This Trail is a County of Santa Barbara Designated Landmark
Rattlesnake Canyon was named Las Canoas by the Mission padres because of the dam and aqueduct system constructed along the creek by Chumash laborers in 1808. The Spanish word canoa has multiple meanings and, in this case, means “pipe” or “conduit.” Remnants of the dam have survived into the 21st century.
During the American period, the canyon lands were open to homesteading and some interesting characters took up claims. Probably the most famous of these was William O’Connell. Since patent law required that he build a structure and improve the land, he gathered hundreds of empty five-gallon kerosene cans, flattened them into shingles, loaded them onto his mule, and took off for what today is known as “The Meadow.” Using ceanothus limbs for the frame, he cobbled together the whimsical Tin Can Shack. It was a popular destination for local hikers and riders until a disastrous fire in 1925 destroyed it.
In 1900, in the ever-increasing search for an adequate water supply, a water tunnel (adit) was drilled into the side of the canyon on homesteader John Stewart’s place, and it was already flowing at a rate of 10,000 gallons a day by December of that year.
In 1902, the Chamber of Commerce built a scenic trail to La Cumbre Peak, which connected midway with Rattlesnake Canyon. They also lobbied to return the name of Rattlesnake Canyon to the less ominous Las Canoas. Today, the Chamber of Commerce/La Cumbre Trail lies beneath Gibraltar Road, but in 1902, hikers were encouraged to travel up through Rattlesnake Canyon to a spur which led to Gibraltar Rock.
In 1928, Ray Skofield bought up the lands of Rattlesnake Canyon. He was a founder of Los Rancheros Visitadores, and his lands became a staging site for the annual ride. He began construction of a house on the eastern ridge, which was never completed, and in 1947 it was sold and became an Episcopal monastery, which burned in the Tea Fire in 2008.
Back in 1931, Ray’s son Hobart came for a two-week visit and stayed 53 years. He became the unofficial guardian of Rattlesnake Canyon during the Depression. He maintained trails, mended fences and gates and removed illegal campers. In 1964, the Coyote Fire laid waste to the canyon. Hobart had considered subdividing the land for houses, but after the fire, various groups and individuals were successful in convincing him to preserve it as parkland and stepped forward to make it happen. Continuing stewardship over the years by the Boy Scouts, Sierra Club, and trail organizations has ensured that Santa Barbarans have access to this beautiful canyon, which fulfills a compelling human need for nature. (Hattie Beresford)
Sources: https://.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=236028, interpretive sign at Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens; “Rattlesnake Canyon” by Hattie Beresford, Montecito Journal, 19 March 2009.