After living in the San Rafael Valley for a time, the family moved to the Robert Rodgers ranch in Canelo, and when he got out of school, Alex ranched and farmed land in Turkey Creek Canyon before joining the US Forest Service in 1936 as a fireguard. In the 1930s, Alex worked on the restortion of the complex now known as the Canelo Hills Cienega; from 1936 to 1963 it was Dorothy Knipe's home.

 He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and worked armoring B-17 bombers at Horham Air Base in England as part of the 95th bomb group, 412th squadron. Returning from the war, he rejoined the Forest Service, Patagonia District, until his retirement in 1975.

 He spent his retirement years with a chainsaw in hand, making furniture out of felled trees and looking for an illusive gold mine in the Huachuca Mountains.

  Alex died with his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Maria at his side.

circa 1920s, photo courtesy of Alex Gonzales

written by Corbin Smith - source: Hidden Treasures
of Santa Cruz County, by Betty Barr

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SCS 10/12/24