The Chumash Indians thrived in this area of California
until just over 200 years ago. The Europeans arrived in 1542 when the Portuguese explorer
Juan Cabrillo entered the Channel and claimed the land for Spain. Then in 1602 a ship
under the command of the Spaniard Vizcaino entered the Channel to seek refuge from a
storm. The day that he and his crew escaped the violent storm was the commemorative feast
day for Saint Barbara. Vizcaino and his sailors showed their gratitude at being alive by
naming the
bay and the nearby shore Santa Barbara.
Up until 1782 the Spaniards had not settled the area around present day
Santa Barbara. However, this year saw the settlement of a group of
missionaries led by Father Junipero Serra, Captain Ortega, and Governor
Felipe de Neve. These men established a military presidio and a mission
and they were the ones who founded the City of Santa Barbara.
The Spaniards were in control of the area until 1822, when this land
became the territory of Mexico. Then in 1846 John C. Fremont
claimed Santa Barbara for the United States. Until the late 1800's Santa Barbara
remained relatively small and secluded, but then word of the great
climate, and hot springs spread. Soon people were coming for health
resorts and some decided to permanently move to Santa Barbara. The year
1910 saw the height of the movie industry in Santa Barbara. The American
Film Company opened a studio which was the largest of its kind in the
world. During their ten years in Santa Barbara they made over 1200
movies, mostly westerns. This helped to attract celebrities to the area.
Charlie Chaplin operated the Montecito Inn, Ronald Coleman bought the
San Ysidro resort, and Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Audrey Hepburn, and
Groucho Marx all used to spend time at both places. Vivian Leigh and
Laurence Olivier were married at the San Ysidro Ranch in 1953. John and
Jacqueline Kennedy spent part of their honeymoon at the Ranch. (For more
information see the section titled San Ysidro/Montecito)
After an earthquake in 1925 leveled most of the city, the Architectural
Board of Review limited public buildings to no more then four stories,
and homes to no more then three stories. These rules are still in effect
today, but they do not apply to spires and towers.
About
Dave's Pick