Joe DeLise Shares Details on the “Shocking History of Electricity in Santa Barbara”

Have you ever wondered what Santa Barbara was like before electricity came to our city?  Well, during a talk at Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library on “The Shocking History of Electricity in Santa Barbara,” Joe DeLise shared all the fascinating details on how and when Santa Barbara went from flickering gas lamps to electrical streetlights overnight.

A large crowd of interested community members and City of Santa Barbara history buffs gathered at the Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library on Laguna Street recently to enjoy the historic presentation shared by Joe DeLise on one of the most important modern miracles to positively affect Santa Barbara area businesses and residences. His detailed and very interesting talk was supported by countless articles from early news publications containing quotes of leaders of the day, as well as his colorized historic photo display. The series also included a break with refreshments and conversation happened, followed by a Q&A where knowledge on the subject was enjoyed by all.

During the Q&A DeLise was asked how long his preparation took for the series talk and how he joined the series talks at the Mission. According to DeLise “In 2022 I was encouraged by the late writer, historian Erin Graffy and her brother Neal Graffy, to pursue my interest in preparing and presenting a talk on the story of Santa Barbara electricity, with my colorized historical photos, and although it took some time I am delighted to have the opportunity to share the information I’ve created at this special series in the Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library and greatly appreciate the encouragement I was given by two community members I respected so much.”  

The well researched presentation, which was done with the assistance of DeLise’s partner Sally Russell, a professional editor and journalist, complete with colorized historic photos highlighting the brilliance of forward-thinking civic leaders like Charles Fernand and Walter Hawley, who changed the history of Santa Barbara on one foggy night in 1887, and where the 1901 power plant next to the Banos Del Mar complex became a “Pleasure Pier” complete with heated swimming pools. Back history on the locations of these first electric power plants and how they produced electrical magic on specific locations from the very beginning was shared, as well as early service problems they encountered, the cost of service and inventive methods implemented to address customer service problems in the early days were also addressed. 

This was truly a fun and informative afternoon learning about the history of electricity in Santa Barbara, presented by Joe DeLise, a New Yorker for most of his life who instantly fell in love with Santa Barbara when he moved here in 2021. He spends much of his spare time learning the history of the area and “colorizing” old photos of the Mission, which you may have seen on the local website EDHAT. 

Father Jack Clark Robinson, OFM Executive Director of SBMAL, who moderated the afternoon lecture, displayed a stunning Joe De Lise colorized photo of the historic Old Santa Barbara Mission that was donated to the Mission for display in the SBMAL collection. Father Jack also shared the upcoming series schedule for events through August 2026, which will include a presentation by Joan Coda, who will share details on two decades of behind-the-scenes stories relating to the Old Santa Barbara Mission Gift Shop.

As a valuable member of EQ25.org Steering Committee Joe DeLise created and donated the official colorized postcards for Earthquake 25 commemorative 100th celebrations held throughout Santa Barbara during April and July 2025 leading up to the final event at the Old Mission commemorating those who were lost in the great quake on June 29, 1925. Last month the www.EQ25.org steering committee members were presented with a recognition certificate by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation at their annual awards presentation in the Santa Barbara Presidio.

Joe DeLise also enjoys photography, cooking, playing and teaching backgammon. In his former life, Joe was on the packaging & purchasing side of the cosmetics business, where he had the opportunity to travel internationally for companies such as L’Oréal and Unilever. For additional Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library series information please visit: www.sbmal.org.