Betty Lewis

It is no exaggeration to say that Betty Lewis has researched and written more about Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley than any other historian.

by Jane Borg

In November of 2008, the Pajaro Valley lost its most prolific and long term historical researcher with the death of Betty Lewis. Santa Cruz native Betty Bagbey Lewis, historian, writer and a past president of the Pajaro Valley Historical Association, was named City Historian in 2005 by a Watsonville City Council proclamation presented by Mayor Anna Ventura Phares. The City's recognition culminated Betty's almost four decades of research and writing local history. Just a week after her death, she was awarded posthumously "Historian of the Year" by the History Forum of the Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz.

Since the early 1970s Betty Lewis had researched, written and published the history of Watsonville, a Central California coastal community established in 1852. In addition to her 33 years of writing weekly columns for the Register-Pajaronian, she has also been a contributor to other California newspapers and historical journals. Betty has researched, written and published more than ten historical books and pamphlets. Basic references for teachers, students, and general researchers are Watsonville, Memories That Linger (vols. I and II), Highlights in the History of Watsonville and the transcripts of her more than 100 radio programs.

Betty Lewis was a member of many historical organizations and was past president of both the Pajaro Valley Historical Association and the Pajaro Valley Questers. She was a member of the Rodgers' House restoration committee. Her awards are numerous and include appreciation and commendations for many special projects. In 1987 she was named Woman of the Year by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, and in 1996 she received the Rotary's Paul Harris Award for outstanding community service.

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Betty Lewis has authorized the Pajaro Valley Historical Association have access to her historical research and articles via this web site. Thanks to the efforts of the tireless volunteers of PVHA more and more articles will be available as time goes on. Special thanks to Regan Huerta, PVHA Librarian, Susan Renison WPL research librarian who have created the following indices of Betty Lewis' works for the Pajaro Valley Historical Association. Please check back frequently as the following pages will be up-dated as we get new material, and convert those articles to html code.

Betty Lewis Articles - Archive Binders Indices