz to ride out the expected sou’easter in smooth water…”
May 11, 1909 [SBMP]: “Captain Fred Fanning and a party of eight visited Santa Cruz Island Sunday in his launch Wynona. The party consisted of Captain Fanning, “Jolly” Rogers, Bill Cornwall, Pete Jordano, Fritz Maxfield, Walter Jerow and R. Down. The Wynona left here at 1:10 A.M. Sunday and reached Valdez Harbor at 5:30 A.M. On the way over, all but three succumbed to seasickness. Maxfield was the first victim and the balance of the party succumbed in turn. Breakfast was had at Valdez Harbor. The party went to Painted Cave, then to Lady’s Harbor where they ate dinner. At this place, Captain Gourley’s party intended to return yesterday, but upon receiving a generous supply of tobacco from the Fanning party, decided to stay until tomorrow. The Wynona left Lady’s Harbor on its return trip at 1:30 P.M. in a strong nor’wester which kept the party in a state of excitement the balance of the trip. Midway in the channel, however, the wind died down and the remaining part of the cruise was extremely pleasant. The Wynona dropped anchor in the harbor at 5:35 P.M., and although the entire party voted that it had an A No. 1 time, all of them were rather glad to feel the solid planking of the wharf underneath them once again.”
May 23, 1909 [SBMP]: “A merry boating party left for Santa Cruz Island this morning at 5 o’clock in Captain Short’s launch, the Charm. They will visit the Painted Cave, Lady’s Harbor, Valdez Harbor and other points of interest, returning late this afternoon…”
September 22, 1909 [SBMP]: “A party of island campers including Dr. John Robinson Poore of Montecito and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Sheffield and their little son, who have been spending the summer here, will leave on Thursday for Valdez Harbor. The camp equipment is very complete and the came will be quite luxurious. Captain George Gourley of the launch Vamoose has been engaged and will accompany the campers and take them out fishing and to various caves and points of interest on the island.”
October 5, 1909 [SBMP]: “An island camping party composed of Dr. and Mrs. John Robinson Poore and their family and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Sheffield and their little son returned home yesterday after a most delightful stay of ten days at Valdez Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. They made the trip across the channel in the Gussie M and during their stay went on excursions about the island with Captain George Gourley in the Vamoose, who was engaged for the trip.”
June 5, 1910 [SBMP]: “Ogenio Larco will guide a party of Montecito people today in a trip across the channel and to the beauty spots of Santa Cruz Island in Captain Short’s Charm. The launch will leave the wharf early and lunch will be eaten probably at Valdez...”
July 12, 1910 [SBMP]: “That the body of Miss Isabel Pierce may be recovered from the cruel embrace of the sea is the fervent wish of the many hundreds of friends of the popular high school girl whose life was sacrificed when she attempted to swim ashore from an overturned boat off Cueva Valdez Friday; but in the opinion of boatmen familiar with the currents of the channel, and the location of the scene of the terrible disaster, it will be mere chance if the remains are ever found. About Arch Rock the currents and the tides sweep with relentless speed...”
July 13, 1910 [SBMP]: “The Gussie M, Captain Vasquez, is expected in today from Santa Cruz Island with latest news from the ill-fated camp at Cueva Valdez, where patrols are watching for the appearance of the body of Isabel Pierce, who was drowned there Friday last, The Charm, Captain Short, will visit the island Thursday.”
July 18, 1910 [SBI]: “Captain Vasquez returned form Santa Cruz Island this morning. No traces had been found of the body of Miss Isabel Pierce, who was drowned about ten days ago in Cueva Valdez. Captain Short with the launch Charm, A. M. Pierce, the father of the girl, Ed Stevens, Eugene Whitcomb, Heath Conant and a force of men have thoroughly patrolled every foot of the shore. They have used about 50 pounds of dynamite, but all in vain. The Charm will leave the island this evening, bringing the searching party home. A jolly party of local merchants with some visiting friends spent yesterday and last night at the islands cruising in the Gussie M. They left here at 5 o’clock yesterday morning and visited Frye’s Harbor and Ladies Harbor. The day was spent in fishing. Those in the party were F. W. Yates, Fred Pinkham, S. Pinkham, J. Brown, J. S. Reynolds, F. B. Reavis, Ed Blakeley, Mr. Carr, Mr. Irwin and Mr. Johnston.”
April 16, 1911 [SBMP]: “A summer cruise in the sunset sea... They found the cave [Valdez] to be a large affair, some 20 feet high, and 30-40 feet across in either direction, with three openings, one to the sea, and the others to the beach on each side... The boys and Mr. White went over toward the cave, in the shelter of a cliff, for their sleeping rooms...”
July 7, 1911 [LAT]: “Frank Garbutt put out to sea last night in his yacht, the Skidbladnir, on a voyage that is unique. His passengers and guests will be a company of moving-picture actors, and his destination is one of the Santa Barbara islands. In the early days of the Spanish occupation of California a fascinating pirate named Valdez used to ravage the shipping along this south coast. Owing to his careless habits of morality, no citizen could be safe at sea with his diamonds. The Spanish galleons which had to sail around with cargoes and silk from India in order to provide future literary material for short story writers had a perfectly fearful time of it. Old Kid Valdez had a rendezvous on Santa Cruz Island — an island dented with the most adorably romantic caves and caverns where the sea comes booming in and splashes the roaring sea lions. On one of these caves Valdez is supposed to have hidden his treasure hoard. He is also supposed to have died there. The Selig Moving Picture Company has undertaken the interesting task of reproducing the scenes of that romantic period at the place where they occurred. Old Valdez will live again at his old hang out…”
July 16, 1911 [SBMP]: “So pleased are the Selig Motion Picture Company managers with the Santa Barbara islands as the scene for film making that it is now proposed to establish a three-months' camp at [Cueva] Valdez, Santa Cruz Island, two buildings being put up for the purpose...”
July 20, 1911 [SBMP]: “The Selig troop, numbering 27, returned during the morning from [Cueva] Valdez, Santa Cruz Island, where they have been camped for two weeks, during which time they have staged several picture plays...”
August 13, 1912 [SBMP]: “Disabled engine causes Charm to wait at Valdez for a tow. Worrying because they knew others were worrying about them somewhat spoiled a Robinson Crusoe-like experience of twenty-four persons who were compelled to spend an extra twenty-four hours on Santa Cruz Island as a result of a cog wheel breaking on the engine of the launch Charm… Knowing that something had gone wrong, Captain Rosaline Vasquez, accompanied by Nathan Bents and C. A. Edwards and others left for the islands on the Gussie M. They arrived at Cueva Valdez at 3 o’clock, a short time before a rowboat arrived from Fry’s Harbor with provisions at the time the party did know but another night would have to be passed at Valdez with the Charm in tow…”
August 14, 1912 [SBMP]: “Worrying because they knew others were worrying about them somewhat spoiled a Robinson Crusoe-like experience of twenty-four persons who were compelled to pass an extra twenty-four hours on Santa Cruz Island as a result of a cog wheel breaking on the engine of the launch Charm…Knowing something had gone wrong, Captain Rosaline Vasquez, accompanied by Nathan Bentz and C. A. Edwards and others left for the islands yesterday noon on the Gussie M. They arrived at Cueva Valdez at 3 o’clock, a short time before a row boat arrived from Fry’s Harbor with provisions… With the Charm in tow, the Gussie M started for the mainland at 4 o’clock, arriving here at 10 o’clock…Captain Short had provided a large supply of French bread, but when delicacies were run out of yesterday, the stranded passengers gathered mussels and a fine chowder was prepared…”
August 25, 1912 [SBMP]: “Herding anchovies with a rowboat new pastime at Santa Cruz Island. The fish story season is just getting a fair start, if one may be pardoned on the strength of a yarn that came all the way from Cueva Valdez, Santa Cruz Island yesterday, in charge of Captain Short of the launch Charm. The charter left a party of Carpinterians and Ventura people camping at Valdez, having taken them from Ventura early last week. Captain Short reports that a vast school of anchovies appeared off the Valdez coast, and he and one of the campers put off in a skiff to round them up. They succeeded in stampeding the little fish to the beach, the breakers carrying them to the sand where they piled several inches high, and for a 500-yard stretch. ‘There were bushels of ‘em,’ says Captain Short. ‘We gathered all we could take care of, but it would have required a whole cannery to handle the whole catch.’”
October 1, 1912 [SBMP]: “The Charm left Santa Barbara Saturday morning with thirty-three passengers, teachers , normal school students, artists and others. After an enjoyable trip across the channel, the party landed at Valdez Harbor, first having viewed the wonders of Painted Cave. The remainder of the afternoon was spent exploring…”
July 11, 1913 [SBMP]: “Miss Isabel Pierce and Thomas Del Valle of island camping party drown when boat capsizes. Sobered by the first marine tragedy in many years, Santa Barbara talked of little else than the drowning on Friday of Miss Isabel Pierce, 16, daughter of A.M. Pierce, 1629 Garden Street, and of Thomas Del Valle, 19, son of Henry Del Valle, 25 East Ortega Street, who perished after a long struggle in the channel waters on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island Friday morning…Captain Henry Short returned from the island yesterday afternoon with those of the party who remained in camp at Quava Valdez, after Rosaline Vasquez left for the mainland Saturday night with Del Valle’s body and the first news of the tragedy… The party went to the island a week ago Saturday and pitched their tents at Quava Valdez, or Valdez Cave, on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island and about a mile west of Frye’s Harbor… On Friday morning Mrs. Whitcomb, Miss Whitcomb, Eugene Whitcomb, Miss Lober, Miss Isabel Pierce, James Clark, Thomas Del Valle and Mrs. White left in a flat-bottomed otter boat for Frye’s Harbor, intending to row down the coast… The boat was about half a mile east of the camp and nearly one mile from shore when without warning from what seemed a smooth sea, a large roller crested just as it hit the boat and broke over the gunwhale, filling the boat almost full of water and creating an instant panic among most of those on board. Several of the occupants at once jumped into the water and the boat capsized, throwing all of the party into the ocean…”
March 22, 1914 [SBMP]: “Captain Rosaline Vasquez, who returned from Santa Cruz Island last Friday night with eight seals for Herbert Rogers, left at six P.M. yesterday with twenty members of the Flying A Company for Valdez Cave, where the party will spend Sunday, returning this evening.”
March 26, 1914 [SBMP]: “Fred Hamilton is organizing an excursion to Santa Cruz Island for next Sunday. The party will make the trip on the Otter, with Valdez Harbor as the objective point…”
March 29, 1914 [SBMP]: “Fred Hamilton has organized for today a big party to go to Santa Cruz Island on the Otter, Captain Vasquez. The company, which will include both men and women, will number about thirty-five people. Most members of the newly organized Rod and Reel Club will be in the party, and they expect to bring home a lot of fish. The party will make the dinner camp at Valdez, by many thought to be the most beautiful harbor on the island, and will visit several other points of interest, returning to the mainland in the evening.”
March 31, 1914 [SBMP]: “Under the leadership of Fred Hamilton, a party of thurty-five people sailed for Santa Cruz Island on the Otter last Sunday morning, leaving the wharf shortly after 7 o’clock. The party landed at Valdez Harbor and had a fine time exploring the canyon, the beach, the caves and the mountain sides at this spot, so famous for the surpassingly beautiful pictures drawn by nature’s hand…”
July 30, 1914 [SBMP]: “Captain and Mrs. Wilbert Melville charmed with Santa Cruz… Different points of interest were visited, attention being paid principally to the Painted Cave, which the visitors were particularly anxious to see, and for which the expedition was planned… The party, after a thorough exploration of the cave, steamed to Valdez Harbor and dropped anchor for luncheon…”
September 20, 1914 [SBMP]: “Members of the Quorum Club of the high school, chaperoned by faulty members of the same, went by the Otter to Valdez Harbor, Santa Cruz Island yesterday, and had a very happy time at that delightful locality, considered by many the most charming spot on all the island. The beautiful canyon, generously watered by the first mountain stream that Santa Cruz boasts, was explored heartily to its source, and the caves at this harbor gave the delight to the visitors that they always have in store for those who see them, whether for the first or hundredth time. The party, numbering thirty, returned home in the evening…”
January 21, 1915 [SBMP]: “Charles Hanson same in from the islands yesterday for supplies for his craw fishing camp. He and Scotty Cunningham, who operate the powerboats Flyer and SamPan respectively, are working together, and are changing their camp from the bleak shore of Anacapa Island to Valdez Harbor, by most people considered the most beautiful spot on Santa Cruz Island. From what Hanson says, however, the main object in making the change is not for aesthetic reasons, but in the hope of finding better craw fishing grounds.”
January 21, 1915 [SBDNI]: “Crawfish are reported very scarce by Captain Charles Hanson, who has come in from the islands to lay in a fresh stock of supplies for his crawfishing camp. Mr. Hanson and Scotty Cunningham are working together, and have changed their base of operations from the shore of Anacapa Island to Valdez Harbor, in the hope that crawfish may prove better there. The captain said that the men engaged in catching this elusive delicacy are not meeting with any noticeable success.”
February 16, 1915 [SBMP]: “Captain Charles Hanson came over from Valdez Harbor yesterday in his powerboat, the Flyer, with rock cod.”
April 6, 1915 [SBMP]: “Herman Norden of Paris... went on the Sea Wolf... The party was disappointed at not being able to enter Painted Cave on account of rough water, but the excursionists found much to enjoy at Valdez Cave, Pelican Bay and Prisoners' Harbor...”
April 12, 1915 [SBDNI]: “Captain Eaton returned yesterday afternoon in his boat, the Sea Wolf, with 18 members of the Hikers Club, who had taken advantage of a vacant date in their schedule of land tours to try the sea. The party left Saturday evening and spent the night at Pelican Bay. The next day they toured the island coast in row boats, and took a hike back into the island mountains…”
April 16, 1915 [SBMP]: “Captain Ira Eaton went to Santa Cruz Island in the Sea Wolf yesterday morning with a small party of Montecito people who were out for a three day fishing cruise. They will return tomorrow evening, and Sunday morning the Sea Wolf will carry a party of excursionists to Valdez Harbor for a day at that charming island resort.”
April 16, 1915 [SBDBI]: “A party of Montecito society men is enjoying a fishing cruise around Santa Cruz Island today in Captain Ira K. Eaton’s sturdy power launch Sea Wolf. The fishermen will return tomorrow. Sunday the captain will carry a party of excursionists to Valdez Harbor to pass the day at this picturesque island camp.”
April 17, 1915 [SBDNI]: “Going over on what was intended merely as a three day fishing trip, a group of Montecito and Santa Barbara millionaires became so enthusiastic over Santa Cruz Island, that they have picked out a camp site at Pelican Bay, and will establish a camp there this summer, instead of going thousands of miles to find a less satisfactory vacation resort. Those making the trip were F. W. Leadbetter, of this city and Seattle; W. H. Bartlett, of Middle Road, Montecito; Mr. Munn, and Mr. Tripp, also of Montecito. The party returned last night after passing three days cruising around the island, personally conducted by Captain Ira K. Eaton in his power launch Sea Wolf. After visiting two or three places on the island, the beauty and restfulness of the isle so delighted the visitors, that on reaching Pelicann Bay they told Captain Eaton they would look no further, but would make camp there this summer, instead of going away to the far places of the earth to seek rest and outdoor recreation. Incidentally, the combined wealth of the four men runs into seven figures, and two of them, Mr. Leadbetter and Mr. Bartlett, own half of the stock in the Hot Springs Club. Captain Eaton and his helpers were given $10 tips at the trip’s conclusion, in addition to being well-paid for their services.”
April 18, 1915 [SBMP]: “This morning the Sea Wolf will leave for Santa Cruz Island with a party of young people bound for Valdez Harbor and a day of joy at that beautiful spot.”
May 9, 1915 [SBMP]: “Otter busy… Today the boat is at Valdez Harbor with a party of twenty-five of the Flying A people who started over at a late hour last night and will return this evening.”
May 11, 1915 [SBMP]: “The Flying A boys who went to the island in the Otter last Saturday night, returned at 4 o’clock P.M. on the following day, having had a royal good time at Valdez Cave and in the surrounding country on a wild boar hunt. As a trophy of their chase, they brought home an immense old boar, with tusks seven inches long, the monster having been shot by a member of the party.”
May 19, 1915 [SBDNI]: “So delighted are the Normal School students who went on the excursion to Santa Cruz Island over Saturday and Sunday, with the beauty of the wondrous isle, that they are planning another trip for early July. A total of 37 students, both men and women, enjoyed the outing, returning late Sunday. Various points of interest, including Prisoners’ Harbor, Pelican Bay, Seal Rocks, Painted Cave and Cueva Valdez were visited and explored. The party made the trip in the motorboat Otter, the craft’s business agent, B. Hilbing, persoinally conducting the students, and seeing that everyone had a good time.”
May 31, 1915 [SBDNI]: “Carrying a party of 20 excursionists to Santa Cruz Island, the powerboat Otter left today in charge of Captain R. Vasquez, to explore the beauty of the isle, Fry’s Harbor, Painted Cave, Cueva Valdez, Seal Rocks, and other points of interest were visited.”
June 20, 1915 [SBMP]: “Yesterday afternoon, starting about 1 o’clock, a party of thirty members of the University Club, men and women, left for Santa Cruz Island in the powerboat Otter. The party had provided itself with bountiful camp equipment, with the view of spending the night at Valdez Harbor. A visit to the Painted Cave is scheduled for the early hours of today, when, it is hoped, the water will be smooth enough to permit the use of the small boats necessary to be used in entering the great subterranean cavern. The party is expected to return home this evening.”
July 1, 1915 [SBMP]: Fred Hamilton is organizing an island party for the 4th of July to leave Saturday morning at 6:30 in the Sea Wolf for Valdez Harbor. Most of the party will be from Carpinteria... It is expected that about 35 will join this outing. The Painted Cave will be visited, and the night's camp will be made at Valdez...”
July 2, 1915 [SBMP]: “This morning a party of State Normal students will go to Valdez Harbor, Santa Cruz Island for the day.”
CHECK DATE
July 30, 1916 [SBMP]: “Yesterday afternoon a party composed of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Coane, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Sheridan, Miss Doris Overman, Miss Frances Thompson, Charles Shedd and Edwin Pederson, left in Captain Eaton’s powerboat, the Sea Wolf, for Valdez Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. There the party will camp for a week, and much pleasure is anticipated from the sojourn at this beautiful spot.”
October 2, 1915 [SBMP]: “White seal is given fair warning. Pasadena society men aboard Dreamer are about to storm Santa Cruz Island… Exploration of a mysterious cave extending back into Santa Cruz Island for thousands of feet, it is believed, will be undertaken by Lionel Armstrong of Altadena and E. Crawford May, assistant cashier of the Security National Bank of Pasadena. Using a 2000-candle acetylene searchlight brought from San Diego, they will explore the great cavern in a gasoline launch. They hope to clear up the tale that is told that white seal have their home in this cave. They do not believe the story, but will attempt to show whether it is true or false. They will start their cruise tomorrow. This adventurous voyage will be made in the schooner-yacht Dreamer… the cavern is called Valdez Cave…”
July 3, 1915 [SBDNI]: “Carrying a party of 25 excursionists to Santa Cruz Island, the powerboat Otter will leave Stearn’s Wharf at 7 o’clock this evening, for a Fourth of July excursion across the channel. The passengers will be taken to three of the island’s most picturesque camping sites, Fry’s Harbor, Ladies Harbor, and Valdez Cave. Some of the campers will return tomorrow night, while the others will remain on the mystic isle until Monday afternoon. The Otter will lead the water pageant Monday night, towing a fleet of handsomely illuminated small water craft.”
July 3, 1915 [SBMP]: “Carrying a party of 25 excursionists to Santa Cruz Island, the powerboat Otter will leave Stearn’s Wharf at 7 o’clock this evening for a Fourth of July excursion across the channel. The passengers will be taken to three of the island's most picturesque camping sites, Fry's Harbor, Ladies' Harbor and Valdez Cave. Some of the campers will return tomorrow night, while the others will remain on the mystic isle until Monday afternoon. The Otter will lead the water pageant Monday night, towing a fleet of handsomely illuminated small water craft.”
July 1, 1915 [SBMP]: “Fred Hamilton is organizing an island party for the 4th of July, to leave Saturday morning at 6:30 in the Sea Wolf for Valdez Harbor...”
August 8, 1915 [SBMP]: “The power schooner Otter leaves this morning with a party of excursionists for the islands. Fry's Harbor and Cueva Valdez will be visited before returning. Additional excursions will be made Monday and Tuesday of this week.”
August 10, 1915 [SBMP]: “The power schooner Otter leaves this morning for Valdez Harbor with a party of 10 Santa Barbara people and five from Santa Paula. Another camping and fishing party leaves on the same boat for Fry's Harbor to stay two days.”
October 2, 1915 [SBMP]: “White Seals Given Fair Warning: ...Santa Cruz Island is one of the group opposite Santa Barbara and the cavern is called Valdez Cave. It has a spooky reputation because of the many bats therein and also because a large number of seals make it their haunt. The entrance to the cave is 100 feet in height and the sea flows in for a long distance. 'The cave goes back into the mountains for several thousand feet' said Mr. May. There is a little beach at the end of it and the claim is made that there are white seals in there. I do not believe there are any white seals there, but we will go and investigate. The acetylene lamps from the San Diego exposition are very powerful...”
October 27, 1915 [SBMP]: “The play, Undine... is mostly in a seashore setting, and it will show the finest bits of Santa Cruz Island scenery. Cueva Valdez makes an important part of the picture, a fact that will be easily understood by all who have seen that wonderful feature of the island, by many considered the most beautiful spot on the island shores except the Painted Cave...”
April 25, 1916 [SBMP]: “Three get lost on Santa Cruz Island...” Three campers at Fry’s Harbor were lost on the island for three days and nights after loosing their way back to camp from the Christy Ranch. They were found by Ira Eaton on a cliff three miles above Cueva Valdez “fatigued almost to the point of utter exhaustion,” suffering from hunger, thirst and exposure.
July 14, 1916 [SBMP]: “Captain Ira K. Eaton returned from Pelican Bay in the Sea Wolf yesterday to take to Fry’s Harbor this afternoon a party of forty of the State Normal students who will remain on the island until Sunday afternoon. The boat will return to the mainland tonight to take a party of ten, organized by Mrs. Figghoblyn, to Valdez Harbor, for a weeks’ camping. The start will be made at 6 o’clock tomorrow morning.”
May 26, 1917 [SBMP]: “Yesterday morning Captain Ira K. Eaton returned from Pelican Bay in the Sea Wolf, bringing over 15 members of Director Sturgis' company of American Film actors who had spent five days on the island and had worked a great deal of the picturesque island coast for a new picture show in the making, most of the scenes being laid between Valdez Cave and Pelican Bay.”
May 26, 1917 [SBDN]: “Captain Ira Eaton, skipper of the Sea Wolf, returned to Santa Barbara yesterday with a company of moving picture actors from the American studios who have been spending the past five days on Santa Cruz Island taking scenes for a screen production. The rugged coastline from Valdez Cave to Pelican Bay was used in the various locations. Captain Eaton expects to take a company of 30 from the Universal Studios in Los Angeles to the island tomorrow. The diversities of scenery make the place an ideal rendezvous for the various movie companies and several different directors have made plans for visiting the place this summer.”
April 15, 1918 [SCICo]: “The Potrero Norte has been run and the sheep sheared - 2620. We are planning to run the Potrero Sur, Colorados, and Coches Prietos and then move to Scorpion, leaving the Pinos Grandes, Cueva Valdez, Diablo and Laguna until after the shearing at Christy...”
June 10, 1916 [SBMP]: “Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Caldwell of Carpinteria with their children and a number of high school students and others of this city, making a party numbering twenty-six, are to leave on Captain Bay Webster's powerboat, the Anacapa, this morning, for Santa Cruz Island where they will camp and cruise for two days. The party will camp at Valdez Harbor, and will sail about from one harbor to another as pleasure dictates. The Caldwells are famous 'islanders,' and many people in Santa Barbara are always highly pleased with an opportunity of visiting Santa Cruz under their exceptionally favorable auspices. The voyagers expect to return to the mainland tomorrow evening.”
July 29, 1917 [SBMP]: “Captain Ira K. Eaton goes to Santa Cruz Island in the Sea Wolf again this morning to take over a party of ten people who will have a four-days’ camp at Cueva Valdez, by many thought the most beautiful spot on this island shore so famous for its beauty spots…”
May 20, 1919 [SBDN]: “Carrier pigeons as a means of communication between the Channel Islands and the mainland will soon become common, as large numbers of birds are now being trained for that purpose. At present the only means of communication is by boat, the installation of a woreless system having been halted during the war by government order. Captain Ira Eaton has a flock of forty or fifty pigeons at his camp on Santa Cruz Island which are the birds that are being used. Eighteen of the young squabs are to be brought over to the mainland and trained from the Belvedere within a few weeks. It is expected that they will make the thirty mile trip across the channel easily within half an hour, so that at any time messages may be dispatched quickly. They are now being used between Pelican Bay and Valdez on the island.”
June 20, 1919 [SCICo]: “The cattle at the Aguaje are being moved to Cueva Valdez.”
June 26, 1919 [SCICo]: “All of the cattle have been removed from Aguaje and driven to Cueva Valdez.”
April 19, 1920 [SCICo]: “I have sold the moving picture people 600 lineal feet of young eucalyptus trees @1/2 cent per lineal foot. They did their own cutting and hauling using our teams for which I charged them $5/day and they supplied the drivers. These trees were from 1 to 4 inches in diameter. The schooner is now hauling these to Cueva Valdez @ $75/day...”
May 17, 1920 [SCICo]: “In Cueva Valdez there are about 25 good cows and a few steers we have not gathered yet... It is undoubtedly true that campers have shot wild hogs and possibly sheep in the neighborhood of Cueva Valdez and Fry's Harbor. That these were parties to whom permits had been issued I think is a mistake, as I have issued only two such permits this season and one of those was not used. There have been some parties go in to those harbors to camp without permits however. ”
September 8, 1920 [SBMP]: “Having braved the perils of the deep where they found fishing good, particularly for halibut, upon which a new and enticing bait was said to have been used, 34 Santa Barbarans returned late Monday from a two-day pilrimage to Cueva Valdez Harbor, Santa Cruz Island… Camping on the beach at Valdez Harbor over Sunday proved to be as thrilling as it was unusual…”
July 22, 1924 tragedy struck a very large camping party when three people from Santa Barbara, Mary Stewart Wilkinson, Milton Stewart, and Dr. Hal Bishop were drowned in a skiff accident in heavy wind and seas. Famed western artist Edward Borein and his wife were on that particular trip.
July 7, 1926 [SBDN]: “Early yesterday afternoon a company of forty-nine actors, directors and mechanics of the Fox Film Company returned on the Sea Wolf from Santa Cruz Island where they had been filming The Devil’s Master. The picture is a melodrama dealing with dope smuggling, and most of the island scenes were shot at Valdez Harbor and Painted Cave. A submarine, 120 feet long, was built by studio workmen, and after a number of pictures were taken on board, the submarine was blown up...”
July 14, 1929 [SBMP]: “The annual trip to Santa Cruz Island sponsored by the State College as part of its summer program, will be held next weekend. The party, consisting of students and their friends, will leave Stearn’s Wharf Friday afternoon aboard Captain Ira Eaton’s Sea Wolf, to return Sunday evening. The boat ride is approximately one and a half hours betwee mainland and Valdez Harbor, where camp is expected to be established. The collegians will camp out, taking their blankets and cooking utensils. Saturday morning the party will leave for an all day cruise around the island, stops being made at to visit the painted caves, the attractive coves and harbors of the island. Luncheon will be on the seaward side of Santa Cruz, where the beaches and bathing are excellent. The College Outing Club has charge of arrangements for the trip, and details may be obtained from the book store, located on the campus. Dora Woods, Ted Marshall and Fred Imes are organizing the outing.”
July 1930 Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History director Ralph Hoffmann wrote: “The third night was spent in Valdez Harbor on Santa Cruz, outside the cave where the barn swallows twitter by day and petrels call by night.
