Bonny Doon has already been in the international spotlight twice this year: first, because it lay along the route of the Amgen Tour of California, the largest cycling event in America – a 750-mile course from Sacramento to Escondido (February 14-22); and second, because of the infamous Lockheed Fire that started on August 12th causing the evacuation of 2,400 people and burning 7,817 acres of wilderness (with no one’s home being lost, thanks to our highly skilled and dedicated first responders).
Founded in the 1850s as a logging camp and named by Scotsman John Burns after a line in Robert Burns’ song, The Banks O’Doon (Ye banks and braes o’bonnie Doon …), this unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County has a church, two fire stations, an elementary school, and a private-use airport. Visitors may also be aware of Bonny Doon Winery, which last year moved into Santa Cruz, and Beauregard Winery, which took over that winery location and expanded its premises and vineyards.
Beauregard Vineyard: first rain of the season, September 13, 2009
A number of educators, artists, craftsmen, and musicians also hail from Bonny Doon. Periodically, Morgan Rankin, editor of the Battle Mountain News (mailed free-of-charge to all residents monthly), publishes a directory of services that more accurately accounts for the various talents of people who live here. Bonny Doon also is a prime spot for hiking, especially in the Fall (see Gray Day Maple ~ rt).
But the most magnificent aspects are the forest and natural rural beauty of Bonny Doon that haven’t changed for half a century. And this is no accident. Since 1957, the Rural Bonny Doon Association has been working to keep it this way. If you go to their website, you’ll be impressed with how many battles against encroaching development they’ve fought and won. One example of local citizens dedicating their time and energy for the benefit and common good of their community.
I’ll bet you that this model has repeated itself by the thousands in different ways all over our country. And I venture to conclude that this kind of giving is what sustains our nation in these economically uncertain times.
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Book by Tom Taber is an excellent hiking guide.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice post. Don’t forget about the mysterious Lockheed Martin campus and Boomer’s Castle!
Thank you Viktoria – that is a very nice piece about the Boony Doon area and history.
Viktoria, thank you for the kind words and thoughts about the RBDA. And for your gorgeous pictures!