Samuel Henry “Harry” Cowell, who died at 93 years old in 1955, was the last surviving member of the Cowell family and the last owner of the family’s vast local business. On Feb. 19, his 150th birthday party will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the UC Santa Cruz Women’s Center, which was the original Cowell family home in the mid-19th century. The party will celebrate the Cowell family legacy, which pops up in Santa Cruz everywhere, especially in the names and histories of its places. After amassing his family’s lime business, Harry Cowell donated part of his sprawling land to become Cowell Beach and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. UC Santa Cruz, Pogonip and many other local sites were also formerly Cowell land. To learn more, or if you’re just looking for some free birthday cake, R.S.V.P. by Feb. 16 at community.ucsc.edu/cowell150 or by calling 459-1254.
FOLLOW US
