Located in the Santa Barbara waterfront area at 113 Harbor Way , the '' ' Naval Reserve Center Santa Barbara ' '' , originally known as the Naval Reserve Armory , was built for the Navy by the Federal Government 's Works Project Administration ( WPA ) . In 1939 the City of Santa Barbara had deeded the land to the Navy with the customary $ 1.00 payment to make the contract legal . The City transferred the land to the Navy because city leaders and many others in the community felt strongly that a Naval Reserve Armory would be beneficial to Santa Barbara . Local Reservists had already used their Navy training to help their community in many ways - from aiding in recovery efforts following a disastrous earthquake , to participating in neighborhood improvement efforts and a variety of other community activities . The City Fathers also believed that the building itself , with its large assembly hall and classrooms , could be of benefit to the community . This proved to be true ; in 1958 the Center 's commanding officer reported " In a disaster the Naval Reserve Center is equipped to aid in civil defense . It has a stand-by generator capable of supplying sufficient power to operate its shop , radio station , and the Reserve Center itself , if the shore power should be cut off . A dispensary and a large area where cots can be place for disaster victims is available . " Over the years facilities at the Naval Reserve Center were used by Santa Barbara City College , UC Santa Barbara , youth groups , a high-level scientific conference , and for numerous other activities of benefit to the community . It was also the home of Santa Barbara 's first maritime museum , the Santa Barbara Naval and Maritime Museum , founded in 1982 by Lieutenant Commander Douglas Stouffer , commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Center
disastrous earthquake
1925 Santa Barbara earthquake
Naval Reserve Center Santa Barbara