What Did Mission Santa Barbara Produce? Crops, Livestock, and Crafts

Mission Santa Barbara (founded 1786, "Queen of the Missions") was a diversified agricultural and craft operation. Output sustained the mission community (1,500+ neophytes at peak), the presidio, and trade.

Agriculture

• Grains: Wheat, barley, corn (maize), beans — staples.
• Viticulture: Grapes → wine (sacramental + table), brandy. ~4,000 vines by 1830.
• Orchards: Olives (oil), figs, pears, apples, pomegranates, citrus.
• Vegetables: Peas, lentils, garlic, onions, chiles, squash.
• Irrigation: 2-mile stone aqueduct (zanja) from Mission Creek — still partially visible.

Livestock

• Cattle: 10,000+ head (peak). Hides + tallow = primary export (Boston ships, "California hide trade").
• Sheep: 15,000+ (wool for weaving).
• Horses/Mules: 1,000+ (transport, vaquero culture).
• Goats, pigs, poultry.

Crafts & Industry

• Weaving: Wool → blankets, serapes, clothing. Looms in workshops.
• Leatherwork: Saddles, boots, harnesses, reatas (lariats).
• Soap & Candles: Tallow-based. Major export item.
• Blacksmithing: Tools, hardware, horseshoes, branding irons.
• Carpentry/Construction: Adobe, tile, timber — built mission, presidio, pueblo.
• Gristmill: Water-powered (Mission Creek) — ground grain for region.

Trade Network

Ships (Boston, Liverpool, Canton) anchored at Gaviota/Refugio → loaded hides/tallow/soap → returned with manufactured goods (tools, textiles, china, tea). Mission served as warehouse and credit hub for the region.

Secularized 1834. Lands granted to private ranchos. Church retained only buildings. Today: active parish, museum, archive — and still makes olive oil from descendant trees.