CHATEAU LIBERTE
Summit Road
Summit Road
http://www.metroactive.com/arts/Chateau-Liberte-NUMU-Los-Gatos-Exhibit.html
The House That Freedom Built
NUMU Los Gatos remembers the Chateau Liberte with new exhibit
July 12, 2017 By Nick Veronin
A man wears a Sons of Champlin T-shirt during an outdoor concert at the Chateau Liberté.Old Jack Daniel's bottles, various rusty motorcycle parts, an abandoned Volkswagen minibus and what appears to be a tiny glass jar full of pills. In and of themselves, these dusty artifacts don't amount to much.
However, when illuminated in context, they are imbued with a sense of history and intrigue. Upon learning that all of these items were recovered from the Santa Cruz Mountains property known as the Chateau Liberté, myriad questions arise. For example, did any of those bike parts come off of Sonny Barger's chopper? Did that minibus belong to a Merry Prankster? And those pills—do they contain bathtub speed or are they perhaps tiny mints dosed with LSD?
All of this miscellany comprises one of the New Museum Los Gatos' newest shows, "Chateau Liberté: House of Freedom." Opening this Friday, the exhibit delves into the history of a centuries-old property, which has reinvented itself many times over the years.
Starting out as a stagecoach stop off Old Santa Cruz Highway, the Chateau Liberté has also served as a mountain resort where San Jose and Los Gatos businessmen would retreat with their "nieces"; an early example of French farm-to-table cuisine; and more recently, a nexus of the South Bay's counterculture scene.
Purchased in the mid-'60s by a woman named Pearl Regis, the Chateau Liberté was a family-run music venue and bar that threw concerts showcasing local performers. As the '60s blurred into the '70s, the Chateau built a name for itself as an out-of-the-way destinations for freaks, outcasts, artists and weirdos of all stripes. What's more, as time wore on, the Regises stepped up their bookings—bringing in the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Blue Cheer, Hot Tuna, Kingfish and Jerry Garcia. There's even a rumor floating around that Janis Joplin wanted to buy the place. Who knows?
What we do know is that the cover of the first Doobie Brothers record was photographed on the Chateau grounds and that The Doobies would frequently mention the venue in early interviews. There are also plenty of hand-drawn flyers and tickets that Amy Long, NUMU's history curator, has dredged up.
"It was kind of like this little hideaway where they could do whatever they want," Long says of the bands and party animals who would convene at the Chateau Liberté. "The police kind of ignored the place—lots of sex, drugs and rock & roll. I've heard some crazy stories that probably won't go into the exhibit."
On a recent afternoon, Long is sifting through the ephemera she's collected for the show on the lower floor of NUMU. This is where the show will have its run—along with a companion exhibit titled "Faces of Resistance: Through the Lens of Ilka Hartmann," which collects photographs Hartmann took of social justice crusaders, such as Cesar Chavez, the Black Panthers and the Indians of All Tribes group, who occupied Alcatraz from November 1969 until June 1971.
The umbrella title for the floor is called 'After the Love In', Long says, explaining that both exhibits are meant to pay homage to the Summer of Love, 50 years ago.
The Chateau Liberté shut down in 1979 and fell into disrepair. It sat vacant for about a decade and was badly hobbled by the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. The property was purchased by a local real estate agent named George Rabe in 1996, and he has since largely restored the grounds—including a painting of the Zig-Zag rolling papers man on the floor of the swimming pool.
The exhibition opens July 14, but the official launch party is scheduled for Aug. 3 at 6pm. Long says several former employees and notable patrons are set to show up for the celebration. One former bartender is flying in from Washington state for the gathering.
Chateau Liberté: House of Freedom
Jul 14, 11am, $10
NUMU, Los Gatos
numulosgatos.org
This exhibition explores the century-long history of a 72-acre property in the Los Gatos mountains that was, at different times, a stagecoach stop, restaurant, bordello, and resort. In the 1960s, the property was renamed “Chateau Liberté”, which translates to “House of Freedom” and became a magnet for motorcycle bikers and hippies who wanted to cast aside the moral compass of suburbia in this hideaway. The exhibition lays out the arc of the property’s history from its beginnings in the mid 1850s, through the 20th century, and to its present-day status as a private residence.
The focus of the exhibition is the property’s transformation into Chateau Liberté during the era of the Summer of Love – 1965 to 1975 – where it attracted some of the biggest names in rock music with Bay Area roots including: The Doobie Brothers, The Tubes, Hot Tuna, members of the Grateful Dead and a host of other artists who played the club circuit at that time. Chateau Liberté: House of Freedom / Faces of Resistance: Through the Lens of Ilka Hartmann Historic records, photographs, ephemera and stories from the locals and legends who helped to create a perfect storm of music and mayhem are just some of the artifacts and treasures on view. Visitors will see original hand drawn promotional posters and flyers, Chateau Liberté’s original carved wooden door, photos of the property’s evolution and guests, and a short documentary with interviews from local residents who frequented the Chateau back in the day.
http://www.numulosgatos.org/exhibitions-2/2017/7/14/chateau-libert-house-of-freedom
The House That Freedom Built
NUMU Los Gatos remembers the Chateau Liberte with new exhibit
July 12, 2017 By Nick Veronin
A man wears a Sons of Champlin T-shirt during an outdoor concert at the Chateau Liberté.Old Jack Daniel's bottles, various rusty motorcycle parts, an abandoned Volkswagen minibus and what appears to be a tiny glass jar full of pills. In and of themselves, these dusty artifacts don't amount to much.
However, when illuminated in context, they are imbued with a sense of history and intrigue. Upon learning that all of these items were recovered from the Santa Cruz Mountains property known as the Chateau Liberté, myriad questions arise. For example, did any of those bike parts come off of Sonny Barger's chopper? Did that minibus belong to a Merry Prankster? And those pills—do they contain bathtub speed or are they perhaps tiny mints dosed with LSD?
All of this miscellany comprises one of the New Museum Los Gatos' newest shows, "Chateau Liberté: House of Freedom." Opening this Friday, the exhibit delves into the history of a centuries-old property, which has reinvented itself many times over the years.
Starting out as a stagecoach stop off Old Santa Cruz Highway, the Chateau Liberté has also served as a mountain resort where San Jose and Los Gatos businessmen would retreat with their "nieces"; an early example of French farm-to-table cuisine; and more recently, a nexus of the South Bay's counterculture scene.
Purchased in the mid-'60s by a woman named Pearl Regis, the Chateau Liberté was a family-run music venue and bar that threw concerts showcasing local performers. As the '60s blurred into the '70s, the Chateau built a name for itself as an out-of-the-way destinations for freaks, outcasts, artists and weirdos of all stripes. What's more, as time wore on, the Regises stepped up their bookings—bringing in the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Blue Cheer, Hot Tuna, Kingfish and Jerry Garcia. There's even a rumor floating around that Janis Joplin wanted to buy the place. Who knows?
What we do know is that the cover of the first Doobie Brothers record was photographed on the Chateau grounds and that The Doobies would frequently mention the venue in early interviews. There are also plenty of hand-drawn flyers and tickets that Amy Long, NUMU's history curator, has dredged up.
"It was kind of like this little hideaway where they could do whatever they want," Long says of the bands and party animals who would convene at the Chateau Liberté. "The police kind of ignored the place—lots of sex, drugs and rock & roll. I've heard some crazy stories that probably won't go into the exhibit."
On a recent afternoon, Long is sifting through the ephemera she's collected for the show on the lower floor of NUMU. This is where the show will have its run—along with a companion exhibit titled "Faces of Resistance: Through the Lens of Ilka Hartmann," which collects photographs Hartmann took of social justice crusaders, such as Cesar Chavez, the Black Panthers and the Indians of All Tribes group, who occupied Alcatraz from November 1969 until June 1971.
The umbrella title for the floor is called 'After the Love In', Long says, explaining that both exhibits are meant to pay homage to the Summer of Love, 50 years ago.
The Chateau Liberté shut down in 1979 and fell into disrepair. It sat vacant for about a decade and was badly hobbled by the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. The property was purchased by a local real estate agent named George Rabe in 1996, and he has since largely restored the grounds—including a painting of the Zig-Zag rolling papers man on the floor of the swimming pool.
The exhibition opens July 14, but the official launch party is scheduled for Aug. 3 at 6pm. Long says several former employees and notable patrons are set to show up for the celebration. One former bartender is flying in from Washington state for the gathering.
Chateau Liberté: House of Freedom
Jul 14, 11am, $10
NUMU, Los Gatos
numulosgatos.org
This exhibition explores the century-long history of a 72-acre property in the Los Gatos mountains that was, at different times, a stagecoach stop, restaurant, bordello, and resort. In the 1960s, the property was renamed “Chateau Liberté”, which translates to “House of Freedom” and became a magnet for motorcycle bikers and hippies who wanted to cast aside the moral compass of suburbia in this hideaway. The exhibition lays out the arc of the property’s history from its beginnings in the mid 1850s, through the 20th century, and to its present-day status as a private residence.
The focus of the exhibition is the property’s transformation into Chateau Liberté during the era of the Summer of Love – 1965 to 1975 – where it attracted some of the biggest names in rock music with Bay Area roots including: The Doobie Brothers, The Tubes, Hot Tuna, members of the Grateful Dead and a host of other artists who played the club circuit at that time. Chateau Liberté: House of Freedom / Faces of Resistance: Through the Lens of Ilka Hartmann Historic records, photographs, ephemera and stories from the locals and legends who helped to create a perfect storm of music and mayhem are just some of the artifacts and treasures on view. Visitors will see original hand drawn promotional posters and flyers, Chateau Liberté’s original carved wooden door, photos of the property’s evolution and guests, and a short documentary with interviews from local residents who frequented the Chateau back in the day.
http://www.numulosgatos.org/exhibitions-2/2017/7/14/chateau-libert-house-of-freedom
The legendary rock & roll bar in the Santa Cruz mountains. The Chateau was an old stagecoach stop in the mid 19th century. In the 1960's and 70's it was owned by the Hells Angels and Gypsy Jokers, and was frequented by many bands from the Bay Area. Hot Tuna, NRPS, and members of Moby Grape, among many others played and hung out there. The Doobie Brothers were the house band. The cover of the first Doobies album was photographed in the bar. During the spring of 1973 I lived out of a van in the Redwood Grove with Skip Spence and his band. It was my first intimate encounter with nature, and was a direct inspiration in my choosing to become a painter later that year. In this picture the Grape are playing. Okie John is serving up spaghetti with sour cream and clam sauce, I'm walking out of the kitchen, and John Hartman and Tom Johnston close it out on the right.
PaulB's Pointillistic/Impressionist original oil paintings of Rock & Roll and various prints and poster formats of a wide variety of subject matter by the Pointillistic/Impressionist oil painter from landscape/waterscape paintings, dance, sports, portrait, to classical figures, flowers, rock and roll, Brazil, and Rock & Roll paintings and prints are available for purchase for as little as $24.95 for an 8" x 10" matted print on photo pape. Pointillistic/Impressionist Giclee prints of Rock & Roll on real canvas or heavy watercolor paper are available. One of a kind Rock & Roll embellished prints, which are Giclee prints retouched in genuine oil paint by PaulB. Unless noted PaulB's original Pointillistic/Impressionist oil paintiings are oil on canvas. Paul Berenson's pointillistic/Impressionist oil paintings are in privale collections around the world, including the downtown Los Angeles Athletic Club and have appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Philharmonic Playbill. PaulB.com also builds websites and PaulB is a member of the LA Web Professionals Group.
http://www.paulb.com/chateau5.htm
PaulB's Pointillistic/Impressionist original oil paintings of Rock & Roll and various prints and poster formats of a wide variety of subject matter by the Pointillistic/Impressionist oil painter from landscape/waterscape paintings, dance, sports, portrait, to classical figures, flowers, rock and roll, Brazil, and Rock & Roll paintings and prints are available for purchase for as little as $24.95 for an 8" x 10" matted print on photo pape. Pointillistic/Impressionist Giclee prints of Rock & Roll on real canvas or heavy watercolor paper are available. One of a kind Rock & Roll embellished prints, which are Giclee prints retouched in genuine oil paint by PaulB. Unless noted PaulB's original Pointillistic/Impressionist oil paintiings are oil on canvas. Paul Berenson's pointillistic/Impressionist oil paintings are in privale collections around the world, including the downtown Los Angeles Athletic Club and have appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Philharmonic Playbill. PaulB.com also builds websites and PaulB is a member of the LA Web Professionals Group.
http://www.paulb.com/chateau5.htm
Chateau Liberté
Rock & roll memories linger at Chateau LIberté in the Santa Cruz Mountains
July 28, 2010 - by Gary Singh
SUNKEN TREASURE: The pool at Chateau Liberté was graced by the ubiquitous image of the Zig-Zag Man.THE ONLY San Jose band ever to make a cameo appearance on the '70s sitcom What's Happening, is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Doobie Brothers began in 1970, releasing their self-titled debut the following year.
The cover of that album showed the band hanging out at Chateau Liberté, a now-legendary biker bar in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the Doobies got their start. This year, the band releases a new album with a new track, "Back to the Chateau," dedicated to the venue, which existed until the mid-'70s.
"The Chateau," as the mountain ilk still say, was located on a muddy dirt path off Old Santa Cruz Highway, buried amid the gargantuan redwoods. The Hell's Angels ran the place for years, and the parties were over the top. Since the building was down the hill from the main road and somewhat difficult to reach, the sheriffs often just refused to drive all the way in.
Many bands played at the Chateau, including the earliest version of the Tubes and several offshoots of the Grateful Dead and the Jefferson Airplane. Skip Spence of Moby Grape, who had actually introduced the Doobie Brothers to each other, occasionally stayed in a van just outside the chateau. Hot Tuna recorded its live album, First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, at Chateau Liberté. In Jeff Tamarkin's book Got a Revolution, Jorma Kaukonen described the place: "It was a shit-kicking log cabin bar, an old stage stop in 1800s. It had very low ceilings and was down a muddy road. The sound was horrendous. We played there a lot and wanted to do this album there."
Previously, in the late 19th century, the building was a stop on the old Wells Fargo stagecoach line from San Jose to Santa Cruz. From 1920 to 1945 it was Chateau Boussy, a French restaurant and luxury hideaway for high-society types and politicians who needed a spot to bring their mistresses.
But many folks from the Chateau Liberté era still remain and continue to circulate their memories of the place. People of all shapes and sizes attended the festivities to eat, drink and listen to music. It was a communal atmosphere—a temporary autonomous zone of the most inspiring sort.
W.J. McKay, who first frequented the joint as a teenager, recalled how everyone seemed to get along: "You had people that were totally politically opposite, socially opposite," he told me. "Bikers and hippies were about as different as people could be, and yet they totally co-existed up there. They even had their own underground economy going on. Dope had an established exchange rate. Pot was worth so much in weight, for so many hits of acid. The hippies and the bikers totally worked together. They exchanged food, they worked on each other's vehicles, they did chores for each other."
Local real estate agent George Rabe currently owns and lives on the 72 acres where the Chateau sits. He restored the building and remains immersed in its history, so much that he went out of his way to give us a personal tour of the property. Oil painter Paul Berenson, who in 1973 lived in the redwoods right outside the Chateau, even drove up from Santa Barbara for the tour. It was the first time he'd been to the property in 37 years.
"It made me realize how much I didn't appreciate it back then." Berenson told me. "And how big of an influence it was on me. That was my first real appreciation of nature."
The Chateau Liberté scene was true counterculture in the sense that it could only have happened at that particular time and place. It was a uniquely Northern California scenario.
"It wasn't just a legendary rock & roll bar," McKay said. "It was an example of music and people breaking barriers, for better or worse, in one of the most beautiful natural coastal rain forests in the world. It was a scene that will never be re-created, and hopefully never forgotten."
www.metroactive.com/features/columns/silicon-alleys_20100728.html
Rock & roll memories linger at Chateau LIberté in the Santa Cruz Mountains
July 28, 2010 - by Gary Singh
SUNKEN TREASURE: The pool at Chateau Liberté was graced by the ubiquitous image of the Zig-Zag Man.THE ONLY San Jose band ever to make a cameo appearance on the '70s sitcom What's Happening, is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Doobie Brothers began in 1970, releasing their self-titled debut the following year.
The cover of that album showed the band hanging out at Chateau Liberté, a now-legendary biker bar in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the Doobies got their start. This year, the band releases a new album with a new track, "Back to the Chateau," dedicated to the venue, which existed until the mid-'70s.
"The Chateau," as the mountain ilk still say, was located on a muddy dirt path off Old Santa Cruz Highway, buried amid the gargantuan redwoods. The Hell's Angels ran the place for years, and the parties were over the top. Since the building was down the hill from the main road and somewhat difficult to reach, the sheriffs often just refused to drive all the way in.
Many bands played at the Chateau, including the earliest version of the Tubes and several offshoots of the Grateful Dead and the Jefferson Airplane. Skip Spence of Moby Grape, who had actually introduced the Doobie Brothers to each other, occasionally stayed in a van just outside the chateau. Hot Tuna recorded its live album, First Pull Up, Then Pull Down, at Chateau Liberté. In Jeff Tamarkin's book Got a Revolution, Jorma Kaukonen described the place: "It was a shit-kicking log cabin bar, an old stage stop in 1800s. It had very low ceilings and was down a muddy road. The sound was horrendous. We played there a lot and wanted to do this album there."
Previously, in the late 19th century, the building was a stop on the old Wells Fargo stagecoach line from San Jose to Santa Cruz. From 1920 to 1945 it was Chateau Boussy, a French restaurant and luxury hideaway for high-society types and politicians who needed a spot to bring their mistresses.
But many folks from the Chateau Liberté era still remain and continue to circulate their memories of the place. People of all shapes and sizes attended the festivities to eat, drink and listen to music. It was a communal atmosphere—a temporary autonomous zone of the most inspiring sort.
W.J. McKay, who first frequented the joint as a teenager, recalled how everyone seemed to get along: "You had people that were totally politically opposite, socially opposite," he told me. "Bikers and hippies were about as different as people could be, and yet they totally co-existed up there. They even had their own underground economy going on. Dope had an established exchange rate. Pot was worth so much in weight, for so many hits of acid. The hippies and the bikers totally worked together. They exchanged food, they worked on each other's vehicles, they did chores for each other."
Local real estate agent George Rabe currently owns and lives on the 72 acres where the Chateau sits. He restored the building and remains immersed in its history, so much that he went out of his way to give us a personal tour of the property. Oil painter Paul Berenson, who in 1973 lived in the redwoods right outside the Chateau, even drove up from Santa Barbara for the tour. It was the first time he'd been to the property in 37 years.
"It made me realize how much I didn't appreciate it back then." Berenson told me. "And how big of an influence it was on me. That was my first real appreciation of nature."
The Chateau Liberté scene was true counterculture in the sense that it could only have happened at that particular time and place. It was a uniquely Northern California scenario.
"It wasn't just a legendary rock & roll bar," McKay said. "It was an example of music and people breaking barriers, for better or worse, in one of the most beautiful natural coastal rain forests in the world. It was a scene that will never be re-created, and hopefully never forgotten."
www.metroactive.com/features/columns/silicon-alleys_20100728.html
The Chateau Liberté was a legendary rock & roll bar in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The following piece of history is added by Pearl Regis Owner/Operator of the lease at the Chateau along with her family. Prior to that name (Chateau Liberte) , it was called the Redwood Chateau 1965 - 1967 and then Chateau Regis (1967 - 1971)
This is the period the Doobie Brothers,Quick Silver,Elvin Bishop,WildWood and other legendary rock groups got their start or played there. It was not a "biker" bar until Jim Richardson bought the lease in 1971 and called it Chateau Liberté (which means "House of Freedom"). The bar was a magical, rockin'-sockin' fun place to go and was patronized by the local Mountain Folk, Cowboys and equestrians, Professional people such as Airline Pilots, Doctors, Lawyers, Heavy Construction Equipment Operators, Artists, Scientists, Musicians, Poets, Families, "hippies" and other eclectic groups. It had been restored to replicate the structure circa 1920. The swimming pool was left in place, and could have been viewed as folks sat at the log-hewn bar.
Location: Although it was in Santa Clara County, it was in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Old Santa Cruz Highway (in Santa Clara County). Many people assume it was in Santa Cruz County. Some people think it was "Just off Highway Nine" (WAY OFF!) Some remember, "Off Summit Road." (Close.)
The actual site is now private property reachable by a fenced private road off Old Santa Cruz Highway. This is the same road that was used for access to the Chateau previously . The property has been privately owned and well taken care of since 1996. Big Creek Lumber Company of Davenport, California did perform a "Select Timber Harvest" prior to current ownership .
Early History: It started as a stagecoach stop in the mid 19th century, well before Highway 17 or even the Old Santa Cruz Highway was built. In the 20th century it was an inn and restaurant owned by the Samuels family in the 50's. From about 1947 to the mid 60's it was just a restaurant. It was one of the nicer restaurants in the area. It was near the town called Holy City, off of the Old Santa Cruz highway. For just $3.00 per month any local family could use the pool and hike the property. They had small horse rodeos and "movie nights" .
It went through at least two owners in the 1960's. It became Chateau Liberté in 1971. Many references have it with "e" instead of "é" (called e acute). For a web search use a standard "e" in the spelling. From the late 60's through the 1970's it was known as a music hangout where anything could happen.
Music: Many bands from the Bay Area played here including Hot Tuna, NRPS, Kingfish, Jerry Garcia, Merl Saunders, Deep Purple, Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks, and members of Moby Grape. The cover of the first Doobie Brothers album was photographed in the bar. As typical of many legends, rumors put everyone there. Tina Turner — maybe. Janis Joplin — no way. (Excuse me here says Pearl - While Janis never entertained there, she visited the Chateau with an entourage thinking to purchase the property. The old Dr. Moore out of San Francisco, who owned the place at the time wouldn't hear of it....he didn't like her.) Tower of Power played outdoors on a stage in the Redwood trees in 1972 with Blue Mountain. Rumor was that 300 tickets were sold and well over 3,000 people showed up. Cars were parallel parked on Highway 17 . This was also possibly one of the reasons "The Chateau" would soon reach it's "Rock & Roll" end ! Photo's at http://www.korgnorthwest.com/Blue_mountain.htm
Chateau Liberté was associated with bikers. First the Gypsy Jokers and later Hells Angels. The bikers also worked there. This helped feed rumors of a "biker city" or "biker camp" in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The cottages of the early inn were in use by workers and renters. It wouldn't have been too easy to live there with shows that linger on into the wee hours of the night and motorcycles coming and going often.
There were many rumors of Chateau Liberté about drugs, crime, music, fun, and danger. They were mostly true.
2010-09-08 10:17:58 My name is Dave Adams and I was co-owner of the Chateau with Fred Cramer from 72 until we closed the place up in 74. What a trip it is to read all the rumors and lore of people's wonderful(and not so wonderful) life changing experiences at the Chateau. I will attest to the wild and awesome times that took place there in the 70's. I can be reached at-adamscdavid@surewest.net. I am alive and well, contrary to rumors and folk lore. ps. Fred's doin ok too.
https://localwiki.org/santacruz/Chateau_Libert%C3%A9
This is the period the Doobie Brothers,Quick Silver,Elvin Bishop,WildWood and other legendary rock groups got their start or played there. It was not a "biker" bar until Jim Richardson bought the lease in 1971 and called it Chateau Liberté (which means "House of Freedom"). The bar was a magical, rockin'-sockin' fun place to go and was patronized by the local Mountain Folk, Cowboys and equestrians, Professional people such as Airline Pilots, Doctors, Lawyers, Heavy Construction Equipment Operators, Artists, Scientists, Musicians, Poets, Families, "hippies" and other eclectic groups. It had been restored to replicate the structure circa 1920. The swimming pool was left in place, and could have been viewed as folks sat at the log-hewn bar.
Location: Although it was in Santa Clara County, it was in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Old Santa Cruz Highway (in Santa Clara County). Many people assume it was in Santa Cruz County. Some people think it was "Just off Highway Nine" (WAY OFF!) Some remember, "Off Summit Road." (Close.)
The actual site is now private property reachable by a fenced private road off Old Santa Cruz Highway. This is the same road that was used for access to the Chateau previously . The property has been privately owned and well taken care of since 1996. Big Creek Lumber Company of Davenport, California did perform a "Select Timber Harvest" prior to current ownership .
Early History: It started as a stagecoach stop in the mid 19th century, well before Highway 17 or even the Old Santa Cruz Highway was built. In the 20th century it was an inn and restaurant owned by the Samuels family in the 50's. From about 1947 to the mid 60's it was just a restaurant. It was one of the nicer restaurants in the area. It was near the town called Holy City, off of the Old Santa Cruz highway. For just $3.00 per month any local family could use the pool and hike the property. They had small horse rodeos and "movie nights" .
It went through at least two owners in the 1960's. It became Chateau Liberté in 1971. Many references have it with "e" instead of "é" (called e acute). For a web search use a standard "e" in the spelling. From the late 60's through the 1970's it was known as a music hangout where anything could happen.
Music: Many bands from the Bay Area played here including Hot Tuna, NRPS, Kingfish, Jerry Garcia, Merl Saunders, Deep Purple, Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks, and members of Moby Grape. The cover of the first Doobie Brothers album was photographed in the bar. As typical of many legends, rumors put everyone there. Tina Turner — maybe. Janis Joplin — no way. (Excuse me here says Pearl - While Janis never entertained there, she visited the Chateau with an entourage thinking to purchase the property. The old Dr. Moore out of San Francisco, who owned the place at the time wouldn't hear of it....he didn't like her.) Tower of Power played outdoors on a stage in the Redwood trees in 1972 with Blue Mountain. Rumor was that 300 tickets were sold and well over 3,000 people showed up. Cars were parallel parked on Highway 17 . This was also possibly one of the reasons "The Chateau" would soon reach it's "Rock & Roll" end ! Photo's at http://www.korgnorthwest.com/Blue_mountain.htm
Chateau Liberté was associated with bikers. First the Gypsy Jokers and later Hells Angels. The bikers also worked there. This helped feed rumors of a "biker city" or "biker camp" in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The cottages of the early inn were in use by workers and renters. It wouldn't have been too easy to live there with shows that linger on into the wee hours of the night and motorcycles coming and going often.
There were many rumors of Chateau Liberté about drugs, crime, music, fun, and danger. They were mostly true.
2010-09-08 10:17:58 My name is Dave Adams and I was co-owner of the Chateau with Fred Cramer from 72 until we closed the place up in 74. What a trip it is to read all the rumors and lore of people's wonderful(and not so wonderful) life changing experiences at the Chateau. I will attest to the wild and awesome times that took place there in the 70's. I can be reached at-adamscdavid@surewest.net. I am alive and well, contrary to rumors and folk lore. ps. Fred's doin ok too.
https://localwiki.org/santacruz/Chateau_Libert%C3%A9
Hot Tuna And Muskrat Fun and the next night Muskrat Fun! And then the Doobie Brothers on the weekend! Also the "Beans" who were the "Tubes"!
Amy Long
March 15Hello all. We are working on an exhibit on the Chateau for the New Museum Los Gatos. It will open in July . There will be an opening event on August 3rd. In the meantime I would love to get some photos from people of their time there. If you have any photos you are willing to have in the exhibit please scan at 600 dpi if possible (no less than 300) and email with a statement of permission to use to historycuratorlg@gmail.com. If you have a good story to share, let me know and I will contact you. Thank you!
March 15Hello all. We are working on an exhibit on the Chateau for the New Museum Los Gatos. It will open in July . There will be an opening event on August 3rd. In the meantime I would love to get some photos from people of their time there. If you have any photos you are willing to have in the exhibit please scan at 600 dpi if possible (no less than 300) and email with a statement of permission to use to historycuratorlg@gmail.com. If you have a good story to share, let me know and I will contact you. Thank you!
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The liquid light shows at The Chateau Liberte' were the creations of the late Captain Whizzo (Michael J. Elzea). Whizzo even lived in the basement of The Chateau for awhile.(with a few ghosts!) Here is Captain Whizzo in February of 1968.
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Hot Tuna - March 3, 1971 - Chateau Liberte - Santa Cruz,
Muskrat Fun! L-R, The Swan, The Duck, Da Flo' and Da Killer!
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The Brotherhood of Eternal Love, Inc.
[Non-Profit public benefit 501(c)3 organization ID#C3530677]
501(c)(3) — Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary
BEL Promotes Well Being
This site does not advocate or encourage any illegal activity. It is an archive of public history records.
http://www.brotherhoodofeternallove.org/
"Official" BEL History Site & Archive
(c)2013-2017, Brotherhood of Eternal Love
The BEL Promotes Well Being
This site does not advocate or encourage any illegal activity.
Created by Robert Ackerly and Iona Miller
The Brotherhood of Eternal Love, Inc.
[Non-Profit public benefit 501(c)3 organization ID#C3530677]
501(c)(3) — Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary
BEL Promotes Well Being
This site does not advocate or encourage any illegal activity. It is an archive of public history records.
http://www.brotherhoodofeternallove.org/
"Official" BEL History Site & Archive
