Carriages to Cars

 



The Carriage & Western Art Museum in Santa Barbara actively preserves the colorful western days of the region, displaying a collection of horse-drawn conveyances manufactured from 1850 to 1911.  Many of the carriages, buggies, and wagons are used in the “Old Spanish Days Parade” during Santa Barbara’s annual Fiesta Celebration. 

A nice Collection of Saddles

The stagecoach was an important form of transportation from Santa Barbara to Los Olivos during 1861-1901.  A team of six horses pulled a twelve passenger coach up the famous Slippery Rock Route, a trek which took 8 hours with three stops for a fresh team of horses; today the distance can be covered in half an hour.  The museum collection also includes one of a kind silver saddles and equestrian tack by noted leather craftsmen such as Bohlin and Visalia.  Saddles that once belonged to Will Rogers, Clark Gable, and Ronald Reagan are also on display along with an original western mural by famed artist Ed Borein. 

The museum additionally serves as a site for special events like weddings, anniversaries, and corporate parties.  In fact, a party was preparing to get underway as we finished up our tour of the museum.  

One of several Carriages used in Fiesta Celebrations

Beautiful Wine Keg Wagon

After touring the conveyances of the past, we rode our bikes into town and discovered that State Street, the main drag, was blocked off for an antique car show.  Eight city blocks were lined with shiny cars in mint condition representing different makes and models, a wonderful showing and fun event complete with ribbons and prizes for each category.  

Crowded Streets at the Car Show



Leonard did some Drooling Too

Due to the crowds of people drooling over their favorite cars, we had to walk our bicycles along the street most of the way.  While in town, we also visited The Reagan Ranch Center, a gallery which features original artifacts from the Reagan Ranch and highlights the accomplishments of his presidency.  The Center, which houses interactive multi-media exhibits, provides visitors access to Reagan's speeches, interviews, radio addresses, and original video presentations.  The Center in addition to The Reagan Ranch are owned by the Young America’s Foundation , a partnership of young people who share conservative ideas held so dear by President Reagan – the ideals of hard work, self-sufficiency, and responsibility along with the conviction that big government limits opportunities and limits choices so important for individuals and small businesses to succeed.  Reagan himself was self-made, having had parents of modest means.  As a boy, he moved numerous times with his family while his father looked for work as a shoe salesman; his mother worked as a salesclerk and seamstress, she also organized drama recitals which gave Ron an introduction to acting.  

Ronald Reagan's Sky Ranch and Modest Adobe Home

For higher education, Ronald Reagan was able to attend college on a partial football scholarship.  To pay for the difference, he washed dishes at a fraternity and dormitory, worked as a lifeguard and swim coach, and still managed to send money home.  Reagan believed in making the most of every opportunity; and if opportunities didn’t present themselves, then it was time to create one's own opportunity for employment.  

Reagan at his beloved Ranch del Cielo

In his latter years, Reagan continued to demonstrate the “can do” attitude on his beloved ranch, building fences, chopping wood, and engaging in other farm chores.  The six-hundred acre ranch, Rancho del Cielo (Sky Ranch), is located northwest of Santa Barbara, just 9 miles south of Los Olivos with a modest adobe home on the property built in the 1800’s; the ranch was purchased for what might be considered the cost of an average home by today’s standards.