Naval Reserve Center Santa Barbara facts for kids
The Naval Reserve Center building in Santa Barbara, California, is a historic landmark on the city's waterfront. Today, it is best known as the home of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
Contents
A Building with a Long History
This building has seen a lot of action over the years, from training sailors to helping the community.
It all started in 1897 when a group of citizens in Santa Barbara formed a naval militia. A militia is a group of regular people trained to act as soldiers in an emergency. Their job was to help defend the coast.
They practiced skills like tying knots, splicing ropes, and firing cannons on visiting US Navy ships. When World War I began, the group had grown to 123 members and four officers, and they were called to serve their country.
Building the Armory
In the 1930s, the U.S. government's Works Project Administration (WPA) built the Naval Reserve Armory, which we now call the Naval Reserve Center. The WPA was a program that created jobs for people during a tough economic time called the Great Depression.
Santa Barbara's leaders were happy to have the armory. They believed it would be good for the city. Local Navy Reservists had already proven to be helpful neighbors. They helped with recovery efforts after the big earthquake in 1925 and took part in many other community projects.
The building itself, with its large hall and classrooms, was also a great resource for the town. Over the years, it was used by local colleges, youth groups, and even for science conferences.
Service in World War II
When the United States entered World War II in 1941, the building was almost finished. Construction stopped, and the unfinished building was boarded up.
In 1943, the building was finally completed and became the Small Craft Training Center. It was used as a school for sailors on minesweepers, which are ships that clear underwater mines. During the war, many destroyers and sub-chasers could be seen at the nearby Navy Pier.
After the war, the building was officially named the United States Naval Reserve Armory.
A Center for Training
By 1948, the building's main purpose shifted from storing weapons to training reservists. It was renamed the Naval Reserve Training Center. For many years, men and women from the Santa Barbara area trained there.
These reservists were also called to serve during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Their training helped them serve both their country and their local community.
A New Chapter
In the mid-1990s, the Navy sold the building back to the City of Santa Barbara. On December 2, 1994, the city held a big party with a World War II theme to celebrate. Actress Jane Russell, who lived nearby, was one of the guests.
In 1995, the Navy held a final ceremony and moved its operations to a new base in Port Hueneme. Today, the old Naval Reserve Center building is home to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, a restaurant, and offices.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is a great place to learn about the sea. It explores the history of the Santa Barbara Channel and the people who have lived and worked on its waters.
Exhibits include:
- The giant Fresnel lens from the Point Conception Lighthouse.
- Displays about local fishing and diving.
- The history of surfing in the area.
- Information about the Honda Point disaster, a naval accident in 1922.
- Stories about the people who lived and worked on the nearby Channel Islands.
Images for kids
-
A historical photo of the Naval Reserve Center.
-
The building as it looked in the 1960s.
