The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows:

SANTA CRUZ, san'ta crooce, a county in the W. part of California, has an area of above 500 square miles. It is bounded on the S. W. by the Pacific, and is separated on the S. from Monterey county by the Rio Pajaro, flowing into that ocean. The surface is generally uneven or hilly, with a range called the Santa Cruz mountains running on the N. E. border. The soil in the more level portions is usually fertile, and well cultivated. Barley, wheat, potatoes, cattle, and horses are the staples. In 1852 this county produced 60,149 bushels of barley; 7028 of wheat, and 156,202 of potatoes. There were 8062 beef cattle, 1582 cows, and 1029 horses. Gold is found, although not in great abundance. The streams of this county afford valuable water-power. Capital, Santa Cruz. Population, 1219.