History Pages: 54 - Timeline of Santa Cruz City, County government

• 1846-1850: From the beginning of US military occupation in July, 1846 until adoption of a state constitution in November 1849, local government operated under the military occupation government of California, keeping the existing Mexican civil structure, conducting business in the Mexican juzgado.
  • The Alcaldes of Branciforte-Santa Cruz (1802-1850)
  • Interim Government of California
  • California Government between 1846 and 1851
• 1850: Santa Cruz County created following California statehood on September 8; previously appointed officials remain
• 1852: First County elections to fill new County offices
• 1852: County buys lot and building on Plaza from Thomas Fallon
• 1857: County builds wooden jail (see: Jails) on former Fallon lot (now a Holy Cross church parking lot)
• 1864: County builds second jail, of cut stone blocks.
• 1866: County builds first courthouse on Cooper Street
• 1866: Town of Santa Cruz (1866) incorporated; 3-member board of trustees elected
  • Santa Cruz Board of Trustees and Presidents, 1866-1875
• 1876: City of Santa Cruz (1876) chartered
  • Santa Cruz Common Councils and Mayors, 1876-1906
  • Santa Cruz Councils and Mayors, 1907-2017
• 1876: First Santa Cruz City Hall (1876) built on Front Street