[p. 32] Santa Barbara, p. 32
Santa Barbara, (Virgin and Martyr) was founded December 4th, 1786, by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, who had been made President of the Missions the previous year to succeed the lamented Junipero Serra.
The site selected was called Taynayam by the natives, and El Pedragoso by the Spaniards. It was about one mile distant from the presido, which had been established in 1782 by Father Serra. The location of Santa Barbara is the most beautiful of all the missions. Back from the water's edge nearly two miles, it is situated in the foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains. It was from the hills of San Marcos that the great oak beams carried by oxen (or more likely by faithful Indian-neophytes) and used in the construction of the mission buildings. Chief Yanoalit, ruler of the thirteen neighboing rancherias, proved friendly and contributed Indians to assist in work, their labor to be paid for in articles of clothing and food. This was especially the arrangement for work on the presidio. The first chapel constructed was of boughs.
In the following year, 1787, a church building 15 x 42 feet, was made of adobe and thatched with straw . Six other buildings of the same kind were erected, and in 1788 tiles were manufactured and all the buildings were covered with them. In 1789 the chapel had become too small, and another was built. Again in 1793 a larger one was constructed, a fact which is evidence of prosperity. As the Indian population was gradually increasing, it became necessary to form a village and build a separate house for each family; in consequence, nineteen houses were built of adobe in 1798. Also a piece of land was enclosed by an adobe wall nine feet high, and 3600 feet in extent; to be used [p. 33] as a garden, orchard and vineyard. The wall was capped with tiles to protect it from the rain. In 1800 the village was laid out in streets and cross-streets, and there were over fifty houses. The neophytes were taught to weave blankets, to make soap, clothing, implements and many other necessary articles. In 1807 the town of Santa Barbara had 252 dwellings beside the store houses, and other necessary buildings, all enclosed on three sides by a high wall.
In this year Santa Barbara dedicated a mission church at the station of Sagshpileel, a large rancheria near a laguna. This was known as San Miguel. Again in 1804 Santa Inez was formed because of the great number of susceptible Indians in this district. The number thus withdrawn from Santa Barbara Mission was over one hundred.
The earthquake of 1812 badly damaged the mission building at Santa Barbara, so much so that the chapel building was torn down and replaced by a new stone ediface-the present structure. This new ediface was dedicated on September 10th, 1820. The walls of the church, which is still used by the Fathers, are six feet in thickness and were made of hewn stone, strengthened by solid stone buttresses. The building is the most substantial of any of the missions in California. In June, 1846, the mission was sold to Richard S. Den for $7500, but the title was invalid. In 1852, a petition to establish a Franciscan convent or college, with a novitiate for the education of young men, was sent to Rome and was granted by the authorities. Santa Barbara Missioon was selected for the purpose. Bishop Thaddeus Amat removed from the mission to the parish church, thus leaving the Fathers in possession. By this arrangement they will have perpetual use of the buildings, gardens, vineyard and two orchards. The inner garden of the Mission is the private park or retreat for the priests, and is closed to the public. With two notable exceptions, woman has never entered this garden. They were Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, wife of the then President of the United States, and Princess Louise Marchioness of Lorne. The East garden, comprizing about one acre of land, is a part of the old burying ground and contains over four hundred bodies, one buried upon another. It is a beautiful spot, covered with roses, geraniums, rare plants and trees.
The most valued treasure of Santa Barbara is a portion of the true cross brought from the Holy Land. The Mission archives are of inestimable value to California history. The library contains massive books of parchment, illuminated, and rare old manuscripts, descriptive of life and scenes of early days in this country. When the missions secularized, books, manuscripts and most valuable records were sent to Santa Barbara Mission for safe keeping and many still remain there. Huge chests are filled with gorgeous robes and vestments, many of them made of richest brocades.