Description
The James Osborne Craig papers span 3.5 linear feet and date from circa 1918 to circa 1923, with one item dating from 2007.
The collection is comprised of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of Craig’s sketches, and drawings for architectural
projects; presentation and concept drawings for the design, restoration, and remodeling of buildings in Santa Barbara, Montecito,
Carpinteria, Pasadena, and Palm Springs. Projects include the Bernhard Hoffmann residence and El Paseo, which was an extenstion
to the original Case de la Guerra adobe property.
Background
James Osborne Craig was born in Barrhead (a suburb of Glasgow), Scotland in 1888. After studying architecture briefly at The
Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College in Glasgow, he left Scotland for America in 1905 at the age of 16. He worked
for a time in Colorado Springs, Colorado, traveled and studied architecture in Europe, and settled in Flagstaff, Arizona in
1914. In 1916 James Osborne Craig moved to Santa Barbara. His most notable works in Santa Barbara include the Bernhard Hoffmann
house and guest cottages, as well as El Paseo and the restoration of the Oreña Adobe. James Osborne was married to Mary McLaughlin
Craig, a designer, who assisted him throughout their marriage and helped to complete his unfinished commissions after his
death. James Osborne Craig died suddenly in Ojai, California of bronchial pneumonia at the age of 33. At the time of his death
he was working on numerous projects, including plans for the restoration of de la Guerra Plaza.
Extent
3.5 Linear feet
(1/2 record storage box and 15 flat file folders)
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers.