Holy City, California
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 09.421 W 121° 58.914
10S E 590401 N 4112776
Holy City is a virtual ghost town in the Santa Cruz mountains of California.
Waymark Code: WM63V8
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/28/2009
Views: 8
Holy City was founded by William Riker in 1919 on the Old Santa Cruz Highway. The town consisted of a restaurant, a service station and an observatory. Although it was founded as a religious place, no church was ever built. Eventually, there became a weekly newspaper and a short-lived radio station.
It was believed by its followers to be the future center of the world. In the 1930's a sign along the road proclaimed "William E. Riker, The only man who can save California from going plum to hell."
The population grew from an initial 30 to a peak of 300. When Highway 17 opened, tourism along the old road dropped. Today all that remains is the old post office building, which has been converted to Art Glass, a hand-blown glass shop. There are 3-4 residents left.
The posted coordinates are for the sign, leading to Holy City.