Local History

In December 1919, a shootout with a fugitive took place at the Santa Barbara Police Office.

The fighting in Europe was over, but the work of caring for the wounded and helping the people recover from the long years of conflict continued.

Betsy shares 5 things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving compared to 100 years ago in Santa Barbara.

Did you know there were wineries on Santa Cruz Island over 100 years ago?

Nineteen-nineteen was the year of the airplane in Santa Barbara. But perhaps some expectations were just a bit too high.

Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Museum presented the Silver Star Medal of Honor to the Goleta family of a World War II hero killed in action.

100 years ago the Gaspar Oreña adobe at 27 East De la Guerra was renovated from a home to a studio and office building.

Driving up the coast on the northbound 101, just before the massive Mariposa Reina oil facility, this old Spanish style building sits.

Halloween was celebrated quietly in 1919 – the first Halloween after the war in Europe had ended.

100 years ago this month, the area's first Boy Scouts of America group was organized in Santa Barbara.

Jail is not supposed to be a joke, but when a petty prisoner dug his way out of our city’s pokey (with his fingernails!) back in October 1919, it was pretty comical for a while.

In 1919, the Queen of Belgium was the first woman allowed to enter the Santa Barbara Mission's garden.

The historic Stearns Wharf celebrates its 147th anniversary this month.

A royal couple visited Santa Barbara for four days and generated a whopping 20 articles in the local papers in October 1919.

Did you know 100 years ago a local couple got married while flying in a Lockheed plane above Santa Barbara?

In Carpinteria 100 years ago, school kids were busy picking beans and walnuts during harvest season.

The iconic Goleta Train Depot reminds us of a simpler time when Goleta was just a small farm town.

Santa Barbara’s Nature Study Club ventured out to Santa Cruz Island for their monthly excursion in September 1919.

Betsy shares a news clipping of a local actor from 100 years ago showing off his animals.

100 years ago, a trained monkey in a Santa Barbara department store escaped into the streets.

An edhat reader shares photos of La Arcada Plaza from 1926 and now.

Betsy shares a 100-year-old cartoon from the local newspaper.

The national organization Camp Fire Girls opened its first local chapter 100 years ago in Carpinteria.

Several prominent Hollywood personalities were seen in and around our fair city this time 100 years ago.

The first annual dog show was held this month 100 years ago at the Belvedere (formerly Potter) Hotel, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Kennel Club.

Tom explores the history of Kate Bell's nearly 100-year-old cactus patch underneath the Sandpiper Golf Course a new video.

Dancing on the beach was a popular pastime 100 years ago in Santa Barbara.

Did you know there was a Hawaiian themed dairy in Santa Barbara 100 years ago?

100 years ago this month, the City of Santa Barbara revealed the winning sketch for the new (current) courthouse.

A century ago, we had the first July 4th since World War I had ended and the City of Santa Barbara celebrated with four days of parades and festivals.