The centerpiece of a popular shrine at Pinto Lake County Park—an oak tree with growth patterns that many believe resembled Our Lady of Guadalupe—has long since died and been removed.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a title for the Virgin Mary and is tied to Catholic tradition in Mexico.
The Pinto Lake site has drawn visitors since June 17, 1992, when Watsonville resident Anita Mendoza Contreras said she saw an image of the Virgin Mary in the tree’s bark near the lake. The tree later became the center of a pilgrimage site.
But heavy foot traffic and constant visitation took a toll on the oak.
Even after the tree’s removal, the shrine continued drawing people to pray and pay their respects.
That changed recently, when someone removed the display, alarming devotees. The shrine has since been recovered and returned to Santa Cruz County staff, officials said.
County Parks staff confirmed they were aware the site had been taken. The county later contacted the person who removed it and received its return “without incident,” according to a county statement.
“In recognition of the shrine’s importance to the community, Parks staff are now working to establish a more permanent and secure display that will be less vulnerable to removal,” county officials said.
The updated installation is expected to be in place within the next seven to 10 days.
Hundreds of bouquets, votive candles, photographs, handwritten notes and personal items have been left at the site over the years. A small amphitheater of wooden benches once surrounded the oak.
In Catholic tradition, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to a young boy, Juan Diego, in Mexico in 1531. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is among the most revered religious figures in Mexico, and Dec. 12—celebrated as a national holiday in Mexico—marks the apparition.
County officials did not say when the shrine was removed, how long it was gone, or whether any damage occurred. Parks staff said they are now working on a more permanent display intended to prevent future removal.
The devotional site has been a flashpoint before. In past years, county officials altered or removed benches and other structures near the oak, citing concerns about tree health, fire risk and impacts from heavy foot traffic and the accumulation of offerings.
County Parks staff said the goal now is to preserve the memorial and keep it accessible while making it more secure.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we work to honor the intent of the memorial while ensuring its long-term preservation,” the county said.
