1901

Feb 2

The Santa Barbara Morning Press (Feb 5, 1901).

CITY BRIEFS. Reported shock. It is reported that an earthquake shock was felt Saturday night shortly before 11 oÕclock. Very few people felt it.

1902

Feb 7

The Santa Barbara Morning Press

Santa Barbara. Article. (This could refer to either of the 2 following earthquakes. We find no other reports of a shock on Feb. 7. Ed.)

1902

Feb 8

The Santa Barbara Morning Press Santa Barbara, Santa Maria. Articles.

( The article in the SM Times is written a week after the shock, thus we expect that the reference to "Saturday afternoon" is bad memory of the part of the writer. We expect this quake was a foreshock to the following quake. Ed.)

1902

Feb 9

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 116.

7 a.m. Santa Barbara. People fled from their homes, but there was no damage. Felt also in Ventura, Pine Crest, and San Luis Obispo. - Reid's Scrapbook, 2, 18. (Note time difference between this and the following reports. Ed.).

The Santa Barbara Morning Press (Monday, Feb. 10, 1902)

CITY BRIEFS. Earthquake. A distinct earthquake shock was felt here yesterday morning shortly before 11 oÕclock. It was of sufficient force to ring the fire bell on the city hall, and was felt in most of the stores and offices. Charles Rowe telephoned from the De la Cuesta ranch that there was a decided shock in that locality. News from various parts of the county are to the same effect, showing that it was general.

Oxnard Courier, Vol. 4, no. 8 (Feb 22, 1902).

Astonishing occurrence at Springville. A rather peculiar occurrence took place at the mountains back of Springville at the time of the earthquake, on Sunday, Feb. 9, in which Mr. Kohler, of Pasadena, lost a number of acres of valuable grain land. It bordered on a large bank and immediately after the earthquake it was noticed that a crack of about a foot in width cut a circular path out into the grain land and back into the edge of the bank.

The Santa Barbara Morning Press (Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1902)

ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE. SEVERE SHOCK FELT IN THIS CITY SUNDAY MORNING.

At 6:50 oÕclock Sunday morning Santa Barbara experienced one of the most severe earthquakes that has visited this city for many years. It was not severe enough, however, to do any damage.

Every building in the city rocked as if it was a giant cradle, and all hanging clocks were set swinging like a pendulum. Those who were yet asleep were suddenly awakened and in many instances fled from the building. At the parochial church where service was being held, the congregation fled from the building for safety.

The oscillations apparently traveled from southeast to northwest and lasted several seconds. This was the second one within twenty-four hours, the first occurring shortly before 11 oÕclock Saturday morning, but no damage was done in either case, but the stopping of a few clocks and scarring of a few timid people.

1902

Jul 21

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 116.

Pine Crest

1902

July 27

2257 hrs

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 117.

10:57 p.m. [Los Alamos. VII to IX. The shock of July 27 was quite local, being confined to the northern part of Santa Barbara County. Store buildings were damaged and goods thrown about. On the property of the Western Union Oil Co. two tanks containing 3000 barrels of oil each were destroyed. Pipes for conducting oil and water were twisted and broken. The adobe house on the Orena ranch, which had been landmark for years, was a mass of ruins. At Lompoc buildings were damaged and pipes broken. One account says the greatest damaged occurred four miles west of Los Alamos. There was no damage in Santa Barbara. - Reid's Scrapbook, 2, 20, 21, 22.

"A month before the earthquake distinct rumblins were heard in the yard and the ground heave at the Rancho Los Alamos." - Letter from Walter Nordhoff.

The Santa Barbara Morning Press (June 29, 1902)

SERIOUS EARTHQUAKE DESTROYS PROPERTY NEAR LOS ALAMOS. CAREAGA OIL FIELDS SUFFER A LOSS ESTIMATED AT TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARD. IMMENSE OIL TANKS AND THEIR CONTENTS COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED - ENTIRE NORTHERN END OF COUNTY SUFFERS FROM THE DISTURBANCES

The earthquake shock felt by a few people in this vicinity Sunday night at about 11 oÕclock seems to have centered at Los Alamos, where a great amount of damage was done, though no one was injured. There was a common report yesterday that the quake had injured the wells of the Western Union Oil company on the Careaga ranch near Los Alamos, and that the flow of oil had been stopped, but this proved to be an exaggeration, if not entirely untrue. A message to The Press last evening stated that the wells had suffered no injury so far as could be discovered.

But the earthquake did other queer and unreasonable things. In the first place, it was not satisfied with the one shock at 11:03 oÕclock, which lasted nearly a minute, but was repeated four times in the next twenty minutes, with severe shocks at 12:55, 2:40, 3:10. this very severe and long, and others at 5:20; 7:40, and the last one reported yesterday morning at 11 oÕclock.

At Los Alamos the damage was small, glassware and dishes being broken by the fall from their shelves. At the Orena ranch the walls of the old adobe house were cracked, and a portion of one corner fell out. A stove was thrown across the room, and several small fissures could be seen near by.

At the Capt. Harris place the shock was even more severe. A sideboard was thrown across a room and on to a bed on the opposite side. No one was occupying the bed, the usual occupant, Mr. Harris, being in Santa Barbara at the time. A boy was thrown from one bed to another, but was not hurt.

The greatest damage was at the oil wells. A tank holding 1,500 barrels of oil was destroyed, and another tank of the same capacity, also filled with oil, was moved 26 feet up the hill and greatly damaged, losing the oil.

Owing to the destruction of the telephone line to the oil field, as told in these columns a few days ago, it was impossible to secure direct communication with the field; but The Press asked Attorney Leslie at Los Alamos as to the report that the oil wells had ceased to flow, and was informed that a man had just arrived from the Careaga place with the assurance that the wells were not damaged.

Mr. Blochman, at Santa Maria, reported that the Los Alamos Creek, flowing near Harris Station, had been suddenly transformed from a dry bed to a small river 2 feet deep and 18 feet wide - one effect of the quake more than making up for the damage done, should the flow continue. The creek had had no summer flow of water for several years.

Mr. Blochman stated later in the afternoon that he had seen William Logan, the superintendent of the Western Union Company at Careaga, and the report was confirmed that the wells were not damaged. The greatest loss was the two tanks of 125,000 gallons of oil. The tanks were damaged beyond repair, and of course the oil was a total loss. It is probable that the loss will amount to about $20,000.

One of the shocks was reported by Mr. Leslie to have been like the report of a thousand cannon. All of them came without warning, and were sharp and violent. Still, the buildings at Los Alamos were very little damaged, and the greatest loss there, that suffered by Mr. Harris, will amount to about $200. Mr. Leslie added that it was the most severe quake he had ever experienced in CA, since his arrival here in 1868.

At Santa Barbara the shock was severe, but no damage was done.

A telephone message to The Press from Los Alamos late last night conveyed the information that another shock was felt at 5:30 oÕclock in the afternoon. The old Orena adobe is a mass of ruins and fissures four feet deep are open in the adjoining territory.

It is thought that the disturbance is now past.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. II, No. 20 (Jul 30, 1902).

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SUSTAINS SEVERE SHOCK. A SERIES OF MIGHTY TEMBLORS SHAKE THE EARTH, DOING GREAT DAMAGE. The Santa Barbara Press has the following concerning the succession of earthquake shocks that occurred at Los Alamos Sunday night, but one of which, and that a very light one, was felt in Ventura, as far as we can learn: (long description of damage at Los Alamos area, Ed.). At Santa Barbara the shock was severe, but no damage was done.

1902

Jul 28

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 117.

[5:08 p.m.] San Luis Obispo. [Many aftersnocks followed the heavy shock at 10:57 p.m. on July 27. One of the most distinct of these aftershocks was that felt at 5:08 a.m., July 28. This was felt in San Luis Obispo as well as other places.

The Santa Barbara Morning Press

( The Santa Barbara Morning Press mentions ÔseveralÕ minor aftershocks on July 29, and T&A add that "One account states that a total of 75 shocks occurred in the five day interval between July 27 & 31. No one seems to have kept a complete record." Ed.)

1902

Jul 30

Santa Barbara Morning Press

MORE SLIGHT EARTHQUAKES. Several shocks were felt yesterday but none of any importance.

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 117-118.

1:20 a.m., 7:30 p.m. VIII to IX. Los Alamos. Two more severe earthquakes occurred in Los Alamos and surrounding country on July 31, and many minor shocks were felt during the day. The shocks of July 31 completed the ruin started on July 27. Not a chimney was left standing in Los Alamos, and not a house escaped damage. During the five days of terror the people became so nervous that when the severe shocks of the 31st came, nearly the whole population left by whatever means of transportation was available. A special train of fourteen cars was sent from San Luis Obispo to take the terrified inhabitants away. The effects were worst in a strip about fifteen miles long and four miles wide. There were fissures and cracks in the ground, landslides, and a stream which was dry flowed a large volume of water. Some of these effects occurred on July 27 and others on the 31st, but as newspaper accounts are all the evidence available, it is not easy to segregate the ahppenings in a chronological order. That there was no loss of life was due probably to the fact that there were no brick buildings in the area most badly shaken.

Santa Barbara Morning Press

CONSTERNATION AT LOS ALAMOS. PEOPLE PANIC STRICKEN AND FEAR TO ENTER HOMES. ANOTHER VIOLENT EARTHQUAKE. ADVISED TO ABANDON THEIR HOMES. LOMPOC SUFFERS IN THIS CITY.

Los Alamos, July 31, 3:40 a.m. - (Special to The Press)

The most severe earthquake shock in the history of Santa Barbara County occurred here tonight, far greater than the one of last Sunday night. It occurred at 1:20 oÕclock this morning, and was preceded by loud rumbling sounds. The people of the town rushed from their homes, clad only in their night clothes, panic-stricken, into the streets. The seismic movement seemed to be rotary, the furniture of the various homes and offices being thrown into a pile in the center of the rooms. In one room of Mr. LeslieÕs residence the contents were piled ten feet high. Not a brick chimney remains in the town. The roof of the Presbyterian Church was entirely demolished, and numerous small buildings were removed from their foundations. The shock lasted from 12 to 15 seconds.

The only place that could be reached by telephone was the State University at Berkeley, and the president of that institution, Prof. Benjamin Ide Wheeler, advised those who could do so to leave the place at once, or to shelter themselves in caves, as he believed there would be a repetition of the present seismic disturbances.

Shock at Lompoc

A very severe shock was felt at Lompoc. In a telephone message to The Press early this morning it was announced that the tremor was more violent than the one last Sunday night, but no damage had been reported. The shock occurred at 1:20 oÕclock this morning.

At Santa Barbara

One of the most severe earthquake shocks ever felt in Santa Barbara occurred at 1:20 oÕclock this morning. The vibrations lasted about 10 seconds. Owing to the lateness of the hour it was impossible to learn whether or not any damage was done.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. II, No. 22 (Friday, August 1, 1902).

SANTA BARBARA SUFFERS MORE QUAKES

At 1:20 oÕclock Wednesday night a sharp shock of earthquake was felt at this place, not more than a secondÕs duration, but lacking sufficient force to do any damage. at the same moment Los Alamos and Lompoc were shaken up by a more violent visitation than that of Sunday night, to which reference was made in the Democrat. And even Santa Barbara had some experience.

(descriptions of damage at Lompoc, etc.)

Santa Barbara, July 31 - an earthquake was felt here at 1:20 oÕclock this morning, the tremor lasting 10 seconds.

Santa Barbara Morning Press (Aug. 1, 1902)

EXPERT OPINION ON EARTHQUAKE. concerning the unprecedented severity of the earthquakes in Santa Barbara County, Prof. Christy of the University of California said:

"The western coast of this continent is liable to shocks at any time. Any great contraction of the earthÕs crust on the Pacific Coast may be accompanied by damage."

Prof. Maddrill said: "The strange feature of these shocks is that they are practically localized. The disturbance was scarcely felt at Berkeley. In cases of such severe shocks they are usually felt for hundreds of miles."

Prof. Heaton said: "The theory has been advanced that the removal of great quantities of oil from the earth in Southern CA is responsible for the seismic disturbance. I hardly think this possible, as the oil wells do not penetrate deep enough into the hot regions."

1902

Aug 2

Santa Barbara Morning Press

(Referring to Los Alamos) Yesterday morning there were three shocks, two at 9 oÕclock in quick succession, and another at 11. No damage was caused by them, although time has been taken for further examination of the various buildings, and it is found that the primary school has been moved about a foot to the south, while the grammar school has moved about 6 inches to the east, both buildings being more or less twisted. The weather continues sultry and hot during the day.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. II, No. 23

The earth is still shaking in Santa Barbara County at the latest advises [sic] and the most severe and damaging shake of all occurred at 1:20 yesterday morning, the center of the seismic force being at Los Alamos... A strip of country 15 miles long and 4 miles in width has been rent and torn by the awful tremblors. Great fissures have been made in the earth and the topography of the country changed in many places beyond recognition... (eyewitness accounts follow).

1902

Aug 2

Oxnard Courier, vol. 4, no. 31 (Sat.)

An earthquake shock was felt in Oxnard Thursday morning at 1:45 oÕclock. A number of our citizens were already thrown into a nervous condition on account of the heaving shocks which have been felt in Santa Barbara county the past week. The shock here lasted nearly a minute and was quite severe rattling window fastenings and loose boards like tambos.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. II, No. 24 (Aug 3, 1902).

CONDITIONS EXAGGERATED

Earthquake shocks in a milder form have continued at intervals in the Los Alamos section, but the big scare is practically over. The people who have remained to take stock of the damage find it, as usual, greatly overrated by the reports that have gone out. brick and adobe houses and brick chimneys fared badly, and a good deal of damage was done in the way of destroying goods and household equipments; but the numerous great rents and fissures in the earth and the toppling of hills are largely a myth... and after all the excitement no death or accident has been mentioned.

Oxnard always has the best of it. Our little shock of earthquake Thursday morning wasnÕt "patchin" [sic] for the shake Sugartown got. It lasted nearly 60 seconds, rattled inanimate things around at a line by rate and gave several citizens a sample of the "buck agne".

1902

Aug 4

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 118.

Los Alamos. [There were six shocks on August 4, at 2:05 a.m., 3:18 a.m., 4:15 a.m., 1:29 p.m., 3:40 p.m., and 4:55 p.m. The third and the sixth were the most severe. There was no damage, but then there was nothing much left that could be damaged. - Reid's Scrapbook 2, 25.]

Santa Barbara Morning Press (Aug. 5, 1902)

CITY BRIEFS - EARTHQUAKES.

The epidemic of earthquakes still continues at Los Alamos, although no damage whatever is reported. There were 4 distinct shocks Sunday night and 3 yesterday afternoon, none of them being of any violence to speak of.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. II, No. 25

(Another minor quake at Los Alamos) (Estimation of damage): Plastered walls and chimneys, $2,000; brick buildings, $5,000; oil and tanks of Western Union Oil Co., $5,000; general merchandise stock, $1,200; furniture, chinaware, etc., $300.

1902

Aug 6

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. II, No. 26.

(Continued quakes at Los Alamos; minor)

1902

Aug 9

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 118.

4:00 p.m. Los Alamos. Distinct earthquake detonation and tremor. - San Francisco Call, August 10, 1902.

1902

Aug 10

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 118.

2:40 a.m. Los Alamos. Heavy detonation followed by trembling. - San Francisco Call, August 10, 1902.

2:40 p.m. Santa Barbara. Very severe but did no damage. Another shock during the afternoon and two at night. These were much lighter than the one at 2:40 p.m.

1902

Aug 10

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 118.

2:40 p.m. Santa Barbara. Very severe but did no damage. Another shock during the afternoon and two at night. These were much lighter than the one at 2:40 p.m.

Shocks at both 2:40 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. on the same date would ordinarily arouse suspicion of error, but there were so many shocks near Los Alamos at this time that this seems not unreasonable. - Reid's Scrapbook 2, 25.

1902

Aug 12

Santa Barbara Morning Press

CITY BRIEFS. MORE QUAKES. Two earthquakes were felt at Los Alamos Sunday afternoon, and 2 during the same night. None of them was of sufficient force to cause damage. Mr. Leslie reports that on the Ferrini place, about two and a half miles from Los Alamos, the ground was sunk to a distance of from 3 to 5 feet. He also stated that there are cracks in the earth in many places varying in width from a few inches to a foot and a half.

1902

Aug 14

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 118.

[2:15 a.m., 3:05 a.m., 3:20 a.m., 1:50 p.m., 3:50 p.m. Los Alamos. All slight except the one at 3:20 a.m. This one was said to have shaken the ground violently. - Reid's Scrapbook 2, 26. A and R.

Santa Barbara Morning Press (Aug. 15, 1902)

CITY BRIEFS. MORE QUAKES. The earthquakes continue at Los Alamos, but none of sufficient force to cause damage. In telephoning to the Press last night, Deputy District Attorney Leslie stated that 5 shocks were felt yesterday, 3 in the early morning and 2 in the afternoon, 1 of them being quite severe.

1902

Oct 21

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 119.

[Betwen 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Los Alamos. Three shocks; the first quite severe; duration forth seconds; no damage. Felt also in Lompoc. - Reid's Scrapbook 2, 26. A and R.

1902

Oct 22

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 119.

2 a.m. Los Alamos. Light shock. - Reid's Scrapbook 2, 26.

1902

Dec 12

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 119.

Los Alamos. [VII to VII. All the northern part of Santa Barbara County was again shaken by severe earthquakes in the afternoon of December 12. At Los Alamos there were three shocks in five minutes, but the time was not stated. At Los Alamos dishes and glassware were thrown from shelves and at Santa Maria the walls of a brick school were cracked and plaster fell in many houses, indicating an epicentral intensity of VII to VIII. - San Francisco Call, December 12 or 13, 1902.

Santa Barbara Morning Press (Dec 13, 1902)

CITY BRIEFS. MORE EARTHQUAKES. Los Alamos was visited by several severe shocks of earthquake yesterday, at about 1:30 p.m. None of them was so severe as to cause damage, other than that occasioned by the falling of dishes and glassware from the shelves. Three shocks occurred within 5 minutes. Exaggerated reports were in circulation yesterday as to the amount of damage. There were no further quakes last night. The shocks were felt very slightly in Santa Barbara.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. II, No. 135 (Dec 14, 1902).

LOS ALAMOS SHOOK UP AGAIN Los Alamos, California, Dec. 12 - A severe earthquake was felt here, at Lompoc, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and all towns between, at 1:20 oÕclock today. The first shock lasted 40 seconds, the vibrations being from north to south and knocking down small shelf goods in some stores. Five lighter quakes occurred within half an hour. The first shake is said to be the hardest felt at Lompoc this year. It was also very severe at the Western Union oil wells.

1903

Aug 24

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 121.

Los Olivos.

Santa Barbara Morning Press (Aug. 25, 1903)

CITY BRIEFS. SHOCK AT LOS ALAMOS. Los Alamos experienced another earthquake yesterday morning. The shock was quite severe and lasted half a minute, but did no damage to speak of. One brick building was badly shaken and cracked. The oil wells in the vicinity were not damaged.

1904

Jan 22 and 23

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 122.

Los Alamos.

Santa Barbara Morning Press (Tues)

CITY BRIEFS. MORE EARTHQUAKES. A. Leslie, the earthquake expert of Los Alamos, is in town on official business as deputy district attorney. He reports three quakes of unusual duration, but not severe, Friday night and early Sat. morning.

1904

May 1

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 123.

10:30 a.m. IV. Los Angeles, Ventura. [The earthquake was described as "severe" at Ventura, which would surely call for an intensity greater than IV. It was more likely V or possibly VI. - Reid's Scrapbook 2, 31.]

Santa Barbara Morning Press (May 3, 1904)

CITY BRIEFS. EARTHQUAKE. A distinct earthquake was felt by many residents of the city Sunday morning at about 10:30 oÕclock. The vibrations, which were from east to west and lasted several seconds, were very noticeable to those who happened to be sitting or standing still at the time. They were not severe enough to be noticed by anyone walking or riding.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. III, No. 238

A slight earthquake shock was felt here yesterday morning, at about 10:25 oÕclock. Religious services were in progress at the Old Mission and many rushed from the building when the quake came. No damage was done and the tremblor was so slight that many towns people not even [sic] noticed it.

1904

Oct 15

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 124.

Los Angeles. Light shock. Santa Barbara, Sierra Madre.

The Santa Barbara Morning Press.

Los Angeles, felt in Santa Barbara. Article.

1905

Mar 18

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 126.

8:40 p.m. [VI. Bakersfield. Three shocks in quick succession. The shocks are said to have been heavier at McKittrick and Sunset oil fields. The flow of oil wells was increased.

McAdie lists shocks on this date at Isabella and Wasco, Kern County, and at Nordhoff, Ventura Co. The name Nordhoff was changed to Ojai in 1916. - San Francisco Chronicle, March 24, 1905. R and A.]

The Morning Press (Mar. 19, 1905)

BREVITIES. SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE. A slight earthquake shock was felt in this city at 8:27 oÕclock last night.

1905

Dec 24

The Morning Press

BREVITIES. SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here yesterday afternoon. No damage was done.

1906

Apr 18

0513 hrs

Referring to the great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire

The Morning Press (Wednesday, April 18, 1906)

"LOCAL EARTHQUAKE"

The terrible earthquake that has demolished the business district of San Francisco was felt very perceptibly all over this city. The first shock at 5 o'clock this morning ws the most severely felt here. People in all parts of the city were awakened. Houses trembled and shook for several minutes. The first shock continued for about ten minutes. Residents left their beds and found chairs rocking, dishes clattering, pictures rattling against the walls and many strange sounds were made by the shaking of buildings.

The Morning Press (Apr 19, 1906)

BREVITIES. SHOOK WATER OUT. W. R. Edwards reports that the earthquake was so strong in Upper Montecito that from 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water was shaken out of the big reservoir on his ranch.

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. 5, No. 244 (Apr 19, 1906).

1. At Santa Barbara: A dispatch from Santa Barbara says: "Earthquake felt with force here by most residents of city, but no serious damage. The two big town clocks were stopped. "Coast line impassable between Salinas and San Francisco freight train shaken from track; one bridge has fallen and track covered by landslide." It was reported at the depot here that a section of Santa Marguerita tunnel has collapsed.

2. In this city: The shock here was noted by many, but caused no damage or alarm. The vibrations shook up one of the large oil tanks near the depot, causing a loss of nearly 100 barrels of oil which was thrown over the side in the agitation.

Oxnard Courier, vol. 8, no. 16 (Apr 20, 1906)

- part of article about San Francisco earthquake - A slight shock was felt in Oxnard at 5:15 Wednesday morning, simultaneously with the catastrophe in the north. A second shock was felt here at noon yesterday

Santa Maria Times (Saturday, April 21, 1906)

Another Quiver Here. Several reported that there was another eathquake shock in this city last evening. At the San Luis Hot Sulphur Springs it was rumored that there was a tidal wavbe at El Pizmo and many families prepared to flee from their homes to come to this city.

San Francisco in Ruins and Ashes. The earthquake was passed off as a joke by the greater portion of the people of Santa Maria. Its rumblings were of duration sufficient to convince all who heard and felt it that Nature was exerting herself.

The Morning Press (May 3, 1906)

OUR EARTHQUAKE RECORD IS GOOD. C. M. Gidney, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, is making an exhaustive investigation into the earthquake record of Santa Barbara. He has gone all over the old records that gave details of the early days of the city and has been looking back over the statistics of weather and temperature, besides talking with the oldest residents in regard to former quakes in this city.

"The result of this research has been," said Mr. Gidney, "that I am unable to find that there has ever been an earthquake during the history of this settlement that caused any loss of life or damage to property. This city is not, nor from what I can discover, never has been in more danger from earthquakes than any other city in the country."

1906

Dec 6

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 143.

10:40 p.m. San Luis Obispo. Duration thirty seconds; from north to south. A second shock half an hour later. Felt also in Santa Maria.

The Morning Press (Dec. 7, 1906)

EARTHQUAKE IN SAN LUIS OBISPO

OTHER TOWNS IN THE SAME VICINITY TREMBLED, BUT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE ANYWHERE.

San Luis Obispo, California, Dec. 7 - At 10:40 oÕclock last night this city experienced an earthquake which lasted more than 30 seconds. The shock was from the north to south. Half an hour later, a second shock was felt, but was not so pronounced as the first.

The quake was also felt at Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Cayucos and Cambria. At the latter place articles were shaken from shelves. No perceptible damage was sustained here.

1907

Jul 28

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 145.

9:10 p.m. Pine Crest, Santa Barbara Co. Slight. - WB Form 1009.

The Morning Press (Jul 29, 1907)

EARTHQUAKE IS FELT HERE. At exactly 7 minutes after 9 last night, Santa Barbara and vicinity experienced one of the sharpest earthquake shocks that has ever been felt here. While of short duration, the quake was severe in some parts of the city, although no damage has been reported as the result.

Telegraphic reports show that this shock was confined to Santa Barbara and immediate vicinity, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo and the up- county town of Gaviota and Santa Maria not experiencing the shock.

Reports from Goleta state that the quake was very sharp there, and broken windows and tumbled sheds are the result.

The Morning Press (Jul 30, 1907).

NO DAMAGE AT GOLETA. REPORT INJURY BY RECENT QUAKE IS INDIGNANTLY DENIED BY PEOPLE OF TOWN. Goleta is very much exorcised over the report that damage was occasioned in that locality by the slight quake of Saturday night. The Goleta correspondent of the Press made it his business to institute careful inquiries from one end of the valley to the other, without being able to trace a single item of damage caused by the tremblor.

The inhabitants state that their region has always been singularly free from quakes, and no damage from this cause has taken place within the memory of the oldest inhabitant.

Mr. Cook, the representative of this paper, by sleuth-like investigation, discovered that a chicken coop caught fire in a Mr. ByerÕs ranch Saturday night, but deprecates any attempt to connect this catastrophe with the mighty forces of nature. Even Rome burned once!

Ventura Daily Democrat, Vol. 4, No. 75 (Jul 30, 1907).

An earthquake shock, occurring a few minutes after 9 oÕclock Saturday night, is reported from Santa Barbara. It is represented by those who felt it, to have been quite a jolt, so pronounced in fact as to almost create a panic in the Potter Theatre, in which it is said several women fainted. If the tremblor shook the soil hereabouts, we have failed to find anyone who detected the movement. The whole Democrat force, from the a ______(?) down, was earning its salary in the usual way at that precise hour, and it would seem only natural, if old mother had proceeded to get her back up, the some of the bunch would have trembled at the situation.

1907

Oct 6

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 147.

About 8 p.m. San Miguel Island. Santa Barbara Co. WB form 1009. ( We find no reports of this earthquake from the mainland. Ed.)

1907

Dec 27

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 148.

1:15 a.m. Santa Barbara. "A light earthquake shock was felt here at 1:15 this morning. The shock was also felt at Ventura." - Press dispatch.

Reported from Pine Crest, near Santa Barbara, as "slight earthquake shock at 1:30 a.m.; from Ojai, Ventura Co., as sharp at 1:25 a.m. - WB Form 1009.

1909

Jan 23

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 152.

6:58 a.m. Santa Barbara and Pine Crest. Slight at Pine Crest. - WB Form 1009.

The Weekly Press

MOTHER EARTH STRETCHES. Those who failed to heed their alarm clocks yesterday morning were given a gentle reminder from above - or below - in the shape of an interesting young earthquake, which beat out the town clocks a few seconds on the stoke of 7. It was not a shock, but a tremble, as if Mother Earth were stretching to get awake and did no harm except to the feelings of the alarm clocks.

The Lompoc Record, vol. 34, no. 40 (Friday, Jan 29, 1909).

EARTHQUAKE FELT SATURDAY MORNING. At about 7 oÕclock Saturday morning an earthquake shock occurred that seemed to last for several seconds. It came with sufficient force to shake up things generally but not hard enough to cause any damage.

1909

Apr 10

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 153.

Santa Paula Canyon, Ventura Co. A sensational item in the San Francisco Chronicle of April 25, 1909, stated that an earthquake had caused a great slide in Santa Paula Canyon, blocking the drainage and creating a lake. Santa Paula Canyon is in the Coast Ranges of Ventura Co., not in the Sierra as the item stated, and the slide, which did occur, followed extremely heavy spring rains and seems to have been caused by them. No shock was reported in the nearby places at this time, although the Weather Bureau received a report of a shock at Mono Ranch (Santa Barbara County).

1909

Jul 2

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 154.

"After 11 pm Santa Barbara and Montecito. Sharp, short, from north to south. - San Francisco Chronicle, July 4, 1909.

1909

Jul 4

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 154.

10:10 p.m. III. Santa Barbara. - WB Form 1009.

1909

Jul 16

0228

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 154.

2:28 a.m. Santa Barbara. Heavy. - WB Form 1009. Reid lists as felt at Los Angeles as well as Santa Barbara, giving intensity as III to IV but not stating to which place the intensity estimate applies. In Reid's Scrapbook 2, 157, a dispatch from Santa Barbara gives the time as 1:28 a.m.

1909

July 31

1137

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 154.

11:37 a.m. IV? Santa Barbara. Two slight shocks. Ojai, Ventura Co., slight. - WB Form 1009.

Reid, on the basis of a letter from Weather Observer G. W. Russell, estimates the intensity at Santa Barbara as IV.

Ventura Weekly Democrat, Vol. 25, No. 48 (Friday, Aug 6, 1909)

Although the quake (at Saturday July 31) was extremely severe here and was strongly felt at Santa Barbara, not a tremor was perceptible at Oxnard, at least so says the Courier. Possibly Sugartown has no feeling for earthquake shocks.

DECISIVE EARTHQUAKE SHOCK STIRS UP VENTURA PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTY. Shock sufficient to shake buildings and startle the occupants -- Vibrations too brief for the Quake and Fear to Occur Simultaneously.

At 11:36 yesterday morning (Saturday July 31 ( this article taken from Sunday previous paper) Ventura was visited by a severe earthquake shock of very brief, but decisive duration. The vibrations were from north to south, and during the visitation of the tremblor many buildings felt the force of the subterranean disturbance and were shaken upon their foundations with the playful ease displayed by a terrier in shaking a rat.

The writer was at the court house sitting at a desk, and when the mighty uplifting came it seemed as if the building tilted on its foundation at least 4 inches, but the vibrations lasted less than a second and when it wall all over several of the officials and their lady assistants sought safety outside.

Judge Clark was in his chambers wrestling with ponderous legal questions and the shock scattered his reflections, for the instant, beyond recall,... Earl Moss, the court reporter, who was in the library room, thought a bevy of lady friends was storming the door for admission, but when his typewriter lifted up and swiped him on the nasal appendage, be realized that he had been mixed up with the angry forces of nature... The tiles on the little structure in Las Palmas park grated together most audibly... In so many homes pictures and bric-a-brac were thrown from walls and shelves, and people from all over the city ran from their homes in great alarm although hardly realizing what had happened...

It was by far the most severe shock felt here in many years and that it terminated without damage is a most fortunate circumstance.

(No mention of Santa Barbara or other areas)

Oxnard Courier, Vol. 11, no. 32 (Friday, Aug 6, 1909)

The earthquake that shook Ventura on Saturday noon of last week was not felt in Oxnard. The shock was felt in Santa Barbara, however, although it was not as severe as at Ventura.

1910

May 13

Oxnard Courier, Vol. 12, no. 20 (Friday May 20, 1910)

From MondayÕs daily. An earthquake jarred Oxnard Sunday morning at 7:44 oÕclock, but no damage has been reported. the tremblor was of wavelike motion, from south to north. The quake was felt in various sections of southern California.

1910

Nov 19

The Morning Press (Sunday, Nov. 20, 1910, p. 8).

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK HERE LAST NIGHT. Two sharp earthquake shocks were felt in this city last night at 10:55. Persons walking on the streets did not notice the motion, but in the buildings, especially in the second and third stories, the shake was unmistakable. Many people were awakened by the rocking of their beds. There was no damage of any nature, so far as reported, and The Press heard from every section of the city.

The shock was not felt to any degree in any other part of the state so far as the Associated Press could learn last night.

1910

Nov 28

The Morning Press (Tuesday, Nov 29, 1910).

A slight shock of earthquake was felt in this city yesterday morning shortly before 7 oÕclock. There was no damage.

The Morning Press ( Dec. 1, 1910)

Crack discovered in the wall of building may have been from above earthquake.

1910

Dec 3

BSSA, Vol. 29, no. 1, p. 160.

6:07 p.m. San Diego. Weather Bureau reported a shock lasting two or three seconds, not strong enough to crack plaster. An Associated Press dispatch carried a story that the shock was felt throughou southern California south of San Luis Obispo, but no confirmation can be secured anywhere except at San Diego, where the paper stated that the shock was local to that city. No paper in any other California city mentioned the shock as felt locally. WB records, San Francisco, Reid's Scrapbook 3, 106.

The Morning Press (Dec. 4, 1910, p. 1)

SLIGHT EARTHQUAKE IS FELT THROUGHOUT SOUTH. San Francisco Dec. 3 - An earthquake shock of slight intensity, causing no damage, was felt at various places in California south of San Luis Obispo shortly after 6 oÕclock this morning according to reports received by United States weather bureau in this city.