When in the early 1870s historian Hubert Howe Bancroft sent interviewers out to gather oral histories from the pre-statehood gentry of California, he didn’t count on one thing: the women. When the men weren’t available, the interviewers collected the stories of the women of the household—sometimes almost as an afterthought. These interviews were eventually archived at the University of California, though many were all but forgotten. Testimonios presents thirteen women’s firsthand accounts from the days when California was part of Spain and Mexico. Having lived through the gold rush and seen their country change so drastically, these women understood the need to tell the full story of the people and the places that were their California.

When this book was first published as a bestseller in 1960, reviewers noted that the 400-year history of Ranchero Dos Pueblos mirrored in microcosm the history of California itself. Dos Pueblos bears one of California’s oldest place-name, christened by Cabrillo during his voyage of discovery in 1542. Dubbed a “royal rancho” by historians because it was a gift of King Carlos III of Spain, Dos Pueblos was intended to support Mission Santa Barbara during the presidio period following Santa Barbara’s founding in 1782. The first private owner, Irish-born Nicholas A. Den, a medical man, was awarded ownership of the ranch in 1842 by Mexican governor Juan B. Alvarado. When Col. John C. Fremont came over the mountain to seize Santa Barbara for the U.S. during the Mexican War, he emerged onto Dos Pueblos Ranch. During the Gold Rush of ‘49, Den made his fortune selling Dos Pueblos beef to mining camps. Following Den’s death in 1862 the ranch was subdivided among his widow and numerous children. Before and after the turn of the century Royal Ranch was the scene of many diverse activities. One of its later owners bred racehorses. Another converted Dos Pueblos into the world’s largest orchid farm. A major oil company established off-shore petroleum production from pumps operated on the ranch. At the present time the historic spread specializes in such exotic crops as macadamia, cherimoyas and avocados.

The Colorful Story of a Santa Barbara Landmark The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a widely recognized icon of the city called the e oeCalifornia Riviera, e and just as widely known as a historic architectural achievement. Thousands, if not millions, visit it each yeare "jurists and tourists alikee "but although everyone appreciates its beauty, few really know how it came to be. Surprisingly, in the three-quarters of a century that the building has graced its grounds, no one has undertaken to document this architectural masterpiece. Authors Patricia Gebhard and Kathryn Masson have changed that once and for all with their book, The Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Together with photographer James Chen and book designer Eric Larson, they have created a work that is not only historically important, but nearly as beautiful as the courthouse itself. Many people know or assume that Santa Barbara had a courthouse before the present building was erected in 1929, but almost no one knows anything about it. Gebhard and Masson begin there, with historic photos of the original, classical-style courthouse and its Queen Anne hall of records add-on. In 1919 the county, needing more room, held a design competition for a new courthouse, and the entries received, as Gebhard and Masson show us, were heavily inA3/4uenced by the Spanish baroque style that was popularized by the 1915 Panama-California Exhibition in San Diego. None of these designs was built, however, because the county was unable to raise money to pay for construction. It wasne (TM)t until 1925, when the old courthouse was destroyed by the earthquake that leveled much of Santa Barbara, that a new building became imperative and funds were Aznally secured. Construction began in 1926, with the result we see today. (The footprint of the old building is reflected in the contours of the ! sunken gardens behind the present courthouse.) To document their story, Gebhard and Masson spent months poring over County Supervisorse (TM) minutes, news reports in the Santa Barbara Morning Press and articles in architectural magazines, and courthouse docentse (TM) records. They were able to identify nearly all of the architects, craftsmen, and artists who designed the building and created the exquisite tile, ironwork, furniture, murals and landscaping that grace it inside and out. Many of these individuals and companies are long gone, of course, but many are still active, and, as the authors point out, some of the courthousee (TM)s Azttings can still be ordered from their catalogs. Chene (TM)s 75 full-color photographs beautifully capture the courthousee (TM)s ambiance, and Larsone (TM)s open and asymmetrical book design reA3/4ects the buildinge (TM)s balance between void space and intricate detail. They combine with Gebhard and Massone (TM)s careful research to produce a deAznitive study and appreciation of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, one that can hope to stand as long as the building itself.

Every house has a story to tell. Whether you own an elaborate Victorian, cozy bungalow or cottage, ranch-style or are part of a newer subdivision, houses and property have unique histories that are just waiting to be uncovered. Researching the history of your house is fascinating and rewarding.

A revelatory resituation of Van Gogh's familiar works in the company of the surprising variety of nineteenth-century art and literature he most revered Vincent van Gogh's (1853-1890) idiosyncratic style grew out of a deep admiration for and connection to the nineteenth-century art world. This fresh look at Van Gogh's influences explores the artist's relationship to the Barbizon School painters Jean-François Millet and Georges Michel--Van Gogh's self-proclaimed mentors--as well as to Realists like Jean-François Raffaëlli and Léon Lhermitte. New scholarship offers insights into Van Gogh's emulation of Adolphe Monticelli, his absorption of the Hague School through Anton Mauve and Jozef Israëls, and his keen interest in the work of the Impressionists. This copiously illustrated volume also discusses Van Gogh's allegiance to the colorism of Eugène Delacroix, as well as his alliance with the Realist literature of Charles Dickens and George Eliot. Although Van Gogh has often been portrayed as an insular and tortured savant, Through Vincent's Eyes provides a fascinating deep dive into the artist's sources of inspiration that reveals his expansive interest in the artistic culture of his time. Published in association with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Published in association with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Exhibition Schedule: Columbus Museum of Art (November 12, 2021-February 6, 2022) Santa Barbara Museum of Art (February 27-May 22, 2022)

The architectural identity of the wealthy southern California town Santa Barbara is explored with emphasis on the architects who designed its major buildings, estates and historic homes. 200 illustrations.

Have you ever wondered what inspired some of the world's greatest artists? Each book in the World's Greatest Artists series offers a biography of a famous artist, introduces the techniques that made each artist's work so unique, and highlights some of the artist's most famous masterpieces. Each book features entertaining cartoons, informative sidebars, and engaging art reproductions. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, an index, and an introduction to the author and illustrator.