One of Southern California's most prominent example of roadside vernacular architecture -- Carpinteria's fat Santa statue -- is a supervisorial decision away from becoming a memory. The new owner of the Santa Claus Lane property plans to destroy the recently renovated landmark "in order to create an upscale Cape Cod-style retail strip to service the conspicuous tastes of new residents to the community," according to a press release from Santa supporters.

Public comments on the preservation policies for the historic Santa Claus building were preempted at the June 5 Santa Barbara County Supervisor's hearing and will be heard on Monday, June 25 at a special all-day hearing. Meanwhile, the owner of the historic property has filed for a demolition permit with the County of Santa Barbara Planning and Development Dept. to knock down the historic figure. The owner is reported to have hired his own "historic consultant," and may be trying to cut a deal to donate the statue to the American Sign Museum -- but preservationists predict the fragile chickenwire and plaster figure will fall apart.

The Santa Claus figure which sits atop Santa's Candy Kitchen on Santa Claus Lane, along Highway 101, has entertained travelers and locals since 1948, when the figure was added to a roadside juice stand. Throughout the 1950s, Santa Claus Lane grew into a Christmas-themed roadside attraction, complete with rooftop reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, miniature train, shell shop, soda fountain, restaurants, refrigerated North Pole, and a Post Office. Until the 1970s locals would get their Christmas cards postmarked "Santa Claus, California."

Santa activist Laura Funkhouser writes: "This is a clear example of a small group of extremely wealthy people trying to orchestrate the demise of a major public history and cultural landmark."

Letters in support of preserving Santa Claus at Santa Claus Lane should be addressed to: Supervisor Naomi Schwartz, 1st District, 105 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Send before June 20.

February 10, 2012

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