#192 F.&A.M.
Grand Master's Visit Saturday April 12th.
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Santa Barbara Masonic Lodge
16 East Carrillo Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 966-4502
The first Freemason in recorded history to visit the Santa Barbara area was English botanist Sir Joseph Banks in 1793. He was on a voyage with British Naval Captain George Vancouver as part of his exploration of the Pacific. This was the same year George Washington laid the cornerstone of the US capital building in a Masonic Ceremony.
Bro. Banks noted he found the small town of Santa Barbara to be more civilized and beautiful than any other of the Spanish coastal settlements he had visited. He remarked that most of the ceramic tableware used by those living at the Presidio and Mission were made in England.
In 1846 war was declared between the United States and Mexico. On July 7 of that year, Masonic Brother, Commodore John D. Sloat, Commander-in-chief of the United States naval forces in the Pacific Ocean, came ashore at the Presidio of Monterey and raised the flag of the United States over California.
On August 4-5, Commodore Robert Field Stockton, commander of American forces in California, anchored at Santa Barbara and captured the town leaving a small garrison in charge. Commodore Stockton’s grandfather, Richard Stockton, was a Freemason who signed the Declaration of Independence.
After Commodore Stockson’s departure his garrison was captured by Mexican forces on October 2nd. On December 27th, Major John C. Fremont lead American reinforcements over Gaviota pass to Santa Barbara and recaptured the town. The American flag was first raised in Santa Barbara that day.
Commodore Stockton was instrumental in taking California from Mexico at The Battle of Rio San Gabriel and The Battle of La Mesa. He served as the first military governor of California and later became a Senator of New Jersey like his father and grandfather before him.