Santa Barbara: Old Spanish California
Santa Barbara was founded in 1782 when the Spanish built a fortress here. The settlement was one of several established by the Spanish in California in the second half of the 18th century as they sought to extend their influence in what they called New Spain which included much of the western United
States.
Like many settlements, Santa Barbara would also include a mission as the Spanish also sought to convert the local indigenous tribes which in Santa Barbara were the native Chumash people.
Drawing of the original Santa Barbara fortress known as a Presidio
The Mission of Santa Barbara was actually established in 1786. Today the Mission operations include a museum, gift shop, cemetery and mausoleum, and several historic gardens, as well as being the home to a community of Franciscan Friars on about 15 acres. It was the tenth of the 21 California Missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans. It is also the only Mission that has been under the continuous guidance of the Franciscan Friars since its foundation in 1786, and it has the oldest liturgical choral singing tradition of any California mission.
During the two centuries of her history, the Mission has seen the flags of Spain, Mexico and the United States fly overhead. Two major earthquakes nearly destroyed her: the first in 1812, was the impetus for the construction of a new and stronger church.
It was in 1821 that Santa Barbara became part of Mexico after it gained independence from Spain.
The city which still exudes a distinctive Spanish and Moorish influence , particularly in its architecture, celebrates its heritage every year in a summer fiesta known as Old Spanish Days.
Santa Barbara street names reflect the influence of the Spanish period. The names de le Guerra and Carrillo come from the Guerra family of California and Carrillo family of California, respectively. They were instrumental in building up the town, so they were honored by having streets named after them.
The Spanish period in Southern California ended in 1822 with the conclusion of the Mexican War of Independence, which terminated 300 years of Spanish colonial rule and transferred control to the newly independent Mexican government.
After the forced secularization of the Missions in 1833, successive Mexican Governors distributed the large land tracts formerly held by the Franciscan Order to various families in order to reward service or build alliances. These land grants to local notable families mark the beginning of the “Rancho Period” in California and Santa Barbara history.
The population remained sparse, with enormous cattle operations run by wealthy families.
After the forced secularization of the Missions in 1833, successive Mexican Governors distributed the large land tracts formerly held by the Franciscan Order to various families in order to reward service or build alliances. These land grants to local notable families mark the beginning of the “Rancho Period” in California and Santa Barbara history. Fernando Tico was one of the first settlers who received land grants for the local area. Fernando led the Native Americans against the Argentinian pirates in the 1800s. The population remained sparse, with enormous cattle operations run by wealthy families. It was during this period that Richard Henry Dana Jr. first visited Santa Barbara and wrote about the culture and people of Santa Barbara in his book Two Years Before the Mast.
Mural Room (formerly Board of Supervisors’ Hearing Room) within the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Wall murals depict the history of Santa Barbara. The room is used occasionally as a courtroom.
Santa Barbara fell bloodlessly to a battalion of American soldiers in 1846, during the Mexican–American War, and after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 it became part of the expanding United States.
Destination: California
