Edhat Reader
I stumbled across this interesting document from the Library on Congress. A Guide to Santa Barbara, Town and County, containing information on matters of interest to tourists and new settlers.
Created by “The Santa Barbara Index” and published by Wood & Sefton, Santa Barbara printers, in 1872.
Here’s a quote from the pamphlet:
“Let us go to Santa Barbara! The descriptions that come from there are enchanting as well as appetizing. Olive and orange groves; stately walnut trees; vines clustering on the hillside; fruits of every variety – tropical, semi-tropical, and temperate; orchards equaling those of Sorrento; and an air from the ocean as soft and refreshing as from the Mediterranean. Beach drives unequaled; mountain views unrivaled; romantic glens and groves.” – Harper’s Bazar
The book also commented on the increased housing growth, which I found interesting given our unique shortage at the moment. It stated that a good deal of real estate had been changing hands recently throughout the county as people are gobbling up lots and building homes causing property values to increase steadily.
At this time it quoted its population of 3,500 in the city and about 10,000 in the county with a steady population increase from the East Coast. Most come for the climate and to bring relatives with any kind of health issue to recover.
Places of Interest
There are a lot of these I haven’t heard of and wonder if readers know anything more about them.
- Orchards and Vineyards of Mr. Goux and Mr. Packard just west of town. Visitors can witness the silk worm business and process of making wine.
- The grounds of Dr. Shaw and Judge Fernald to witness fruit trees
- Mr. Bond’s orchard in Montecito
- The Mammoth Grapevine – three miles east of town in Montecito is the “most gigantic grapevine in all the world between 50 and 70 years old.” I wonder what happened to it?! The vine is said to produce 8,000 to 10,000 pounds of grapes annually.
There is so much to discover in this pamphlet, it’s really interesting. Read the full 1872 Guide to Santa Barbara here.
Question #1: From MESApedia: “Albert Packard and his wife Manuela Burke Ayres … lived on the Westside where his property ran from Cañon Perdido to Victoria, and from De la Vina Street westward up the slope of the Mesa.
A visitor in 1874 gives us a detailed description of the Packard establishment: ‘He has one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. His orange, olive, almond and mulberry groves are deserving of a little more attention than has been paid them. They occupy quite an extensive tract of land, and so much care has been taken in their cultivation that they look better than anything I have seen in the state.’”
A couple of other farmers also grew mulberry trees for silkworms, but I believe that the labor/skills required to obtain silk from the silkworms were lacking here in SB, and silk production never took hold.
Question #4: The Montecito grapevine was cut down and sent to Philadelphia to be exhibited at the 1876 Centennial Exposition.
Maybe some other SB historians can help you with the other questions.
I guess this is the world’s second largest grape vine:
https://www.coastalview.com/news/world-s-largest-grapevine/article_0b48b618-427b-11ec-83b9-e38b6d1b3e5b.html
also
“Local history includes two very special stories about local grapevines that grew to mythical proportions: First, there was La Parra Grande, planted at the end of the 19th century. Years later came La Vina Grande, another horticultural wonder.”
https://cartas.typepad.com/main/2010/08/historic-grapevine-la-parra-grande-.html