An economic investigation into the origins of Santa Cruz County, its development and fall of industries, and the present economy as of 1947. It's broken into six chapters: a summary of Mrs. Parrish's 1924 book on early county history, the economic conditions of the county in 1850, the development of agriculture, trade & transportation, and tourism.

Notables: Juan Cabrillo, Cermeno, Viscaino, Gaspar de Portola, Palou, Hermengildo Sal, Francisco de Lasuen, Zack Taylor, San Francisquito Creek, Jose Castro, Manuel Jimeno, Atherton, Chittenden, Ricardo Castro, Pierre Swainsewain, Santa Cruz and Felton Railroad, Charles Silent, Paul Sweet, San Agustin Rancho, R. C. Kirby, Joseph Majors / Joseph L. Majors, Isaac E. Davis, A. P. Jordan, W. H. Martin, John Daubenbiss, Vallejo, Santa Cruz Wharf, Job F. Dye, grist mill, distillery, Thomas J. Farnham, Monterey Bar, Long's Bar, Isaac Graham, William Blackburn, Juanita, James Blackburn, Jacob A. Blackburn, alcalde, Zachary Taylor, J. B. Hill, Salsipuedes Rancho, Arnesti, John H. Watson, Bolsa del Pajaro, Sebastian Rodriguez, Pedro Rodriguez, squatters, sugar beets, W. T. Garrat, Western Beet Sugar Factory, milch cows, wheat, potatoes, Santa Cruz Mountain Winery, Ben Lomond Wine Company, Union Vineyard, John Hames, Isaac Williams, E. F. Peckham, G. M. Bockins, Charles Williams, Jesse D. Carr, apples, lettuce, artichokes, Titus Fey Cronise, sequoia sempervirens, F. A. Hihn, Loma Prieta Lumber Company, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Hihn Company, J. L. Halstead, Grover and Company, Davis and Jordan, H. W. Cowell / Henry Cowell Company, flour mill, Dodero, California Powder Works, John H. Baird, bituminous rock, Tom Major, Calrock Company, Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company, Kron and Company, Aptos Mill, Cunningham and Company, Santa Cruz Tannery, Correlotis, Hoy Creek, San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, Danforth Porters Line, J. D. Cowden, Southern Pacific Railroad, Whiskey Hill