From our Archives

Barracks begin to take shape at the Gondo Labor Camp near Hecker Pass Road in 1955. Built on the land of Eugene Gondo, the camp would eventually open its doors to more than 500 Mexican field workers. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

Watsonville Union High School takes on Santa Cruz High on Feb. 8, 1957.

Contestants for the Cabrillo College football queen line up for a photo on Nov. 21, 1959. Shown here are Beverleigh Jordon (from left), Lacretia Wilson, Cloren Lucini, Mary Avila, Bonnie Freeman and Nancy Jones.

Construction workers build one of several structures at Watsonville Union High School on Nov. 29, 1954. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

A city bus rolls along Main Street into the Watsonville Transit Square on March 23, 1954. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

A crowd gathers on the deck of the SS Palo Alto, colloquially known as the “Cement Ship,” on May 31, 1954. Built in 1919 as a 420-foot concrete tanker, it was eventually decommissioned and hauled to Seacliff Beach in 1929. By 1930, it was ...

These men examine the damage in a plane crash at the Watsonville Airport on Sept. 25, 1954. According to aviation history buff Gary Plomp, the plane is a Grumman TBF-5 Avenger Carrier, which was used in WWII as torpedo bombers and level bombers. TBFs...

These women tidy up the grounds of the Corralitos Women’s Club in preparation for an annual show on May 1, 1957. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

These senior classmates deliver a tune during an open house at Watsonville Union High School on April 27, 1955. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

Members of Native Daughters prepare for a holiday event on Oct. 26, 1959 in Watsonville. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)