EQ25 Steering Committee Honored by Santa Barbara Trust For Historic Preservation at 63rd Community Awards Event

At 6:44 a.m. on June 29, 1925, a powerful earthquake devastated Santa Barbara, killing 11 people and destroying or damaging much of downtown. It was a pivotal moment in Santa Barbara’s history because, out of the debris emerged the Spanish revival city of today.

Dennis Doordan, Past SBTHP President & EQ25 Steering Committee Co-Chair chats with guest SB City Council Member Eric Friedman

During 2024 a very diverse group of talented people joined forces to plan and create a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake and its aftermath with a variety of events and symbolic activities coordinated by newly formed EQ25 Alliance. The alliance was made up of charitable and historical organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, journalists, public relations and marketing specialists, generous sponsors and Santa Barbara residents, under the umbrella of The Santa Barbara Conservancy, a local nonprofit.

“The 100th anniversary of the June 29, 1925, Santa Barbara earthquake offered a unique opportunity for Santa Barbara to learn from its past, reflect on its present, and plan for the future,” said Steve Hausz, a member of the EQ25 steering committee. “It is a recognition of our community and its resilience.”

Original EQ25 Steering Committee Members meeting at Rick Closson’s home in 2024.

Activities began in April with a kickoff event of exhibits and lectures, including talks and radio interviews by historians Betsy Green, Neal Graffy and Mary Lou Days, Citizens Planning Association. On April 25, the steering committee presented a fabulous Speakeasy Soiree at historic El Paseo Restaurant attracting a huge crowd of supporters and sponsors all in raging 20’s garb including Dana Newquist, Director of Antique Automobile Club of America SB, who brought beautiful 1920’s antique autos for display at the event entrance, and Mayor Randy Rowse who was a great co-emcee with Newquist. The menu and cocktails were all favorites enjoyed in the roaring 1920’s, and a live band had everyone in the room dancing the Charleston.

Rick Closson and Bonnie Carroll manning the Solstice Celebration Earth Day EQ25 booth at Alameda Park

Steering Committee member Jonathan Smith of The Environment Makers and staff created and participated in the 51^st Annual Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Parade on June 21 promoting the June 25^th Quake Fest on State Street.

The fabulous art buildings created by Smith and team fell apart on cue and were surrounded by EQ25 members in costumes promoting the upcoming QuakeFest on State Street.

The parade ended at Alameda Park where an EQ25 booth, sharing a variety of information, was manned by members of the Steering Committee including Rick Closson, Santa Barbara Conservancy, Bonnie Carroll, journalist & Publisher, Betsy Green, Architectural Foundation SB, Keith Butler, Historic Landmarks Commission, Joe DeLise, Photo Historian, Pat Saley, SB Conservancy, Roman Baratiak, Past Director UCSB Arts & Lectures, John Margolis, AIA SB, Dennis Doorden, Program Chair Historic Landmarks Commission, Keith Hausz, Santa Barbara Conservancy and friends.

Amazing Solstice Parade Earth Quate Buildings by Jonathan Smith, The Environment Makers

The fabulous art replicas of earthquake buildings on display for Solstice were a great prelude to QuakeFest, the amazing State Street Fair at the steps of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art where live 20’s jazz musicians created the mood on Saturday June 28, for QuakeFest, and countless organizations provided booths, displays and workshops on State Street between Figueroa and Anapamu streets. The highlight of the community Street Fair was a fun earthquake simulator that whole families enjoyed experiencing together.

On Sunday June 29 (the earthquake anniversary date) members and friends met at the Santa Barbara Mission at noon, where church bells rang across town 11 times in remembrance of fellow citizens who perished in the quake, followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque honoring those who were lost. Attendees enjoyed some special sharing by area Interfaith Prayer Participants.

Santa Barbara Mission Commemorative Plaque unveiling with area Interfaith Prayer Participants

The information, inspiration and love for the history of Santa Barbara during this beautifully curated series of events was totally enjoyed by residents and visitors to Santa Barbara, but especially meaningful to members of the EQ25 Alliance Members and EQ25 Steering Committee Members. For more information on this commemorative EQ25 event please visit www.EQ25.org.

Kudos to all The SBTHP 2026 Community Award Recipients including William B. Dewey, Pearl Chase Historic Preservation and Conservation Award, Carrillo Recreation Center Gym Restoration, City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department, Jill Zachary, Director, George & Vivian Obern Preservation Stewardship Award, John Doordan, Presidents Award, Sally Foxen McNeill, Sue Higman Volunteer of the Year Award, The Space MariaElena Lopez, Partnership Award, Debby Aceves, Life Honorary Director, Ron Nye, Life Honorary Member, and EQ25 Certificate of Appreciation.