Local History

Although ground squirrels were never popular, tree squirrels  were considered  cute 100 years ago.

There was a big show at the Potter Theatre on State Street in April 1918 that was a benefit for the Red Cross and featured a well-known clown.

Learn the history of Sycamore Creek with this informational video.

Negative feelings about Germany were strong in 1918 during World War I.

An edhat reader wants to know what type of wood was commonly used in historical Spanish revival homes in Santa Barbara.

After months of watching the Lockheed plane’s construction, the people of Santa Barbara were finally able to watch its first flight.

Do edhat readers know what used to be at 1701 Anacapa before the condos were built?

The pier at Haskells beach has been in the background for all our lives. Who knew its creation was so dramatic?

At the foot of Ortega Hill in March 1918, Mr. F.W. Myers stepped outside to look at a rainstorm and was pelted with a live fish.

An editorial in the local paper in March 1918 was inspired by the sight of something called a “governess cart” on a side street in Santa Barbara.

In 2018, the stores in Santa Barbara are feeling the pain of competing with online shopping, but back in March 1918, storekeepers here faced a different challenge: catalog shopping.

An edhat reader is wondering if someone can help identify the location in this historical photo.

What 16-year-old wouldn’t want a cool set of wheels -- in her favorite color (peacock blue) -- for her birthday?

Do edhat readers know the history and have a photo of Minnie's Cafe from the 1940's on Hollister Ave?

Was there a tunnel dug out at the end of Tunnel Road in 1903?

In the last update, we learned about Doctor Winchester, but when I dug a little deeper into the accusations that Pearl Chase reportedly made about his drug addiction, I stumbled upon an intriguing story that may or may not be "fake news."

The local papers were full of news about noisy motorcycles, fireworks in Chinatown, kids knitting in schools, a much-needed rainstorm, and the 41st messiah came to Santa Barbara.

The Winchester Canyon is a beautiful reminder of a man that spent most of his life serving the people of the Santa Barbara area.

Happy New Year to all my Edhat readers! Every month I peruse the local newspapers of 100 years ago to bring you the most interesting stories about everyday life in our area.

Ever wonder how the airport in the heart of Goleta is owned by the city of Santa Barbara? Here is how it happened.

An edhat reader shares a historic photo of the Miramar Beach Hotel.

Several local songwriters were in the news this month. Some serious racing horses arrived here, there was major mourning as doughnuts were taken off the local menus, and an enemy spy was uncovered right here in our fair city!

An edhatter shared photos of Santa Barbara from 1976, can you name some of these businesses?

Our local boys who volunteered to fight in "The Grizzlies" came back for a visit, we learned why we were blacklisted by Ringling Brothers Circus, the first "Bicycle Day" was held here, and Ojai went up in flames -- again. Here’s the history of Santa Barbara -- one month at a time!

Do edhatters know what used to be where Lazy Acres is now?

How bad can a dead whale smell? Fortunately, the decaying mammal turned up at about the same time that some 20,000 flowers were blooming at the Recreation Center on Carrillo. War talk was “in,” and a local pacifist was booted out.

Flicka shares a throwback photo of ostrich races from the early 1960s.

A "scissors artist" came to town this month, a man-eating shark shook things up at Stearns Wharf, a SB native played in the World Series, and someone wanted to put a resort hotel on Hope Ranch.

An edhat subscriber found a historic photo of Santa Barbara from 1906.