Telephone poles prop up the walls at the Santa Barbara Telephone Co., at 34 W. De la Guerra St., after the 1925 earthquake. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
Mass was being held at the Santa Barbara Mission when the 1925 earthquake struck. Amid the deafening noise and intensifying shaking, several statues were catapulted from their pedestals, and about 15 parishioners began running for the exit. The Rev. Augustine Hobrecht warned worshippers the towers were crumbling and stopped them from leaving, saving their lives. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
This house was knocked 3 feet off its foundation by the powerful quake. Chimneys on nearly every house in town were toppled by the shaking. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
Exterior walls and parts of the roof of the Santa Barbara Public Library crumbled. This view is seen from the roof of the post office. Red Cross tents can be seen in the left foreground. The courthouse dome and the Riviera are in the background. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
The Hotel Californian was built on marshland; it had opened just one week before the quake. Some of the guests tied sheets together to lower themselves to the ground after the shaking stopped. Miraculously, there were no serious injuries. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum.) 
The foundation of the Potter Theater had been built in a low-lying area at 233 State St. on top of artificial fill. The 3 1/3-story brick-and-wood structure was one of the older buildings in the city at the time of the 1925 earthquake. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
More than 400 large commercial and government buildings were damaged in the quake, including the McCay Building at State and De la Guerra streets; Rexall Drugs, at 736 State St.; and the American Legion Building, at 800-808 State. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, at the northeast corner of State and Figueroa streets, was heavily damaged. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
The county Hall of Records at Anacapa and Figueroa streets was damaged. The county courthouse dome appears in the background. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
Two people died when the facade of the Grand Hotel fell off at 428-432 State St. On the first floor of the building was a barbershop; the Brown Mug Café at 430 State St.; and Acre Dye Works. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
Prisoners were heard screaming in the county jail at Anacapa and Figueroa streets as the east wall and second floor of the county jail collapsed in the quake. They were immediately evacuated from the building, and most of the prisoners held on minor charges were paroled. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
The chimney at a home at 2013 Anacapa St. sheared off at the roofline and rolled down the roof. The rear of the Granada Building can be seen at right. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
The Santa Barbara Lighthouse collapsed on the Mesa bluffs during the quake. It was the oldest landmark on the Pacific Coast. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
The quake caused the Sheffield Dam to crack apart, sending 45 million gallons of water rushing toward East Beach. Fish were left flopping in an empty reservoir. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
The San Marcos Building at State and Anapamu streets pancaked in the quake. It had been built in two sections at different times. A gap existed between the older structure on Anapamu and the new section on the corner; they may have knocked against each other in the shaking. Two people were killed here. (Photo courtesy of the Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical Museum) 
This part of the San Marcos Building was completely rebuilt after the 1925 quake. (Photo by Carl Perry/Special for the Santa Barbara News-Press)
Melinda Burns is an investigative reporter with over 40 years of experience covering topics of immigration, water, science and environment. She was previously senior reporter for the News-Press during a 21-year career from 1985-2006. More by Melinda Burns • Special for the Santa Barbara News-Press
