Historical Marker · No. 307
De La Guerra Plaza
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County · California
Erected by the California Centennials Commission in cooperation with Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Historical Society, 1950
De la Guerra Plaza was public ground before it was a park. The common council set it aside in the 1850s as a city square and promenade, and in 1875 the city planted its first city hall in the middle of it, a brick building holding offices, jail, firehouse and courtroom. That lasted half a century. Voters approved a new City Hall in 1922 by six to one, the old building came down, and the square opened again — cleared by a generation busy reimagining Santa Barbara's Spanish past.
What the plaque says
De La Guerra Plaza 1850 - 1950 Near this site, August 26, 1850, two weeks before California statehood, duly elected common council, City of Santa Barbara, held first official meeting. Here in 1875, first city hall erected and area still center of city's governmental activities. Plaza scene early Santa Barbara fiestas, and De La Guerra House set standards for Santa Barbara hospitality. Marker erected by California Centennials Commission in cooperation with Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Historical Society Dedicated August 26, 1950
Where it stands
34.42015, -119.69902 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Old Lobero Theatre — steps away
- Casa Covarrubias — steps away
- Site of Royal Spanish Presidio of Santa Barbara — steps away
- Hill-Carrillo Adobe — steps away