History
Originally, water from Sycamore Creek drained into the lake. However, in the 1880s the construction of a railroad through the area blocked off the inflow of water. In the 1870s and early 1880s, Bradley's Race Track surrounded the lake.
In the 1920s, Santa Barbara restored the site for the purpose of providing a refuge for wild birds that are migrating through or permanently residing in the area.
In 1928, Huguette M. Clark, owner of the Clark Estate across from the salt pond, agreed to donate $50,000 to excavate the pond and create an artificial freshwater lake. Clark stipulated that the facility would be named Andree Clark Bird Refuge after her dead sister. Both Clark sisters were daughters of "Copper King" William A. Clark. The Clarks donated more money in 1930 to complete the work modeled after Ralph Stevens' plans.
The refuge is within the East Cabrillo Boulevard Parkway Historic District.
Read more about this topic: Andree Clark Bird Refuge
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“It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature.”
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