Architect Greg Rech and writer and author Betsy J. Green join Josh Molina for a fascinating discussion about the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake and how the community built its way out of the rubble.
Rech explains a series of lectures and walks in June designed to commemorate the earthquake on the 100-year anniversary. Green authored a book about the quake.
“It gave us a chance essentially for an architecture do-over,” Green said of the quake. “It happened, in a way, at a good time, it was the roaring ’20s, a lot of building going on in Santa Barbara. A lot of contractors, carpenters, workers here. We were already thinking about a more consistent architectural style.”
The quake happened at 6:44 a.m. on June 29, 1925 and killed 11 people. The size of the quake is estimated about a magnitude of 6.3.
Learn all the details in the latest episode of Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina.
Rech and Green talk about who was impacted most by the quake, what buildings were destroyed, what survived, and the mood of the community at the time.
Below is an excerpt from the Santa Barbara Morning Press on July 1, 1925, describing how animals perceived the earthquake:
“There were several mild shocks around 3 a.m. that some animals sensed. For several minutes before the earth shock wrecked the city, residents in all parts of town reported queer performances of barnyard flocks, dogs, cats, horses and cows, and even birds. Dogs ran helter-skelter with a bewildered look, some howling mournfully.
“Chickens began a barnyard chorus in all parts of town and flocked together in corners of pens. Cows and horses snorted and pranced, while cats crouched in seeming fear from an unknown danger that confronted them. Birds flocked together on wires and chirped continuously for several minutes before the first shock was felt.”
There are several upcoming earthquake centennial events.
The Great Quake & Day of Remembrance
The Great Quake Centennial Commemoration on June 28 with a block festival and commemoration on State Street. More details will be released closer to the events.
A Day of Remembrance is planned for June 29 including unveiling of plaque and an event at the Santa Barbara Mission.
Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Sunday Walking Tours
Experience the architecture of downtown Santa Barbara as it was reborn after the earthquake. The Architectural Foundation tours begin at Downtown Public Library courtyard, 40 E Anapamu St., at 10 a.m. every Sunday.
1925 Earthquake Exhibit at the Historical Museum
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum has an exhibition through July 6 about the 1925 earthquake featuring historical images and earthquake-related artifacts.
For a list of more earthquake-related events, visit the anniversary’s website.
Check out the video podcast above to learn about the quake from the experts.
Joshua Molina is journalist who currently writes for Noozhawk and teaches journalism at Santa Barbara City College. He formerly covered politics and land use for the San Jose Mercury News. Santa Barbara Talks is an independently owned podcast where Molina looks to bring together voices from all perspectives to discuss and provide solutions to the challenges related to housing, education, transportation and other community issues. Subscribe to his podcast here and consider a contribution here.