Courthouse Legacy Foundation

Our Courthouse is a City, State, and National landmark. There are only four National Historic landmarks in Santa Barbara: the Courthouse, the Mission, Casa del Herrero, and the Rafael Gonzalez adobe. Yet, surprisingly there are no funds in the budget to maintain and or restore the Courthouse. If it weren’t for the Courthouse Legacy Foundation (CLF), the building would literally be crumbling around us. Damage includes crumbling sandstone, cracking tiles, defaced murals, and fading paint.

This stalwart group keeps raising funds, now around $1 million, which paid for the restoration of the Spirit of the Ocean sculpture at the entrance, the clockwork in the tower that wasn’t working, the heraldic paintings on the Grand Arch ceiling that were flaking away, and the beautiful restoration from smoke damage of the Mural Room that now has its ceiling lighted for the first time. More funds are needed for additional work on the Grand Arch. They have raised about $100,000 but need $200,000 more.

Recently, the CLF had a fund-raising party in the Courthouse – or as Rodney Baker said, “A friend-raiser.” CLF president Jan Ferrell greeted guests, who then had the privilege of a docent-led tour. My group’s guide, Kathy McColm, certainly knew her stuff after seven years volunteering. Others were Glen Dorman, Sue Mellor, Bob Dickey, and Maryanna Gray.  Following were wine tastings and a bar stocked with all the necessities. The Santa Barbara Catering Company did an outstanding job, especially with the best-ever, bacon-wrapped shrimp and freshly carved prime rib sandwiches.

Historically, this Courthouse sits on the exact location of the old Greek Revival Courthouse, which destroyed by the 1925 earthquake. It was designed by father and son architects William Mooser II and III. The Spanish-Moorish style was completed in 1929 and is considered one of the most beautiful governmental buildings in America. 

You can have a one-hour docent led tour Monday through Friday at 10:30 am and 2 pm or on the weekend at 2 pm. Or if you’d like to help preserve this special place, become a friend of the Courthouse with a $40 membership or a family membership for $75. You can check them out at www.sbclf.org.