Brookdale Lodge

Roadside Distractions

BROOKDALE LODGE

Logging was a major industry throughout California’s  Santa Cruz Mountains in the late 1800’s supported by narrow gauge railroads that transported the timber to the numerous mills for processing, and then hauled the milled lumber to the San Francisco Bay Area. The railroads also brought visitors into mountains for relaxation at peaceful resorts, rustic cabins and popular campgrounds. One of the more unusual resorts, Brookdale Lodge, was established on the site of a former Lumber Mill on Clear Creek in 1923.

The Santa Cruz Mountains are also known for it’s roadside attractions beginning in the first decades of the last century. The Lost World dinosaurs, curious Circus Trees, puzzling Mystery Spot, and weird Holy City were established to attract passing motorists, so it’s not surprising that the owners of the Brookdale Lodge came up with the idea to create the famous Brook Room featuring trees, natural foliage and an actual natural stream running through the center of the restaurant.

In it’s day, the Brookdale Lodge was one of the most popular resorts in California hosting “A” list Hollywood stars, prominent families, diplomats, big band entertainment and at least one president (Herbert Hoover was a frequent guest and enjoyed fishing from the dining room bridge). However things began to sour when twelve year old Gladys Logan died from a fall in the creek and an unnamed teenage girl drowned in the hotel pool. Confirmed and supposed mysterious incidents fed the rumor that the property was haunted and the struggling lodge began falling into disrepair. By the early 2000’s frequent ownership changes, several fires, vandalism by squatters and numerous code violations resulted in the lodges closure. New ownership has invested millions of dollars over the last decade renovating Brookdale Lodge, once the destination of the rich and famous, as a roadside paranormal attraction featured in several “ghost hunter”shows and drawing a new curious generation to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

-Bill  8/24

“This unique dining room has a running stream the year round, with trees and plants growing in the native soil”  Circa 1940’s vintage postcard.