Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mission Historical Park

The City of Santa Barbara

— Santa Barbara Mission —

Mission Historical Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 29, 2002

1. Mission Historical Park Marker

Inscription. Santa Barbara Mission was founded December 4, 1786. Portions of five units of its extensive water works, built by Indian labor, are preserved in this park - a filter house, Spanish grist mill, sections of aqueducts, and two reservoirs. The larger reservoir, built in 1806, is used today as part of the city water system. Ruins of the pottery kiln and tanning vats are here. Also, the fountain and Lavadero are near by in front of the old Mission. A dam, built in 1807, is located in the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens, one and one-half miles up Mission Canyon.

Erected 1957 by California State Park Commission. (Marker Number 309.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 4, 1904.

Location. 34° 26.394′ N, 119° 42.732′ W. Marker is in Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara County. It can be reached from Los Olivos Street north of Alameda Padre Serra, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 502 E Los Olivos St, Santa Barbara CA 93105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Santa Barbara Mission Early Water Supply (here, next to this marker); Santa Barbara Mission Aqueduct (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Juana Maria (about 500 feet away); Santa Barbara Mission (about 600 feet away); Don Jose Francisco De Ortega (about 800 feet away); Moorish Fountain and Indian Community Laundry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Santa Barbara Mission Lavanderia (approx. 0.2 miles away); Assembly Required (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Marker and Mission Water Works image. Click for full size.

2017

2. Marker and Mission Water Works

in Santa Barbara.

Marker and Reservoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2020

3. Marker and Reservoir

The lower reservoir, built in 1806, is used today as part of the city water system.

Upper Reservoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2020

4. Upper Reservoir

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2020

5. Filter

A pool inside allowed particles to settle to the bottom.

Mission Santa Barbara image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 24, 2002

6. Mission Santa Barbara

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 24, 2002

7. Lavadero

The Mission is in the background.

Mission Aqueduct image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 29, 2002

8. Mission Aqueduct

Santa Barbara Mission Aqueduct image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 29, 2002

9. Santa Barbara Mission Aqueduct

See Nearby Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,226 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on April 11, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on November 13, 2023. 2. submitted on October 31, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 4, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on December 16, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.