"and they beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." —Isaiah 2:4
These words from the Book of Isaiah serve as a fitting introduction to the successful effort by the Santa Barbara Unified School District to acquire the National Guard Armory on Canon Perdido Street, immediately between Santa Barbara High School and Santa Barbara Junior High. This opportunity will create the largest, continuous, single public education site within the City of Santa Barbara, stretching five blocks north to south from Anapamu to Cota Street, and three blocks east to west from Milpas to Olive Street.
The Armory will serve our community for decades — perhaps centuries — to come. Santa Barbara High School has been located on its current site since 1924, and Santa Barbara Junior High School on its site since 1932. There is no reason why in 2110 or 2115 children will not use the existing Armory site as they now use Santa Barbara High School and Santa Barbara Junior High.