At 6:42 a.m. on June 29, 1925, the city of Santa Barbara shook for 18 seconds as a 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the town, claiming 11 lives and forever transforming the landscape of the downtown area.
One hundred years ago, “The twin towers of Mission Santa Barbara collapsed, and 85% of the commercial buildings downtown were destroyed or badly damaged. A failed dam in the foothills released 45 million gallons of water, and a gas company engineer became a hero when he shut off the city’s gas supply and prevented fires like those that destroyed San Francisco 20 years earlier,” according to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
Aiming to promote a greater understanding of Santa Barbara’s history to raise awareness about current conditions and ways to prepare for future challenges, a group of local nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and residents established the EQ25 Alliance. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1925 earthquake through informative and entertaining programs, events, exhibitions, and community gatherings, EQ25 Alliance invites the public to participate and gain valuable, relevant insights.
“The 100th anniversary of the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake offers a unique opportunity for Santa Barbara to learn from our past, reflect on our present, and plan for our future. It is a recognition of our community and our resilience,” notes the EQ25 Alliance on its website, EQ25.org.
Building Better
While homes, businesses, and the power plant were destroyed, the community united to help one another during the aftermath of the quake. Radio transmission, Cottage Hospital, and the post office were moved outdoors, and many citizens slept outside in the days of aftershocks post-earthquake. Residents also came together to ensure those in need had food and sustenance.
Rebuilding the city began with the establishment of the Board of Public Safety and Reconstruction on July 1, 1925, says Michael Redmon, historian at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
“Safety was certainly an important consideration from the beginning of reconstruction,” notes Redmon, adding, “Within a year much of the downtown had been largely rebuilt, although certainly there was still much to do; for example, the Arlington Theater did not open until 1931.”
The style of today’s Santa Barbara took root during the post-earthquake reconstruction.
“Perhaps the largest impact was the acceleration of a movement that had already begun around the turn of the century to give the city a certain look based upon variants of the Spanish-Colonial Revival architectural style,” Redmon explains.
The biggest question that comes to my mind 100 years later is whether the city is equipped to handle another big quake.
“I would certainly think the city is better off today in regard to earthquake safety and in readiness to meet the emergency of a major quake,” says Redmon. “Construction standards are more stringent, and retrofitting of buildings has taken place through the years.”
To learn more and to view a complete event schedule, visit EQ25.org.
EQ25 Alliance Events
June 1-30: Family Stories From SB’s 1925 Earthquake at Sahyun Library
June 27: Bernhard and Irene Hoffman’s Role in Pre/Post-Earthquake Spanish Colonial Revival Style Architecture at the Alhecama Theatre
June 27: Lecture at the SB Mission Archive-Library
June 28: EQ QuakeFest Block Festival and Commemoration on State Street
June 29: Day of Remembrance Memorial at the Mission
"The twin towers of Mission Santa Barbara collapsed, and 85% of the commercial buildings downtown were destroyed or badly damaged."