Casa de la Guerra

The Casa de la Guerra was the residence of the fifth commandant of the Presidio de Santa Barbara, José de la Guerra y Noriega from 1828 until his death in 1858. Descendants of José lived in the home until 1943. The site is currently owned and operated by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation as a historic house museum. The address is located at 15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, California.

The time when José lived in the "casa" it was known to locals as the "casa grande" (big house), as the thirteen room structure dwarfed the surrounding one room adobes. In the "casa grande" period, José added the altito structure. The altito structure no longer stands, but acted as José's office and was where he stored his money.

In 1857, the Fort Tejon earthquake did significant damage to the residence, and due to José's declining health, his son Pablo spearheaded renovations. Pablo's renovations reflected the change in style in the Santa Barbara area, modifying the home to give it a Victorian appearance. The most significant changes in this time were the removal of the adobe columns in favor of wooden columns and the addition of wooden siding to the house.

The Casa is a Santa Barbara City Landmark, a California Historical Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The house is being restored and furnished to appear as it might have between 1828 and 1858. The Casa de la Guerra is open to visitors from Thursdays through Sundays.

External links

* [http://www.sbthp.org/casa.htm Casa de la Guerra - Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation]