Watsonville, California

Watsonville is a coastal city in the Pajaro Valley in California. Located in Santa Cruz County, Watsonville has a current population of just over 51,000 residents. Watsonville was first settled in 1852, and incorporated in 1868. The city has a diverse economy, with agriculture and food processing playing a substantial role. Among Watsonville's top employers are FOX Factory, Inc., S. Martinelli & Company, and boating supply distributors West Marine.

Watsonville's mild, stable coastal climate and broad grasslands initially attracted ranchers. The 1848 gold rush brought new settlers, many of whom took up fruit and vegetable farming, growing crops such as berries, apples, mushrooms and lettuce. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1871 improved transport, and in 1877, James Waters sent the first crop of strawberries from Watsonville to San Francisco. In 1917, area fruit growers combined to form Naturipe Berry Growers, which is still active today. Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc. traces its roots to 1904, when its founders began growing a patented strawberry variety, "Sweet Briar." Although it operated only from 1888 to 1898, the Western Beet Sugar Company's Watsonville factory produced nearly 100,000 pounds of sugar daily, providing valuable jobs and revenue for the city during a time of economic downturn. Agriculture and related fields are still dominant in Watsonville, though relations between owners and workers have often been rocky. A 1985 general strike at Watsonville Canning Company lasted 18 months and brought production at the frozen food plant to a standstill. In recent decades, the education and healthcare sectors have increased in prominence.

Watsonville's lengthy history of industry and construction make asbestos exposure an ongoing concern. Workers exposed to asbestos may be at risk for asbestos cancer, including mesothelioma. For your convenience, we have listed mesothelioma cancer centers located in or near Watsonville at the bottom of this page. Asbestos attorneys may also be able to assist you if you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos in Watsonville.

Jobsites in Watsonville where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Watsonville, CA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Watsonville, CA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Watsonville, CA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Watsonville, CA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Watsonville, CA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.