bjgreen
The Potter Hotel had a new owner this month (Image: Library of Congress)
By Betsy J. Green
WAY BACK WHEN, in February 1919, the big news hit the paper – “Sale of Potter Hotel Now Announced.” The new owner was a hotel syndicate headed by D.M. Linnard of San Francisco. According to the Library of Congress website, Linnard pioneered the concept of hotel plus bungalows, and that’s exactly what was discussed in the article about his purchase of the Potter. “Thirty-six Bungalows to be Built on Grounds … to Become Playground of the World; Santa Barbara Strictly in Forefront of Biggest Development Plans.”
Was it significant that Potter sold the hotel in 1919 and not in 1918? Yes, indeedy, because Potter’s lucky number was 19.
Betsy’s Way Back When book — 1918 — is now available in local bookstores and at Amazon.com. This is the fifth book in her series of the history of Santa Barbara, one year at a time. Learn more at
Or more simply put…at Burton’s Mound.
Potter Hotel – where was it located? Thanks very much!
The Potter Hotel was located in the West Beach neighborhood, roughly between Cabrillo and Natoma, and Bath and Chapala streets. Ambassador Park on Cabrillo marks the location of the hotel’s entrance when the hotel was known as the Ambassador Hotel.