Guide to the Santa Barbara California photographs: California Floral Festival Parade SC 1152

Title: Santa Barbara, California photographs: California Floral Festival Parade

Identifier/Call Number: SC 1152

Contributing Institution: UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 0.02 linear feet (1 folder)

Date: 1891

Abstract: Group of six cabinet card photographs of the Santa Barbara California Floral Festival Parade, Santa Barbara California, 1891.

Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library

The collection is open for research.

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Research Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Research Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

[Identification of Item], Santa Barbara California photographs: California Floral Festival Parade, SC 1152. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Library purchase, 2014.

Group of six cabinet card photographs of the Santa Barbara California Floral Festival Parade, Santa Barbara California, 1891. Images include: image of a 'saint' in a flowered bower being towed down the dirt street, crowd on both sides viewing, also in middle ground is a line of mounted horsemen in white; tall posts line the parade route and just visible is a small oval sign with "Santa Barbara Floral Festival '89"; a scene in front of viewing stand with gaily caparisoned 'armored knight' on horse bedecked with flowers, other skilled horseman galloping by, bass drum player marching in the opposite direction, rapt viewers in the stands, very well-dressed; an image roughly in front of the same area, with cowboy heading a float with passengers, towed by two large oxen, all suitably flowered; another float being pulled by a team of horses that appears to carry a flowered version of the California bear mascot, all done in mossy branches and flower-decked; a small two-wheeled 'float' of chariot shape, being towed by what appears to be a goat and man in white and apparently of great amusement to the crowd, which contains a photographer with box camera in front, the road strewn with flowers; and a view of what appears to be the bell tower of the Mission San Gabriel in Los Angeles. Research indicates that then-President Benjamin Harrison was in attendance at this flower festival in Santa Barbara and may indeed be visible in the stands - more information on his visit and a description of the parade and festive environment may be found in the Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United States: A Complete Collection of His Public Addresses, "...The reception at Santa Barbara was the most unique that the presidential party experienced on their trip, and also one of the most enjoyable; it was a veritable flower carnival. Leading the procession was a Spanish cavalcade commanded by Carlos de la Guerra. The President's escort was a cavalcade of children marshaled by Mrs. Schermer- horn, with flower-decked saddles and bridles; then followed over 100 flower-trimmed equipages, each displaying a different design and flower and bespeaking the marvelous flora of Santa Barbara in the month of April. The stand from whence the President reviewed the procession and witnessed the Battle of Flowers was a floral triumph..."; no photographer or studio noted. [From dealer's description.]