There are old wooden pilings in Arroyo Burro Creek, just up from Hendry’s Beach where it parallels the parking lot. They look like they could have supported a road bridge or some kind of pier. Any idea what they were for? I’ve been wondering forever! —S.
Soon after I began asking around, someone floated the theory that the pilings are a remnant of boat access for the former ranch owned by William Hendry. (The Independent ran an article in 2015 about William N. Hendry’s history in the area.) As intriguing as a pier sounds, however, it doesn’t appear to be accurate.
Instead, the county constructed creosote pilings in Arroyo Burro Creek to protect the bank from storm water, says Santa Barbara Historical Museum archivist Chris Ervin, citing mentions in the Santa Barbara News-Press and Morning Press from 1927.
And Tom Modugno of Goleta History seconded that with more newspaper clippings: “In the winter of 1927, we had a lot of rain and part of Cliff Drive got washed away by the rushing creek waters. The county got right on it, dumping ‘brick from the old courthouse vault’ into the creek to try to divert it. (I’m guessing that would be brick from the old courthouse that was destroyed in the 1925 earthquake?) Then they got bids to build more of a structure with pilings and to redirect the creek away from the road. The bids came in too high, so the county did the work themselves. I’ve attached some articles and a photo from 1928.”
Got a question you’d like investigated? Email [email protected] or text 917-209-6473.
················
Previous Burning Questions:
••• What’s this building under construction in Toro Canyon?
••• What’s the story behind the seal of the City of Santa Barbara?
••• Butterfly Beach steps, green power lines, SBAG license plates, and more
••• What’s this pole with a flashing blue light?
••• What are these sculptures on the Riviera?
••• What’s the origin story of this fence on Hot Springs Road?
••• What’s the housing development under construction next to the polo fields?
••• Why is part of this West Beach mosaic covered in concrete?
••• What was the Weeping Willow Inn?
••• What does the “S” on certain chimneys stand for?
↓↓↓ What’s the status of the decommissioning of Rincon Island?
••• What happened to the gas flame on Highway 101?
••• What do we know about the proposed apartment complex at 1 Hot Springs Road?
••• What’s the history of this tower on Ortega Ridge?
••• What’s up with these sculptures on a hillside in Summerland?
••• Is there a master plan for the new walking paths in Montecito?
••• Why are the Thousand Steps still wet?
••• What’s happening with Sola Street?
••• Why are trees being cut down above the San Ysidro Ranch?
••• Why is this lot on Milpas Street still vacant?
••• Where else do cruise ships that visit here go?
••• What is this large memorial in Ennisbrook?
••• What’s the large building under construction next to Highway 101?
••• Who bought the former St. Mary’s seminary—and why?
••• What will happen to the SBPD building when the new building is completed?
••• How does the city decide to mark bike lanes?
••• What’s the story with this house on W. Cota Street?
••• What are those little houses on Santa Barbara Street?
••• Is the Music Academy of the West adding pedestrian gates?
••• Why does the Coast Village Road median look so bad?
••• What’s the point of this light pole near the freeway?
••• Why are the city’s parking lots scanning license plates?
••• What’s inside Paseo Nuevo’s State Street tower?
••• What’s the point of these markings on Laguna Street?
••• Why is there a giant red shoe off Highway 101?
••• Are we no longer allowed on the SBHS baseball field?
••• What does “SBTP” on this post mean?
••• What’s up with the “no e-bike” signs on local trails?
••• Why is Franceschi House in a holding pattern?
••• What’s happening with this derelict house in Summerland?
••• Why is there wood on some power lines?
••• Can you explain how sundowner winds work?
••• Why is there a pressure cooker attached to this utility pole?
••• What’s this concrete ramp thing on East Beach?
••• Why does “USA” get written on the street?
••• What are those poles in the ocean near the Ritz-Carlton Bacara?
••• Are people really allowed to set fires in the middle of Montecito?
••• What’s the story with the half-finished lot next to the Montecito Country Mart?
················
Sign up for the Siteline email newsletter and you’ll never miss a post.
Comment: