A great commentary. Sorry to say Pearl would cry if she were alive to see the declinization of what was essentially her making- a small city that respected the God given aura of the place.
We are led by forces that dont understand the necessary vigilance Pearl had in preserving the aesthetics of this vaunted place. There was a paradisical rapture of balance-architectural scale from the mountains to the sea.
Pearl Chase founded the Organization of which I was the executive director for 28 years and seven more years as projects administrator. The Organization, of course, is the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Its primary project was reconstruction of the Presidio. She donated her entire estate to our organization through her will. She was always an inspiration to me and I tried to pay respect to her by being committed to the The project that was most important to her—the presidio ; during my tenure we were able to acquire all the land needed for the project from willing sellers and were able to rebuild about a third of the adobe buildings, including the Presidio Chapel. We also restored the Alhrcama theater on the site and created a two-story Presidio research center; among the acquisitions were Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens. Thanks to then owner Bob Lovejoy of it the bar was restored to its actual original configuration in the 1950s.Trust also oversaw the restoration of the El Paseo complex which was donated in her name to the trust which placed a historic easement over the complex to protect it after it was sold. We also restored the Casa de lol Guerra Adobe. There is more work to be done at the Presidio in the future. I hope the current board of the Trust keeps alive her memory and forges forth to finish the Presidio project that includes about 2/3 reconstruction of the fort and its front gate. Pearl Chase knew that the Presidio project was not only the founding site of our community, but of National and international importance that connects to the history of Mexico and Spain. She was a truly great woman.
What a refreshing article, to start the day with Pearl Chase. Can we call her the architectural soul of downtown Santa Barbara? You are so on-the-ball in reminding us of what one person can do to rally others in a good cause for the ages. America does not have the deep history and architecture of Europe or Egypt, so we have to treasure what we do have and if possible, add to it, when we can.
Hi Bonnie. My folks knew Pearl in her later years. Lovely, elegant woman. Isn't "Chase Palm Park" named after her.... or her family? I just had back surgery, otherwise I would make the gathering. John
The park was originally known as Palm Park. It was renamed to recognize the siblings' contributions to preserving Santa Barbara's waterfront and protecting its natural beauty.
There is even a commemorative plaque at the park honoring Pearl and Harold. Its inscription reads:
“Honoring a sister and brother whose many contributions to Santa Barbara’s beauty and welfare included establishing this park.”
Pearl was especially influential in preserving Santa Barbara's historic character, while Harold was a prominent local real estate developer who also contributed to the city's development and preservation.
Miss Chase's legacy, while somewhat unabashedly ignored in today's architectural and planning community, is an extraordinary example of one person's lifelong proactive vision and dedication to her community.
She recognized Santa Barbara's footprint as a unique and special place deserving protection and preservation as represented through the great work of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and its leadership.
Despite the contemporary effort to compactly urbanize Santa Barbara…emulating Los Angeles…her influence will never be diminished…even in the shadows cast by the newly constructed and proposed soulless monoliths.
Thanks for the recognition of Pearl Chase and the heads up on Monday's event.
The blank face soon to be staring at us, directly flush on State Street sidewalk side where Macy's no longer will be, indeed is the "new face" of Santa Barbara. Just so the select few can score virtue-signaling points for themselves, in direct contradiction to our former community-wide shared preservationist aesthetics enjoyed by all.
Make it ugly, and perhaps people will finally stop coming here and demanding they too have the right to live here. So squeeze us in. There is a tipping point where all is lost for everyone. We are fast closing in on that magic number..
Super timing for this great article. Thanks, Bonnie. Right after this recent very threatening local city council election, with a new majority dedicated to wipe out what we used to know as Santa Barbara. Agree, citizens on their own do remain the final vote in order to care and protect our cherished legacy in Pearl Chase's name.
The two pending city referendums on State Street and rent-control will finally give city voters at large a chance to take at least parts of our city back and out of the hands of current very narrow district representation which now sets city-wide policy.
The salute to the second generation of preservationists is also a well deserved reminder: Kellem deForest; Erin Griffey to name two; and the many unsung leaders of the Pearl Chase Society who are equally dedicated . And also Cherie Rae, their always eloquent scribe. The polished beauty of the County Recorders Office restoration and the preservation of the stone fountain in front of our exquisite county court house itself - both thanks to The Pearl Chase Society.
Keep these lights burning bright in all our windows - in what departed Mayor Shiela Lodge described in her final salute to Santa Barbara, as this very special and ...Uncommon American Town. It was indeed civic volunteers and not the government who handed out these candles. Our job, each and every one of us, is to ensure their flames never go out. Beauty of place unifies us all.
A twofer: a shout out to our long-running downtown book store The Book Den which also specializes in California historic literature and a chance to keep Mayor Lodge's book on Santa Barbara's unique history on al our book shelves to pass on to those who come after us. https://www.bookden.com/a-new-book-on-santa-barbara-by-former-mayor-sheila-lodge/
A great commentary. Sorry to say Pearl would cry if she were alive to see the declinization of what was essentially her making- a small city that respected the God given aura of the place.
We are led by forces that dont understand the necessary vigilance Pearl had in preserving the aesthetics of this vaunted place. There was a paradisical rapture of balance-architectural scale from the mountains to the sea.
Pearl Chase founded the Organization of which I was the executive director for 28 years and seven more years as projects administrator. The Organization, of course, is the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Its primary project was reconstruction of the Presidio. She donated her entire estate to our organization through her will. She was always an inspiration to me and I tried to pay respect to her by being committed to the The project that was most important to her—the presidio ; during my tenure we were able to acquire all the land needed for the project from willing sellers and were able to rebuild about a third of the adobe buildings, including the Presidio Chapel. We also restored the Alhrcama theater on the site and created a two-story Presidio research center; among the acquisitions were Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens. Thanks to then owner Bob Lovejoy of it the bar was restored to its actual original configuration in the 1950s.Trust also oversaw the restoration of the El Paseo complex which was donated in her name to the trust which placed a historic easement over the complex to protect it after it was sold. We also restored the Casa de lol Guerra Adobe. There is more work to be done at the Presidio in the future. I hope the current board of the Trust keeps alive her memory and forges forth to finish the Presidio project that includes about 2/3 reconstruction of the fort and its front gate. Pearl Chase knew that the Presidio project was not only the founding site of our community, but of National and international importance that connects to the history of Mexico and Spain. She was a truly great woman.
Good morning, Bonnie!
What a refreshing article, to start the day with Pearl Chase. Can we call her the architectural soul of downtown Santa Barbara? You are so on-the-ball in reminding us of what one person can do to rally others in a good cause for the ages. America does not have the deep history and architecture of Europe or Egypt, so we have to treasure what we do have and if possible, add to it, when we can.
Hi Bonnie. My folks knew Pearl in her later years. Lovely, elegant woman. Isn't "Chase Palm Park" named after her.... or her family? I just had back surgery, otherwise I would make the gathering. John
The park was originally known as Palm Park. It was renamed to recognize the siblings' contributions to preserving Santa Barbara's waterfront and protecting its natural beauty.
There is even a commemorative plaque at the park honoring Pearl and Harold. Its inscription reads:
“Honoring a sister and brother whose many contributions to Santa Barbara’s beauty and welfare included establishing this park.”
Pearl was especially influential in preserving Santa Barbara's historic character, while Harold was a prominent local real estate developer who also contributed to the city's development and preservation.
Miss Chase's legacy, while somewhat unabashedly ignored in today's architectural and planning community, is an extraordinary example of one person's lifelong proactive vision and dedication to her community.
She recognized Santa Barbara's footprint as a unique and special place deserving protection and preservation as represented through the great work of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and its leadership.
Despite the contemporary effort to compactly urbanize Santa Barbara…emulating Los Angeles…her influence will never be diminished…even in the shadows cast by the newly constructed and proposed soulless monoliths.
Thanks for the recognition of Pearl Chase and the heads up on Monday's event.
The blank face soon to be staring at us, directly flush on State Street sidewalk side where Macy's no longer will be, indeed is the "new face" of Santa Barbara. Just so the select few can score virtue-signaling points for themselves, in direct contradiction to our former community-wide shared preservationist aesthetics enjoyed by all.
Make it ugly, and perhaps people will finally stop coming here and demanding they too have the right to live here. So squeeze us in. There is a tipping point where all is lost for everyone. We are fast closing in on that magic number..
MPCGA - Make Pearl Chase Great Again!
Super timing for this great article. Thanks, Bonnie. Right after this recent very threatening local city council election, with a new majority dedicated to wipe out what we used to know as Santa Barbara. Agree, citizens on their own do remain the final vote in order to care and protect our cherished legacy in Pearl Chase's name.
The two pending city referendums on State Street and rent-control will finally give city voters at large a chance to take at least parts of our city back and out of the hands of current very narrow district representation which now sets city-wide policy.
The salute to the second generation of preservationists is also a well deserved reminder: Kellem deForest; Erin Griffey to name two; and the many unsung leaders of the Pearl Chase Society who are equally dedicated . And also Cherie Rae, their always eloquent scribe. The polished beauty of the County Recorders Office restoration and the preservation of the stone fountain in front of our exquisite county court house itself - both thanks to The Pearl Chase Society.
Keep these lights burning bright in all our windows - in what departed Mayor Shiela Lodge described in her final salute to Santa Barbara, as this very special and ...Uncommon American Town. It was indeed civic volunteers and not the government who handed out these candles. Our job, each and every one of us, is to ensure their flames never go out. Beauty of place unifies us all.
A twofer: a shout out to our long-running downtown book store The Book Den which also specializes in California historic literature and a chance to keep Mayor Lodge's book on Santa Barbara's unique history on al our book shelves to pass on to those who come after us. https://www.bookden.com/a-new-book-on-santa-barbara-by-former-mayor-sheila-lodge/
She would turn over in her grave if she knew what was going on in Santa Barbara today.