This 1920 photograph shows a large crowd gathered in Capitola Village. It is likely the crowd was assembling to view one of the swimming or rowboat races on the lagoon sponsored by Capitola’s new owner, Henry Allen Rispin. The competitions were Rispin’s way to promote the resort that he was seeking to modernize. It was Rispin who first paved the village streets to better accommodate automobile traffic. Transforming the straight Ocean Front Avenue into the gently curving Esplanade was another new feature decreed by Rispin. In the background is the brand-new bathhouse adjacent to the old wagon bridge spanning Soquel Creek. Note the new seawall, benches and plantings along the Esplanade walkway in the foreground.