Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Question: After a 1925 earthquake, Santa Barbara rebuilt its downtown in one unified style, giving it the red-tile roofs and white walls it’s famous for today. What’s that style called?

Answer: Spanish Colonial Revival. The June 29, 1925, earthquake badly damaged some of Santa Barbara’s downtown buildings, including the old county courthouse and Hall of Records. During the rebuilding, façades along State Street were remade in Spanish Colonial Revival style, helping create the distinctive look that still defines the city and its landmark county courthouse.