The Way it Was

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“Old Relics Vanishing. One by one the old adobe houses, the ancient landmarks of Santa Barbara, are gradually vanishing and modern buildings are taking their places. There are certain memories that cling to these old places, some of which date back one hundred years, which to some must seem like the severance of old friends as they are gradually demolished… Very soon none will be left to remind one of what Santa Barbara once was.” (Morning Press, 12 April 1876)

During the next 144 years, the disappearance of the old adobes did not abate, but a few found saviors. One of those favored with survival was the Hill-Carrillo Adobe, which has recently experienced another renaissance thanks to the Hutton Parker Foundation, whose most excellent renovation has preserved a touchstone for stories of Santa Barbara’s past. Following are a few of the tales contained within the walls of that venerable relic of our town’s yesteryears.

A Sailor and a Spanish Beauty

When the American brig Rover sailed out of Refugio Bay one fateful day in 1823, it left behind its first mate, Daniel Hill, who, legend has it, fell head over heels for the beautiful 14-year-old Rafaela

Ms Beresford is a local historian who has written two Noticias for the Santa Barbara Historical Museum as well as authored two books. One, The Way It Was: Santa Barbara Comes of Age, is a collection of articles written for the Montecito Journal. The other, Celebrating CAMA’s Centennial, is the fascinating story of Santa Barbara’s Community Arts Music Association.

Sabina Luisa Ortega. Rafaela was the great-granddaughter of José Francisco de Ortega, pathfinder and explorer of the Portola-Serra Sacred Expedition of 1769, first commander of the Santa Barbara Presidio in 1782, and grantee of one of the few Spanish land grants, Nuestra Señora del Refugio. Daniel Hill had been at sea since he was 17 years old and had sailed around the world a number of times, but now his sailing days were over.

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wrote, “I can never forget the light on her wan, pale face as, lying on a sick bed, she recalled with my mother the dear old times, los tiempos viejos, that linked her with the comadre through that passionate undying mother-love for her lost Isabel.”

Daniel Hill, seen here in his later years, jumped ship to marry the beautiful Rafaela Ortega for whom he built an adobe home with a wooden floor (Courtesy Montecito Association History Committee)

Rosa Rafaela Antonia Hill married Nicholas Den in 1843 (Courtesy Montecito Association History Committee)

As he settled in to await Rafaela’s coming of age, he put his Yankee ingenuity and ships’ skills to work wherever they were needed. Except for the Chumash trained by the padres, mechanics were rare in Santa Barbara, and Hill soon had his hands full with jobs ranging from running a mercantile store, to making soap, to working as the superintendant of mission blacksmithing, farming and construction work. Alfred Robinson, hide and tallow agent for Bryant & Sturgis Company, became a lifelong friend and characterized him as “general factotum of the town, carpenter or mason as required.”

Hill also prepared himself for marriage to the comely señorita by becoming a Mexican citizen and converting to Catholicism. The two were married on September 26, 1826 and moved into the adobe he had built for them, only one of many adobes he had constructed in the area. This adobe boasted the first wooden floor in town. Five or six of their 15 children were born in

• The Voice of the Village • MONTECITO JOURNAL 27 WAY IT WAS Page 324 the adobe, and the rest at “La Goleta Rancho” which he was granted in 1846 by Mexican governor Pio Pico, just before the American occupation of California.

In town, Hill became a prominent member of the community and he and Rafaela often entertained the officers of trading ships and other visitors. One of them, Irish-born Nicholas A. Den had worked his way to California as ship’s clerk aboard the Kent when the brig dropped anchor off Santa Barbara and opened its shipboard store in 1836. He met Daniel Hill, a friendship was struck, and another ship sailed on without its supercargo. The hide and tallow trade still being profitable, Den switched sides and took up cattle ranching. In time he became a Mexican citizen, converted to Catholicism, was granted Rancho Los Dos Pueblos in 1842, and married Daniel Hill’s 16-year-old daughter Rosa in June 1843. They moved into an adobe home he had built for them northwest of the Hill Adobe. (Corner of Figueroa and State.) First Child of American Parents

On April 13, 1932, the brig Newcastle out of Boston arrived at Monterey carrying Thomas Oliver Larkin of Boston, whose unsuccessful business ventures in the East had caused him to seek out new opportunities. Also on the voyage was Mrs. Rachel Hobson Holmes who was traveling to Monterey to join her Danish sea captain husband. Upon their arrival, Rachel discovered her husband was away on a voyage so she boarded with Larkin’s half brother, John B. R. Cooper, as did Larkin. At some point a romance had developed between Oliver and Rachel, and she became pregnant. Learning that her husband had died on his voyage, she nevertheless moved to Santa Barbara where Daniel Hill and Rafaela took her in. Daniel and Rafaela were sponsors for the baptism of her child, Isabel Ana Larkin, in January 1833 at the Santa Barbara Mission. The Baptismal Record reads: “Born January 31, spurious child of and daughter of Miquel Larkin and Raquel, married to Guillermo Holmes, natives of the United States. Protestants. Illegitimate. Foreign.”

There being no way to perform a Protestant ceremony on land, Rachel and Oliver were married on June 10, 1833 aboard the Volunteer. Again Daniel Hill and Rafaela stood as witnesses. (Later the marriage was declared illegal and they had to remarry.) This first child born of two American parents in California lived less than a year. She is buried at the Santa Barbara Mission.

The Larkins moved to Monterey but never forgot the kindness and generosity of the Hill family. Katherine Den Bell, granddaughter of Daniel Hill, recalled that Rachel Larkin kept an unwavering faith with those early California friends that was “as sweet as it was rare.” In her memoir, she Alfred Robinson Sets Up Shop

When Alfred Robinson, supercargo for Bryant, Sturgis & Company, an American company engaged in the hide and tallow trade, set up a base in Santa Barbara, he was glad that his house adjoined that of his friend, Daniel Hill. In his memoir, Life in California, he wrote that he found their proximity to be “of great convenience for we took our meals together; and he was often of much assistance to me in matters of business.”

Robinson set about making some improvements to the adobe for better security. He wrote, “I made some additions to the house, which need also some repairs and painting, so Rafaela Luisa Sabrina Ortega, wife of Daniel Hill, in her later years (Courtesy of Montecito Association History Committee) In a portrait from 1865, Mrs. Oliver Larkin, right, gave birth to the first American child born in California at the Hill-Carrillo Adobe (Courtesy of Montecito Association History Committee) Rear of the Hill-Carrillo Adobe (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum) Joaquin Carrillo once owned a portion of the adobe and Daniel Hill the other portion (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)

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MONTECITO JOURNAL30 “I like fruit baskets because it gives you the ability to mail someone a piece of fruit without appearing insane.” – Demetri Martin McGowan Guntermann would like to congratulate Jennifer Smith on her recent accomplishment of becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Jennifer has been working in the accounting industry since she graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2011. She has worked extensively with individuals and businesses on various tax and accounting matters. She specializes in serving the tax compliance and consulting needs of high-net-worth individuals and small businesses. When Jennifer is not in the office, she enjoys traveling, volunteering at local events, taking yoga classes, reading, and watching sports. McGowan Guntermann has been providing tax, accounting, audit and business consulting services on the Central Coast for over 70 years. McGowan Guntermann proudly announces that Stephen Smith, CPA, CGMA, has been promoted to Partner. Steve has been serving McGowan Guntermann clients as a Manager since 2008. In his new role as Partner in the Audit and Accounting Department, Steve will manage engagements, coordinate staff development and continue his focus on the most important aspect of our business, client service. Steve places high importance on quality relationships with each client and he is excited to have the opportunity to continue his contribution to McGowan Guntermann’s branding as a firm of choice. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS 111 E. Victoria Street, 2nd Floor Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805.962.9175 ssmith@mcgowan.com 805.879.9895 ----- www.mcgowan.com 111 E. Victoria Street, 2nd Floor Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2018 805.962.9175 ----- www.mcgowan.com remodeled Coast Village Inn (originally known as the DeAnza Inn) where she greeted neighbors and celebrities who thought of the Inn as their personal guest quarters. She retired from the Inn at age 70 to spend time in her Montecito cottage working her beautiful English garden and sunning with her kitty, Holly, and enjoying her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren… many of whom are located throughout the Santa Barbara community; walking Miramar Beach; and shopping and dining in the Upper and Lower Villages.

We want to thank everyone who contributed to the Light Up a Life evening and for all of Audrey’s friends and clients who showed her so much love over her special life in Montecito. Our wishes for a very sweet Valentine’s month, 2020!

Maryanne Brillhart and Family Terri Maher and Family Support for Das

I write this letter in strong support of Das Williams’ re-election as County Supervisor for the 1st District. Throughout his career, Das has stood for working people of all races and levels. He is a staunch social justice defender. Das fought for a living wage when he was on the Santa Barbara City Council. When he was in the Assembly, he fought for a wage increase and farmworker overtime, despite eliciting the ire of some farmers in Carpinteria. Das has always stood up for the needs of working people and has strived to ensure that our local economy is strong for all.

What with all the current opposition to the fledgling cannabis industry, it may be helpful to review its history. Medical marijuana was legalized in California in 1996. In 2017, California voters approved Proposition 64, legalizing marijuana for adults 21 and over. At that time, Santa Barbara County voted Yes by 108,228 to No by 67,715. On this basis, under Das, SB County is regulating a fledgling cannabis industry to include steady jobs, decent wages that create a decent standard of living, and that creates money for schools and county programs that advantage us all.

From Carpinteria to Montecito to Santa Maria, Das is a Supervisor for ALL of our county’s residents. As an elected leader, Das Williams’ work history epitomizes what we vote elected officials to do and be. I support his candidacy with complete confidence and hope we can all support his re-election as County Supervisor for the 1st District.

Elizabeth Colón SB Needs Change… Now!

When I first arrived in SB County, I loved everything about it! Unfortunately, the arrival of industrial-level Cannabis Cultivation has opened my eyes to the wrongly different politics that surround our “slice of heaven.” SB was ripe for the twisting and to Cannabis’s credit, they twisted. Allow me to explain: In LA we had safeguards. On the law enforcement side the DA’s office had an AntiCorruption Unit and the US Attorney’s office had a Public Corruption Section. Locally, our smaller office doesn’t have such investigative specificity. Instead, we have a home-grown and, I’m told, hardworking elected career prosecutor. Someone who, unfortunately, seems more comfortable writing Op-eds about the unfairness of the Senate impeachment trial rather than to ruffle any local feathers. Civil compromises abound and as it relates to anything Public Sector related, well… Home town folks, home town curiosity.

Please know, I don’t blame any one person or agency – I blame SB’s systemically flawed system. As investigations and indictments proliferate around the state – focusing on every strata of management that Cannabis touches – one might minimally consider the appointment of a Special Prosecutor or a call to the AG’s Special Investigation Team or the Feds, i.e. punt.

Remember, Cannabis is a multi-million dollar all cash business: Does anyone truly believe that SB, with its 4,200 hard-working employees, possesses an impenetrable integrity bubble? Any prosecutor would understand that the scope of a meaningful investigation would require two things: desire and help (I don’t mean constitutionally mandated/citizen-directed civil inquires). If everything proves above board, all the better! No harm, no foul and public trust is restored.

As it relates to campaign reform, SB does not limit individual contributions like SF, VC, or LA. Nor do we have contribution-moratoriums relating to Board decisions. In other words, folks can pay political “tribute” just days before/after the Board decides their individual case. To avoid the appearance of impropriety one would expect the Supervisors to recuse themselves but that just doesn’t happen. Yet, one more reason why we desperately need an Ethics Commission. Ask yourself why is SB so wrongly different than elsewhere in the state? When it comes to Cannabis, fire/flood control and homelessness we are being run like a backwater village – it’s time that we demand more!

And, for those of you who hope our new and respected Deputy CEO Barney Melekian can bring some LETTERS (Continued from page 25)

slight sanity to Cannabis County never forget that, intentions aside, his line of reporting ultimately ends with the Supervisors themselves. We live in a Political Monarchy where five Supervisors function like Czars controlling our $1.1B County budget and apparatus. It’s not about Cannabis! It’s about transparency of process and the restoration of public trust and competence. When you’re next asked to pay privately for something that the County should be doing, it is a testament to the incompetence that our public servants will call “excellence.” But hey, this is America and if we don’t make changes in March and November we will only get more of the same. Vote your conscience and know tomorrow can be better than today. Status quo or change? You decide…

Jeff Giordano SB County Resident

Das Williams for 1st District Supervisor

I don’t live in the First District, but every Supervisor has an impact on all county residents. I am a former county employee and I consider myself fairly conservative. I first met Das 18 years ago during the Gail Marshall recall campaign. I ran for the position to fill her seat had she been recalled and during one debate in Montecito, Das filled in for her. I thoroughly enjoyed our debate and, of course, we both claimed victory. It was evident then, as it is now, that Das Williams is an accomplished lawmaker.

I continue to follow local news and often watch the Board of Supervisor meetings. Das is always prepared and thorough in his deliberations. I don’t necessarily agree with the initial marijuana decisions, but I have followed the issue over the past year. I think he and Steve Lavagnino had and have the best interest of the county in mind. Problems arose and rather than turn away from them, they have worked hard to make the best of it. However, marijuana is only one of many issues facing the Supervisors.

I was very impressed with Das’ response to the debris flow. He was immediately on the scene and, according to my former colleagues, was instrumental in helping with evacuations and all that follows in a major disaster. I recently saw a letter praising Supervisor Williams from one of the “Bucket Brigade” founders. You can tell a lot about a person on how they respond in an emergency. Many of my former colleagues had nothing but praise for Das because of his hard work during that disaster.

I believe Supervisor Williams is an effective supervisor who cares deeply about this county and especially the residents of his district. I don’t know Laura Capps personally, but I

was very clear to me that Supervisor Williams is imminently qualified for the position he holds. While I no longer speak for local public safety, I am acutely aware of the issues facing the county and I trust Das Williams will continue being an effective representative for all the people of Santa Barbara County. Jim Thomas Former Santa Barbara County Sheriff and Fire Chief

Socialism or Freedom Salud Carbajal claims to be looking out for average Americans. However, is he? All one has to do is check his voting record in Washington, DC. He votes with the socialist left. Especially when it pertains to border security, immigration, impeachment, Israel and sanctuary cities. (Kate’s Law) Does he put the safety and security of Americans first?

For these reasons, my husband and I support Andy Caldwell for Congress. Andy is against socialism, is not a partisan and will protect our national security and borders.

Your choice America. Socialism or freedom.

Diana and Don Thorn Carpinteria

Why Not?

Why didn’t CEO Gwyn Lurie ask Congress Rep Salud Carbajal constituent important ‘Why’ questions in her interview?

1) WHY has Salud voted 100% with Hispanic Caucus rather than represent constituent interests? Mission: The 38-Member Congressional Hispanic Caucus advocates for issues important to Hispanics through the Congressional legislative process. https://chc.house.gov/ 2) WHY does Salud endorse socialist pursuits such as Medicare for All (Democratic Socialists of America, SB Chapter, along with Das/ Darcel promoted Socialist Assembly Candidate Jonathan Abboud)? 3) WHY will Salud not debate Andy Caldwell? 4) WHY does Salud support CA sanctuary status favoring unlawful residents over citizen rights, safety, and needs? Salud’s position costs CA taxpayers forcing many to leave CA. 5) WHY is Salud assigned wealthy constituent and union boss fund raising as a primary Congressional responsibility? 6) WHY doesn’t Salud work to cut federal spending to reduce the trillion dollar debt?

Will Salud support H.R.5383: The New Way Forward Act?

https://www.congress.gov/ bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5383/ text

I bet he will after the election. This tell legislation identifies the country’s elected anarchists and nihilists.

As a moderate Democrat 1974 to the mid 1980s, after working 10 years in CA State & DC public policy, I became a staunch constitutionalist, No Party Preference voter. The federal government is responsible for national sovereignty and commerce. FDR followed by LBJ’s anti-poverty Great Society created Medicare, Medicaid, and hundreds of social engineering programs fueling the erosion of our Constitution.

Ask tough questions. This election is uniting American Patriots regardless of party registration. There’s much work to be done by informed government watchdog Andy Caldwell with coalition focused problem solvers. Denice S. Adams Montecito

Underground Utilities

Why not make undergrounding utilities a requirement for a building permit?

Larry Lambert Montecito

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No More Excuses Das Williams has gone too far with his shameful self-promotion at the expense of victims who lost lives and property. His latest mailer claims “During the tragic debris flow of 2018, Das Williams sprang into action… to help save neighbors from the mud…” His television and print campaign hype declares “He saved lives.” Nothing could be further from the truth.

In the days leading up to the debris flow of 2018, the Office of Emergency Management, County Fire, Montecito Fire, SB Sheriff’s Department, Public Works and others worked to implement a disaster preparedness plan. The National Guard was brought in. Search and Rescue teams and first responders from outside the area were pre-positioned. Coordinated efforts were put into place and service providers were on high alert and at the ready. Das was sending out texts about where to pick up sandbags. This hardly qualifies as “life-saving.”

On the morning of the debris flow, Das was not in Montecito. In fact, he wasn’t there for days afterward. He claimed at a recent debate that he couldn’t get through. So what is it, Das? Are you the hero, or are you the guy making excuses? I’ve not heard

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Pre-1884 photo shows the Carrillo Adobe in the foreground, the famous Aguirre Adobe to the right, on the corner of Carrillo and Anacapa streets. Behind the Aguirre Adobe across the field stood the Burke Adobe. The Den Adobe stood off the photo to the left. Notice the County Courthouse in the middle of the photo and the Santa Barbara Mission on the low ridge to the left. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)

Katherine Den Bell, granddaughter of Daniel Hill and Rafaela Ortega Hill (Courtesy Montecito Association History Committee)

Daniel’s aid was required. A large cookhouse was built in the rear, surrounded by a high wall of brick, and the windows at the end of the house were barricaded.”

Robinson described his section of the house consisting of one large room, which he filled to the roof with bales and boxes, and four small ones, one of which “was fitted up with shelves and a counter, serving as a show room.” “Another,” he wrote, “I had transformed into a bed chamber. I slept in a cot suspended from the cross beams of the roof; and, besides the necessary furniture of chairs, tables, looking-glass, I had displayed against the wall, two old muskets newly brightened up, two pair of pistols, and a very terrific sword. The sight of these appalling instruments was ample security against the rogues, who were generally lounging about the door leading from the corridor to the street.”

Reminiscences

Katherine Den Bell, the daughter of Rosa and Nicholas Den, was born in 1844 at the height of the Mexican period and her book of memoirs, Swinging the Censor, is a nostalgic and informative look back at that time and those that follow.

She recalls that her grandparents moved out to their La Goleta ranch, and that the Scottish born Captain John D. Wilson, master of several British brigs involved in trade in California, set up a store, warehouse and residence in the Hill Adobe and nearby Burke adobe in the late 1830s, early 1840s. He had married Ramona Carrillo de Pacheco, a widow with two sons and member of the powerful

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE” . . . IS NOT THE QUESTION

20 – 27 February 2020 MONTECITO JOURNAL32 “Someone once threw me a small, brown, hairy kiwi fruit, and I threw a wastebasket over it until it was dead.” – Erma Bombeck J ARROTT & CO. REAL E S T A T E INV E S T MENT S SPECIALIZING IN 1031 TAX-DEFERRED EXCHANGES AND TRIPLE NET L EASED INVESTMENT PROPERTIES WITH NATIONAL TENANTS CALL Len Jarrott, MBA, CCIM 805-569-5999 http://www.jarrott.com MANAGEMENT FREE The 1850s Wackenreuder map shows the layout of the four adobes that Katherine Den Bell mentions in her reminiscences (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum) T his article was to alert you “why big trees fall over because of wind, rain and fungus, and how you can prevent it.” But then I fi gured, if you have a large stump or roots in your front yard now, you don’t need me to tell you what you should have done.

So I’m going to write about problems coming up. Yes, avocados should be cut back hard to encourage interior growth, but any dead wood left on the tree is detrimental, and of course painting the end of the cut with black tree paint is very harmful.

Eugenia hedges should be sprayed and deep irrigated to fi ght off the syllid. (A spray license is required by the agriculture commissioner). Sycamores are in very serious trouble unless they get a leaf system soon. How do you encourage that to happen? Call and we’ll talk.

And last, because of the very cold winter, fruit trees are going to be prolifi c. You may think that’s good, but do you really want 10,000 plums, apricots, and peaches, etc., etc., on your trees? What should you do, and when should you do it? That is the question. Website is tlctrees.net THE MASTER OF TREE SOLVING PROBLEMS C E R T I F I E D A R B O R I S T TLC TREES Gene Tyburn Certifi ed Arborist for 40 years 969-4057 genetyburn@yahoo.com Carrillo family, circa 1837.

Katherine’s strongest memories are of the time that Captain Wilson and the enchanting Doña Ramona lived in her grandparents’ house. Besides Doña Ramona’s handsome Pacheco sons, she and Wilson had three girls, nicknamed Las Escocétas (the Scots) by the Barbarenos and a son, John Junior, whom Katherine called Wilsito. When she was very small, he was her only companion and playmate.

Captain Wilson had brought a huge tortoise from Oahu and every day Wilsito rode it to her house. The tortoise knew the way to the Den house and often started out by itself, so she would run to meet it while Wilsito

High Lung Laundry offered first-class service in the old Carrillo, whose adobe walls have been replaced by white picket fences which have also became dilapidated (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)

was to be reared and educated under the direction of Captain Wilson’s sister. The turtle-days were over and she never saw him again. In her memoir, Katherine wrote, “I was for years haunted by the remembrance of my loneliness after he went away.”

The Wilsons eventually moved to San Luis Obispo where they had many land interests and the Hill Adobe was put to other uses.

The Cabrillo Adobe served as a Chinese school. Looking closely at the course of the adobe bricks, it is clear that the original shape of the adobe was much narrower with supporting walls on either side of the white-washed area on the right. Most early adobe structures were narrow as the walls carried the majority of the load of the tiled roofs and lumber for beams was scarce. The section of the adobe to the left was created by enclosing the back porch. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)

ran to catch up. They’d both stand on top and it would turn back home, sometimes stopping at the steps of the Aguirre house next door. Once, when John Junior was ill, it came alone and stayed near her porch, waiting for her to come out.

The Wilson house, she recalled, had a big hand organ and someone was always ready to turn out its music for

Adaptive Reuse

After Esther Hammond purchased, restored, planted succulents and added wings to the adobe, it became a restaurant serving lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)

the children. Las Escocétas were great dancers and she and Wilsito would hop in and out in clumsy imitation.

“The Wilson home was delightful with its beautiful, gracious mistress,” wrote Katherine. “To foreigners and visitors, Doña Ramona Wilson’s home at that time was the most attractive rendezvous in Santa Barbara.”

Visiting in December 1841, Admiral Sir George Simpson, governor-in-chief of the Hudson Bay Company’s Territories in North American, said Ramona Wilson was “one of the prettiest and most agreeable women we had ever met, either here or elsewhere.”

One day, Wilsito was ceremoniously dressed in highland dress and placed on a ship bound for England where he

Over the next several years, the Hill Adobe saw a succession of owners and business establishments. It was used for the first Santa Barbara city council meeting under American rule, and in 1851, an Italian portrait painter named Barbieri used it as a studio. In 1852 a daguerreotypist opened a gallery on the front corridor. Katherine Den Bell used to visit this photography studio and recalls that “the elite, young and old, crowded the place eager to get a sitting and ‘be taken.’” A map from 1853 shows Joaquin Carrillo and Juan Wilson as co-owners of the adobe. As the years sped down toward the 20 th

century, the old adobe saw use as a dentist’s office, a Chinese school, an Opal Shop, a Horticultural Club office, the Natural History Society office, and the Carrillo Leather Shop. In 1912 it was High Lung Laundry. After the bank building abutted its south side, replacing an adobe which had once stood there, the Carrillo became a restaurant offering lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.

The Adobe was rescued from disintegration twice. In 1917-18, as part of the growing “Save an Adobe” effort. Mrs. Ester Fiske Hammond purchased the Hill/Carrillo Adobe. She restored the building, added rooms at the rear, improved the patio, and planted the bank with succulents. The artist Robert Wilson Hyde owned an antique store and studio in part of the building in the 1920s and the other part saw the Adobe Book and Tea Room.

A scant ten years later, however, plans were afoot to demolish the adobe to make room for a movie theater. Major Max C. Fleishmann, heir to the yeast business of the same name and Santa Barbara philanthropist, purchased the adobe and gave it to the newly-formed Santa Barbara Foundation as their headquarters. Since then it has been maintained and preserved as a relicario of Santa Barbara’s Mexican era and its rich cultural legacy. •MJ

MONTECITO JOURNAL 33 (Sources not mentioned in text: Walker Tompkin’s History Makers [revised]; News-Press 3-19-50 – articles on Sir George Simpson; The Larkin Papers, vol 1; Bancroft pioneer register; contemporary newspapers. Thanks to Kathi Brewster and Michael Redmon.)

R I S K I N P A R T N E R S

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