Woods, John

John Woods (1818-1887), after serving a year in the Mexican-American war, was already in the California gold country in 1848 when gold was discovered. Later that year, he came to Santa Cruz, eventually settling on a farm on the west side of the Arana Gulch estuary known as Woods Lagoon. In the 1960s, Woods Lagoon was converted into today's Santa Cruz Harbor.

Woods was a charter member of the Soc. of Pioneers. Daughters Emma and Laura Woods were honorary members.