The Cañedo Adobe and Padre’s Quarters at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park are undergoing porch and roof restorations, and construction is expected to last through the summer.

The project is managed by the park’s nonprofit operator, The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with California State Parks, with architectural consulting by Harrison Design. 

“We get excited about that kind of detailing and these historic properties, and being able to launch them into the next 100 years of their existence,” said William Hull, senior project manager at Harrison Design. “It has been an honor to be a part of that, and especially with a project that is so publicly visible as a part of the city’s history.”

Construction will take place before park hours, leaving public access unaffected, according to SBTHP Associate Executive Director for Cultural Resources Mike Imwalle. The park is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

The restoration is possible through Proposition 68 (2018), which made nearly $5 million in funding available for projects at state parks operated by nonprofits. 

Through a specialized sub-grant administered by California State Parks, construction on the Presidio began in February. 

The Cañedo Adobe was built as part of the original Royal Spanish Presidio in 1787. Its current roof was put on in 1948 during a remodeling by historic preservationist Elmer Whittaker. 

After nearly 80 years, the roof has sustained damage from leaks and termites, Imwalle said. 

“It’s bound to happen in a 78-year period, and now we’ll have an all-new frame so that hopefully this roof will last another 100 years,” Imwalle said. 

After old tiles were removed, they discovered the underlying framing was in worse condition than anticipated, delaying construction, Imwalle said.  

“There was an assumption that some of it would have to get replaced just because of its age,” Hull said. “But having more (damage) than was assumed, you have to pause and reevaluate.”

With additional funds now secured and new roof frame designs drawn, construction resumed this summer. 

Hull likened architectural consulting for historic buildings to a “detective story.”

Using the Whittaker remodeling and reconstruction plans for the Padres Quarters from the 70s to better the building’s history, Hull’s team completed on-site field verifications before drawing plans.

Evaluating the structure’s original build helps maintain historical integrity while adhering to modern code requirements when drawing plans, he said. 

“We got to do things like electrical requirements and plumbing requirements and code requirements and other stuff that we want to do as discreetly as possible so as to minimize the impact on the historic nature of the project,” Hull said. 

Work has been “slow going and very complicated,” Imwalle said, because the Cañedo Adobe and Padre’s Quarters are from different eras. Both have varying construction techniques that require attention to detail. 

“It’s a lot more technical than just replacing the roof,” Imwalle said. “We have to match two completely different types of construction, different types of wood, different types of finishes, and so it’s a little technical, and I’m looking forward to getting it finished.”