Organized in 1938, Soquel Pioneer and Historical Association is a community organization that sponsors an annual picnic each July to commemorate the town’s history and its role in the development of Santa Cruz County. There are no membership restrictions. Everyone interested in sharing and preserving Soquel history is invited to participate in this traditional celebration that keeps the past alive.

A Soquel Pioneer and Historical Association committee worked four years to create a history of Soquel. The long-awaited book is a newly released title in the Arcadia Publishing Company Images of America Series. It may be obtained for a donation of $22 at the Soquel Porter Memorial Library. As a gift to Soquel, Stan Stevens, Librarian Emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz, compiled an index that is now available for a donation to benefit the association and library. Library hours are 12-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00am to 2:00pm Saturday.

Upcoming Events:

July 28th, 2012 -- 74th Annual Pioneer Picnic at Pringle Grove (click for flyer)

The Pioneers own many artifacts, books and pictures, some of which are at the Porter Memorial Library on Porter Street in Soquel. It is the hope of the group to someday have a Museum dedicated to the history of Soquel so that more can be displayed.

The Association has traditionally taken an active role in promoting the community and its events, including history talks at the Soquel Porter Memorial Library, and in 2002, the town's 150th birthday celebration.

The Soquel Pioneer and Historical Association is an organization of volunteers and is supported by donations from friends who would like to see the history of Soquel preserved.

Current board members:

Richard Nutter, President - dicknutter@earthlink.net
Judy Parsons, Vice President - juudy@aol.com
Lynda Lewit, Secretary - lynlewi@comcast.net
David Lewit, Treasurer - david@davidlewit.net
Ted Maddock - tedder.m@sbcglobal.net
Alice Daubenbis - alice@cruzio.com

Soquel Pioneers, 5270 Pringle Lane, Soquel, CA 95073