The 1870s was the decade when tourism first became an important factor in the South Coast’s economy. An important element … READ MORE

The transition of Montecito from an agricultural region to a wealthy residential community may be traced to the early 1890s. … READ MORE

The Mesa is the Santa Barbara neighborhood which stretches from the harbor along the coast to Arroyo Burro Beach, flanked … READ MORE

It is sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction concerning the life of Leonardo Barbieri. He arrived in California in … READ MORE

If anyone could ever claim to be an adopted son of Santa Barbara, it would be Leo Carrillo, star of … READ MORE

In 1850, the year of California statehood, an enterprising, adventurous English couple opened what may be considered the city’s first … READ MORE

In the 1860s and 1870s, W. W. Hollister in cooperation with a number of partners built one of the largest … READ MORE

For some forty years, Santa Barbara was very much a part of the Chautauqua movement which took the nation by … READ MORE

The first influx of Japanese immigration to Santa Barbara County took place in the years around 1900. Within a couple … READ MORE

The Alhecama Theatre at 914 Santa Barbara Street was christened by Alice Schott, shortly after she and her husband purchased … READ MORE