Take a step back in time with our growing collection of public domain historical photographs showcasing Santa Barbara’s remarkable past. Explore vintage views of State Street, Stearns Wharf, Mission Santa Barbara, the Old Courthouse, historic neighborhoods, and many of the people and places that helped shape California’s American Riviera. These images offer a fascinating look at how the city has evolved over the past 150 years while preserving the character that makes Santa Barbara so unique.
Our collection features photographs from trusted government, university, and library archives that are identified as being in the public domain or available for public use whenever possible. Whether you’re a history buff, local resident, educator, or simply curious about Santa Barbara’s past, we invite you to browse these remarkable images and discover the stories behind the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Hotel Potter, Santa Barbara, 1908. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2007660698/
Old Spanish Days “La Fiesta Time” in California. In the Courtyard of Court House, Santa Barbara. [between 1908 and 1928] – https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2025662922/
Title: Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California. Created in 2012, Creator(s): Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2013632003/
Title: Samarkand, Persian Hotel, Santa Barbara, Cal.
Date Created/Published: [between 1900 and 1940]
Medium: 1 photograph : gelatin silver print ; sheet 9 x 14 cm (postcard format). https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2024686906/
Title: The Garden Crucifix
Date Created/Published: 1906. Part of: Postcard filing series (Library of Congress) https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2025662921/
Covarrubias Adobe, 715 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ca0901.photos.018052p/
“The devil passes” Direct from sensational Los Angeles run. Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of “The Devil Passes” at the Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, Calif., showing a hooded figure looming over a man. 1936. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98519015/
Aerial view of the harbor in Santa Barbara, California. 2013 – https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2013631277/