Paseo de la Guerra facts for kids
The Paseo de la Guerra is a special group of historic buildings in downtown Santa Barbara, California. It's like a journey back in time! Since 1977, these buildings have been recognized as important landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places. The name "Paseo de la Guerra" means "Guerra's Walkway." It's named after the Guerra family of California, who were a very important and well-known family in Santa Barbara's history.
Discovering Paseo de la Guerra
The Paseo de la Guerra includes a famous old building called the Casa de la Guerra. This house is built in the Spanish Colonial architecture style, which uses thick adobe walls. It was the home of José de la Guerra y Noriega. He was a Spanish military officer, a government worker, and a rancher. Construction on his home began way back in the 1700s!
From Home to Shopping Arcade
In the middle of the 1900s, the Paseo de la Guerra area changed. It became a lively place with shops and places where skilled artists (called artisans) could sell their crafts. This new design kept the old adobe house but added more buildings around it. These new buildings were designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style. This style brings back the look of old Spanish buildings. A famous local architect named Lutah Maria Riggs helped design these beautiful additions.
A Landmark Today
Today, the Paseo de la Guerra is still a very important landmark and a popular place to visit. It works as both a museum, where you can learn about history, and a boutique mall, where you can find unique shops. It's a great example of how history and modern life can blend together in a beautiful way.
