Derek R. Whaley

Goodreads Author


Born
in Santa Cruz, California, The United States
Website

Genre

Member Since
March 2015

URL


Derek R. Whaley is a historian, librarian, and former resident of Felton, California. He earned a doctorate in history from the University of Canterbury in 2018. He began researching Santa Cruz County history in 2011 and continues to do so from overseas. He has worked at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and The Tech Museum of Innovation, volunteered at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum and Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, and is well-known for his Santa Cruz Trains book series and website. He currently lives in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Railroad: Southern Pacific's Pajaro Branch

Santa Cruz County had much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1871. Following years of debate, investment, and disappointment, the county was finally connected to the rest of the United States via rail. On November 27, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed the Pajaro Branch—a 17.2-mile standard-gauge line from Gilroy to a tiny village across the Pajaro River from Watsonville. W

Read more of this blog post »
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 27, 2025 12:00
Average rating: 4.33 · 12 ratings · 7 reviews · 15 distinct works
The Tragedy of Martina Cast...

by
4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings2 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Shadow of Loma Prieta: ...

by
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings2 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Reign of the Lumber Bar...

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Reign of the Lumber Bar...

by
3.50 avg rating — 2 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
Santa Cruz Trains: Railroad...

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2015 — 4 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Santa Cruz Trains: Reflecti...

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
SIDETRACKED: Laurel & Glenwood

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
SIDETRACKED: The Santa Cruz...

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Wilted Lily: Representa...

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
Santa Cruz Trains Sourceboo...

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
More books by Derek R. Whaley…

Derek’s Recent Updates

Derek R. Whaley wrote a new blog post

Railroad: Southern Pacific's Pajaro Branch

Santa Cruz County had much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1871. Following years of debate, investment, and disappointment, the c Read more of this blog post »
Derek Whaley has read
Santa Cruz Trains Sourcebook by Derek R. Whaley
Rate this book
Clear rating
Derek Whaley has read
The Wilted Lily by Derek R. Whaley
Rate this book
Clear rating
Derek Whaley has read
SIDETRACKED by Derek R. Whaley
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Reign of the Lumber Barons by Ronald G. Powell
"The second of a three-part history of the Rancho Soquel Augmentation is solely focused on the logging industry and efforts to support it. Key movers and shakers of that industry, and Santa Cruz County politics show up in the transactions of ownership" Read more of this review »
The Reign of the Lumber Barons by Ronald G. Powell
"An interesting, light hearted read, filled with vintage Gilded age clips from news of the logging camps, complete with verbiage , style of writing & words used during that era; the kindle dictionary came in handy . I read this with a map of the area " Read more of this review »
The Shadow of Loma Prieta by Ronald G. Powell
"Finally finished all 3 volumes 👏🏼👏🏼
Very rewarding experience, brought back memories. Remembering that area as a young boy before Santa Cruz, Soquel, Capitola & Aptos were one continuous sprawl. There were fields & countryside in between. Aptos & Capi" Read more of this review »
" Please link https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
to my author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I am the transcriber, translator, edito
...more "
More of Derek's books…
220 Goodreads Librarians Group — 308899 members — last activity 1 minute ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
No comments have been added yet.