It all began...
On
February 25, 1871, several local merchants established a Chamber
of Commerce in the town and county of Santa Barbara "to
promote trade, commerce and business intercourse with other
communities, and to promote, as far as we are able, in all
honorable ways, the prosperity of our town, county, and
people."
One
of its first projects was to promote Santa Barbara as a health
resort. The successful program drew the rich and families from
all over the world who enjoyed the restorative qualities of
Santa Barbara. Many chose to remain here, bringing with them
a passion for a clean and open environment, and the cultural
advantages most often associated with far larger communities.
The
infamous 1925 earthquake marked a major turning point in the
history of this community. The measure of Santa Barbara's
greatness was not in the fact that the city was restored, but
in the way the restoration was conducted.
Once
the dust settled, the city and the Chamber spurred on by the
Community Arts Association, set up an Architectural Board of
Review. Present day Santa Barbara evolved from that disaster
in a weave of Old Spanish traditions, modern community spirit, and
progressive city building- refreshingly different from the
typical small city. Its citizens have set out to make the
community not only beautiful, but distinctive- the ideal
environment in which to live, work, and do business.
Past
Presidents
Bernard Krakower -- 2006
Eloy Ortega -- 2005
Steve Engles -- 2004
Vicky MacGregor -- 2003
Mike Pfau -- 2002
Ron Biscaro -- 2001
Patrick DeRueda -- 2000
Mike Noling -- 1999
Terry Downard -- 1998
Marti Correa-Garcia -- 1997
Stan Roden -- 1996
Brian Cearnal -- 1995
Ruth Grande -- 1994
Richard Davis -- 1993
Pier A. Gherini, Jr. -- 1991-1992
Betty Mazzetti Hatch -- 1990
Lawrence S. Musgrove -- 1989
Richard C. Monk -- 1988
James L. Draggoo -- 1987
Lynn B. Enns -- 1986
Don G. Van Buren -- 1985
Richard Davis -- 1983-1984
Carl E. Lindros -- 1982
James W. Morris -- 1981
Donald A. Hughes -- 1980
Silvio Di Loreto -- 1977
Willard W. McEwen, Jr. -- 1976
Thomas Brashears -- 1975
Rodney J. Lamb -- 1974
Carl Nissler, Jr. -- 1973
Charles M. Taylor, Jr. -- 1972
William L. Coulson, Jr. -- 1971
Bruce O’Neal -- 1969
Edward A. Miratti -- 1967
Fred H. Duffey -- 1966
Dale Garrett -- 1965
John L. Fitch -- 1964
Tom C. Hanna -- 1963
Charles W. Jamison -- 1962
Leonard Kummer -- 1961
Reuben J. Irvin -- 1960
Richard M. Polsky -- 1954-1955
Bert T. Kallman -- 1949-1950
Dr. David England -- 1948-1949
Russell W. Bell -- 1945-1946
E.H. Stamm -- 1941-1943
Dr. Harry Hancock -- 1939-1940
Vernon H. Vawter -- 1937-1939
Capt. Charles G. Davy -- 1935-1937
Charles Campbell -- 1933-1934
Harry S. Baird -- 1931-1932
Grover C. Drake -- 1929
J.P. Kennedy -- 1928
Dr. Rexwald Brown -- 1924-1925
Frank A. Wright -- 1923
James T. Rickard -- 1922
F.A. Hoefer -- 1920
John A. Parma -- 1919
Fred H. Schauer -- 1919
G.F. Becker -- 1918
Dr. Benjamin Bakewell -- 1915-1916
C.D. Hubbard -- 1914
Albert Julius Boeseke -- Founding Father
