'Castle Beach' History Marked At Seabright State Beach

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A new gate and bilingual interpretive signs will soon transport back in time visitors of the Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, a local non-profit announced Thursday.

The Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks said installations will be publicly unveiled on August 19 at 10 a.m. with a short program at the main Seabright State Beach entrance at Mott Avenue and East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.

"Seabright State Beach is a wonderful example of a local state beach that has had many uses over the years," Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, said in a statement.

Seabright State Beach used to be home to the Scholl Mar Castle, a local tourist attraction built in 1929 which once drew visitors with its snack bar, ocean view dining and hot saltwater baths. The appearance of the structure, which resembled a castle, led tourists and locals alike to call the area "Castle Beach" in its post-war heyday.

Having served as a local landmark in Seabright neighborhood for nearly 40 years, the Scholl-Mar Castle was demolished in 1967 after the property sustained major damage in a fire.

Donations to the project came from community members, along with funding from the Friends Board of Directors, the non-profit said.

"Thanks to a multi-year collaboration between the Seabright Neighbors Association, California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, this vibrant piece of local history is now on display for the community," Hawley said.

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