Santa Barbara County History

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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Source:
A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara,
San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California
by Yda Addis Storke
Published in 1891 in Chicago by the Lewis Publishing Co.


THE WESTERN PORTION OF SANTA BARBARA. 

For convenience and for geographical and social reasons, this district will be regarded 
as comprising the following ranchos, wholly or in part: Lompoc and Mission Vieja de 
la Purisima, Punta de la Concepcion, the west half of Nuestra Senora del Refugio, 
San Julian, Canada de Salsipuedes, Santa Rosa, Santa Rita, Mission de la Purisima, and 
the southern half of Jesus Maria. It has a coast of thirty-seven miles, extending from 
La Gaviota Pass or Landing westward to Point Concepcion, and thence southward to 
Point Purisima. At Point Concepcion, the Santa Barbara Mountains, which protect the 
Santa Barbara Valley against the cold winds from the north, terminate abruptly in the 
Pacific; and the west coast valleys to the northward of this point are exposed to the 
full force of the trade winds, which, particularly at night, supply much moisture for the 
crops of summer. The climate here is accordingly cool and bracing, stimulating the 
system to labor, and promoting healthful sleep. The interior valleys are less subject to 
winds and fog, and they are warmer in the day, and cooler at night. 

Until within the last twelve or fourteen years, the only use made of all this section 
was for the raising of live-stock, and the only population consisted of the few herd- 
ers and vaqueros necessary to look after the stock. The number of acres of arable 
land in this district is estimated at 35,000, in a total of 223,487.45. The chief pro- 
ducts are wheat, barley, beans, corn, potatoes, mustard, flax, honey, butter, cheese, 
wool, hogs, cattle, horses, and sheep. In 1881, this district supported 817 horses, 
3,253 cattle, and 95,703 sheep. The annual production of wool is about 650,000 pounds. 
The soil is rich and productive, but requires early seeding and deep and thorough 
cultivation. Fruit culture is successful in the valleys which are sheltered from the 
strong and continual trade-winds of the Pacific.