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

Stearns Wharf

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020

1. Stearns Wharf Marker

Inscription. John P. Stearns built Santa Barbara's major commercial wharf in 1872 with funds borrowed from W. W. Hollister. The enterprise was successful, although Stearns Wharf suffered from severe storms in 1878. Steamships brought passengers to the wharf regularly for over four decades. A busy industrial and fishing pier, it was closed to pleasure use during World War II. The Santa Barbara Wharf Company operated Stearns Wharf from 1955 to 1973. In 1980-81 the City restored the wharf's substructure, constructed entirely new buildings, and assumed operation of the facility.

Erected 1985 by Native Sons of the Golden West Santa Barbara Parlor No. 116, Native Daughters of the Golden West Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 34° 24.581′ N, 119° 41.141′ W. Marker is in Santa Barbara, California, in Santa Barbara County. Marker is on Stearns Wharf, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Barbara CA 93101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "St. Barbara" (here, next to this marker); Historic Capstan (a few steps

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from this marker); Richard Henry Dana, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Stearns Wharf Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Barbara's First People (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Barbara Veterans' Memorial Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Burton’s Mound (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sambo's Birthplace (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Barbara.

Also see . . . Stearns Wharf History (Stearns Wharf). (Submitted on December 5, 2020.)

Stearns Wharf Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020

2. Stearns Wharf Marker - wide view

Stearns Wharf - partial view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 30, 2020

3. Stearns Wharf - partial view

Looking south with the Moby Dick restaurant in the background.

<i>Stearns Wharf</i> image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, circa 1900

4. Stearns Wharf

"Stearns Wharf, with steamship and lumber schooners moored to the wharf and lumber stacked up, circa 1900."

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.