THE LEGACY OF THE SANTA BARBARA ZOO
The Santa Barbara Zoo boasts a rich history that not only showcases its commitment to wildlife conservation but also pays homage to its roots as the legacy of Lillian Child, who selflessly transformed the land it now rests upon from an estate into a cherished community treasure.
Photo from Noozhawk
Lillian Child
The story of the Santa Barbara Zoo begins with Lillian Child, a woman of not only remarkable beauty and social standing, but also a passion for her community. Born in 1866 in New England, she had been a well-known figure in New York’s elite society before her separation from her husband prompted a move to Santa Barbara.
Photo from USGenWeb Archives
She began a new life on the Californian coast, where she met John Beale, whom she married in 1906. Ten years prior, John had journeyed from Pasadena to Santa Barbara. Here he discovered the perfect plot of land to build his dream estate, which he called “Vegamar”, meaning Star of the Sea. He was immediately taken with Lillian, and their union made national news. They enjoyed life together on the estate, both actively engaged in the community and hosting a variety of events on some of the finest land in Santa Barbara. Beale passed in 1914, leaving everything to Lillian.
VEGAMAR
Photo from Santa Maria Times
After many challenging years fighting off lawsuits that resulted from the decisions in Beale’s will, in addition to her continued community involvement and assistance with US WWI efforts, Lillian met John H. Child. They married in 1921, and split their time between New York and the Vegamar, which soon became known as “The Child Estate” with Mr. Child’s passing in 1931. Throughout their marriage, they remained prominent individuals in the Montecito community, and Lillian continued her community work, increasing her efforts even more so during times of war.
With her husband’s passing leaving her a widow once more, she dedicated her time to helping others, even providing homes for Japanese families that had been interned during WWII. During the Great Depression, homeless individuals sought refuge on Lillian's property, primarily elderly, and she extended a welcoming hand. This community became known as "Childville."
Photo from Montecito Journal
After first offering her estate to the University of California in 1944 with many stipulations, Lillian ultimately decided to leave the Child Estate to the Santa Barbara Foundation in 1947 for public welfare, with the intent of promoting park, educational, cultural, and recreational uses in order to ensure the land continue to be dedicated to the benefit of her beloved community.
Photo from Noozhawk
Lillian continued to live alone on her estate until her passing in 1951, although she continued to provide shelter to the many homeless who resided on her estate, all while protecting them from external complaints. Shortly after, the property was granted to the city of Santa Barbara. In 1963, Lillian's dream of making her estate available for public use became a reality, with a modest collection of animals that evolved into the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, now considered one of the nation's finest small zoos.
