The Old West
The Cold Spring Tavern is located on a stretch of Stagecoach Road right off Highway 154. The road was one of the main routes connecting Santa Barbara with the county's rural area across the Santa Ynez Mountains. Native Americans have lived in the Santa Barbara area for over 10,000 years and when traveling most likely used the San Marcos Pass. The earliest recorded mention of the pass was in the early 19th century as the connection between Mission Santa Barbara and its farm at Ranch San Marcos in the Santa Ynez Valley.
John C. Fremont and his troops traveled the pass during the Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848) on their way south from Montery to Los Angeles. The San Marcos Pass was used infrequently in the 1850s but by the late 1860s the demand had grown for improved roadways between Santa Barbara and areas to the north. Mr. Llewellyn Bixby and others incorporated the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Turnpike Road Company in 1868 and operated a stagecoach company that provided passenger service and carried mail under contract. The turnpike company completed construction on the San Marcos Pass Road by 1870. The Cold Spring Tavern began operating as a stage stop soon after and is still operating as a restaurant today. The horse drawn stage line ceased operation in 1901.
Motorized vehicles took the place of the stagecoaches and so passed one of the most romantic eras of our American history. The Cold Spring Tavern remains as a symbol of that era and it is our intention to see that it remains that way.
John C. Fremont and his troops traveled the pass during the Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848) on their way south from Montery to Los Angeles. The San Marcos Pass was used infrequently in the 1850s but by the late 1860s the demand had grown for improved roadways between Santa Barbara and areas to the north. Mr. Llewellyn Bixby and others incorporated the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Turnpike Road Company in 1868 and operated a stagecoach company that provided passenger service and carried mail under contract. The turnpike company completed construction on the San Marcos Pass Road by 1870. The Cold Spring Tavern began operating as a stage stop soon after and is still operating as a restaurant today. The horse drawn stage line ceased operation in 1901.
Motorized vehicles took the place of the stagecoaches and so passed one of the most romantic eras of our American history. The Cold Spring Tavern remains as a symbol of that era and it is our intention to see that it remains that way.