LARCO, Sebastian A.
LARCO, Sebastian A. (1870-1959), San Francisco-born oldest child of beloved local fisherman Andre Larco. His parents moved to Santa Barbara the year he was born. Sebastian was considered “father of Santa Barbara’s fishing fleet” following in his father’s footsteps. He was the oldest of eleven Larco children, and his many Santa Barbara-born brothers and sisters would sell sacks of crawfish [lobsters] around town for 50 cents, and a 12-pound sea bass for a nickel. Sebastian Larco was one of the first fishermen to buy a gasoline-engine boat just after the turn of the century. Helen Caire reported: “Craw- fishermen employed by the Larco Brothers, well-known fish dealers in Santa Barbara, had permits from the Santa Cruz Island Company to work from certain coves [Caire: 142]. In 1905, Sebastian Larco built a cut-stone building for the family’s State Street fish market. In the heyday of the Larco family fishing business, the company had a fleet of 12 fishing boats.
In 1930, the Farallone Fisheries machine shop barge was built by one of the Larco brothers, and this floating machine shop kept the Larco fleet in operating order. In the early 1940s, Sebastian Larco sold out his fleet of diesel-engine boats which he had built up from a lone 20-foot yawl, to the Borden Milk Company, which in turn changed the Larco Fish Company name to Farallon Fisheries.
In a 1949 interview, Sebastian Larco said of the 1880s and 1890s: “You betcha there were plenty of fish in those days.” He recalled when sharks and swordfish were worthless, and when people could catch large fish at the foot of Chapala Street. By 1951 the former Larco fleet had shrunk to seven boats, and by March 6, 1959 there were only two. Sebastian Larco was well known for his two pet pelicans, Jim, whom he rescued from a fish net at Santa Cruz Island, and Jack who was a more seasonal pet. Larco had the pelican, Jim, for 47 years until he died in 1940!
Sebastian Larco, a lifelong bachelor, died May 7, 1959 in his at 222 Natoma Street in Santa Barbara at age 88. He was interred in a mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery. He was survived by his sisters Isabel Rodman and Kate Deardorf. In early 1988 the original stone-cut Larco fish market was relocated to Cabrillo Boulevard to serve as a visitor center for the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce.
“...A white pelican has for years been the pet of a fisherman's family at Santa Barbara. So remarkable is he for his intelligence that tourists go to see and photograph "Larco's pelican" as one of the sights of the city. This one was captured inland, white pelicans preferring fresh water to salt... Jim is a sociable fellow, and the fondles friends and strangers alike, when the latter will permit it, by taking their arm, hand or leg repeatedly between his mandibles. His grip is not strong, but there is a strong, sharp hook at the end of the beak that inspires caution... ”
In the News~
December 15, 1884 [SBDI]: “Combat between a 14-year-old boy and a shark… Larco the fisherman has a 14-year-old son that manages a fishing smack with as much dexterity as an old tar that had followed the seas all the days of his life, and last summer a year ago when his father owned the sloop Ocean King, would always accompany him on sea voyages… Yesterday morning the boy jumped into one of his father’s boats, bent on a fishing tour, and before he got outside the kelp he hooked on to a ten-foot shark that brought his boat to a standstill… The boy’s exertions were finally crowned a success, for when the huge monster was within reach of the lad he struck him a severe blow with a large knife…”
January 13, 1885 [SBDP]: “An odd catch was drawn up in a seine a couple of days ago by Larco Jr. It is a species of wicked looking crab, resembling a huge scorpion with hoofs or what appear like them. It is new to the fishermen here.”
January 21, 1885 [SBDP]: “…The curator reported the following donations: crustacea caught in the harbor by Mr. Larco…”
February 6, 1885 [SBDI]: “Two sons of Captain Larco, yesterday, while trolling for fish, were considerably frightened and their danger was fully realized. Recently there has been a whale frequently seen meandering near the wharf, and yesterday he got tangled in the fishermen’s fish nets, and in freeing himself made the waters wild with commotion, causing no little excitement among the fishermen. However, he gained his liberty and after striking the waters with his tail that sounded like distant thunder, he made a bee line for the channel in the direction of the boys above referred to. Seeing their danger they made for the shore and just as they reached the kelp the monster struck their boat with such force as almost to capsize it, resulting in frightening the boys considerably.”
April 20, 1885 [SBDI]: “Sharks are frequently caught while trolling. It was not long ago that one of Larco’s boys had to lance one in order to capture it. They possess the strength of a young whale, and it is a Herculean task to capture a large one. While they are not considered good to eat, they can be utilized in various ways, for their oil, etc.”
April 28, 1885 [SBDI]: “Larco’s son in two hours yesterday caught 150 barracudas, five yellowtails and one monstrous sea bass.”
May 11, 1885 [SBDI]: “Sebastian Larco, son of Andrea Larco, caught a black sea bass yesterday weighing over 300 pounds.”
May 11, 1885 [SBDP]: “Larco yesterday caught a 200 pound jewfish in the channel.”
June 28, 1887 [SBDI]: “Sea bass are very plentiful in the harbor just now. The eldest Larco boy caught 100 of them inside of 30 minutes last evening.”
July 7, 1892 [LAT/SB]: “Captain Larco, Jr. took a party of campers yesterday morning to the islands, among whom were Mr. And Mrs. Raising, Mr. Kinsell and wife, M. Emerson, wife and son.”
April 29, 1893 [LAT/SB]: “There is another new boat on the bay, smaller than the Restless, La Paloma by name, and she skims the waters like a white pigeon. La Paloma is owned by Sebastian Larco, and on Thursday his brother Genova took out a party of ten for a delightful sail. The boat is a little racer, and she shows her heels to every other craft on the water. Everyone who lives in Santa Barbara knows the Larcos. They are born sailors, every one of them. There is a tradition generally believed that Mr. Larco Sr. could sail a boat with ease when he was four years old. Certain it is that his sons are known and trusted for their skill in managing a sail, and that quick sailor’s instinct which foresees and recognizes every change of wind and weather.”
May 4, 1893 [SBDI]: “There is another new boat in the bay, smaller than the Restless, La Paloma by name, and she skims the waters like a white pigeon. La Paloma is owned by Sebastian Larco. The boat is a little racer, and she shows her heels to every other craft on the water. Everyone who lives in Santa Barbara knows the Larcos. They are born sailors every one of them. La Paloma is indeed the most graceful boat in the harbor.”
July 11, 1893 [SBDI]: “Sebastian Larco's sailboat, La Paloma, is being painted and other improvements are being made.”
August 3, 1893 [SBDI]: “The sloop Restless was expected today from Santa Cruz Island with a party of pleasure seekers who have been there for two weeks. Mr. Reed, Mrs. and Miss Kitteridge and others compose the party. La Paloma, one of Larco’s sailboats, took a party out to meet the Restless this afternoon.”
August 18, 1894 [SBMP]: “Captain Sebastian Larco with his boat La Paloma, has been engaged to take an excursion party of ten to Carpinteria today.”
September 16, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The Larco boys have taken up the crawfish-pickling industry, and their first shipment of twelve casks will be sent to San Francisco tomorrow.”
April 3, 1896 [LAT/SB]: “One of the largest devil fish ever seen in the Channel was captured by the Larco boys at Santa Cruz Island yesterday after a hard struggle. The huge fish measured fifteen and a half feet from the tip of one arm to the other, and ten feet from his head to the end of an arm. He had thrown two of his arms over the boat, and it required a hard fight to kill him. The big fish will be put on exhibition by the Larcos at their home on State Street.”
June 11, 1896 [LAT/SB]: “Lewis Olivas, a drunken Indian who stole Captain Larco’s boat, was today held to appear by Judge Gammill, his fine being fixed at $200, which he was unable to raise.”
June 16, 1896 [LAT/SB]: “Sebastian Larco caught a beautiful specimen of jelly fish alongside the Oregon this morning. It was taken on board, where it was the center of a curious crowd for awhile, then it was put back into the water. The colors were deep purple and very light blue and the shape was that of an extended parasol.”
July 10, 1896 [SBDN]: “By courtesy of Sebastian Larco, the Santa Barbara Military Band will enjoy a sail Sunday afternoon.”
July 13, 1896 [LAT/SB]: “Santa Barbara Parlor No. 116, Native Sons of the Golden West, installed the following named officers on Friday evening:…S. Larco…”
June 26, 1898 [SBMP]: “La Paloma, the favorite yacht of the channel, is now ready for service. La Paloma is most admirably fitted for the accommodation of pleasure parties, with every arrangement for comfort and safety. Apply to Sebastian Larco, 123 State Street.”
July 14, 1898 [LAT/SB]: “John Fuller of Summerland has purchased the yacht La Paloma from Sebastian Larco of this city.”
November 4, 1898 [LAT/SB]: “George Godfrey has been arrested for alleged burglary of the house of Sebastian Larco, on lower State Street…”
November 7, 1898 [LAT/SB]: “George Godfrey, a colored youth, was before Justice Crane yesterday, charged with burglary of the premises of A. Larco on lower State Street, and was held in the sum of $1000.”
November 17, 1898 [LAT/SB]: “George Godfrey, a colored youth, 19 years old, was sentenced to San Quentin for two years yesterday, for burglary in entering the house of A. Larco, in this city. The boy was born here, orphaned in early childhood, and has earned his living for several years as an employee of the local fishermen.”
March 25, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “The largest catch of fish crawfish for the season was brought in by Sebastian Larco yesterday.”
March 28, 1900 [SBMP]: “La Paloma, Captain Sebastian Larco, is overhauling and painting his speedy little yacht preparatory to putting her in the water for the season.”
August 22, 1901 [SBMP]: “Monster green turtle caught by fishermen in the channel. Sebastian Larco is in possession of a large turtle caught by his men yesterday afternoon, which is considered to be worth hundreds of dollars to a museum or institute. Every afternoon about 4:30 o’clock the fishermen in his employ pull in their nets, which are set in the channel about a mile and a half out. Yesterday, while they were returning, they noticed several large splashes resembling a whale in distress, located in the center of the kelp. They immediately turned their boats in that direction, and on arriving at the spot noticed that the cause of the disturbance was a monster turtle, caught in the kelp and unable to extricate itself. After considerable hard work, a rope was fastened to it and an effort made to bring it to the boat. Finally the monster was dragged in, but scarcely had it landed before it struck one of the men with its wing, or fin, sending him headlong into the ocean, and then crawled back into the water... A rope was securely fastened and the turtle towed to the beach and landed. A wagon was called and their capture was safely landed at Larco’s residence. Then another struggle began. The turtle objected to being taken into the fish house, and three powerful men were unable to master him. They were thrown aside by the turtle, carried upon his back and occasionally thrown down. More assistance was needed, and not until six men with ropes attached to the monster’s body were they able to conquer him. Captain Larco was interviewed…’ It is a pure green turtle, and of great value… I never heard of but one other being captured on the Pacific Coast. It was taken by government officials aboard the coast survey steamer McArthur, near San Francisco, many years ago…’ The exact weight of the turtle is not known, yet it will weigh over 600 pounds. It measures almost seven feet in length by four feet across the back, and from tip to tip of the front fins over twelve feet. Mr. Larco will exhibit it beginning tomorrow. An effort will be made to have it put in the bathhouse, where thousands of people could see it. By throwing salt water over it daily it can be kept alive indefinitely… Piano Larco and Pietro Marfoli were the fishermen who captured it.”
August 25, 1901 [SBMP]: “The monster turtle captured by fishermen a few days ago was on exhibition at yesterday at Sherman’s meat market. Many visitors viewed the curiosity. Dr. L. G. Yates will mount it for Sebastian Larco.”
May 14, 1902 [SBMP]: “Larco's pleasure yacht, La Paloma, which has been undergoing an overhauling, is now in first class condition and ready to take out pleasure parties.”
January 23, 1904 [LAT/SB]: “A remarkable catch was made yesterday by S. Larco, a local fisherman. Larco captured a 400-pound sea bass, said to be the largest fish of the kind captured in these waters. Fishing in the channel has been remarkably good for several days and fishing parties from the hotels have made phenomenal catches.”
May 15, 1906 [SBMP]: “County recorder Mark Bradley had decided to take his summer vacation trip at this time, when legal holidays are many... over the mountains after trout fishing. They will join a party consisting of Messrs. C. A. Hunt, C. A. Haese, John Haese, Charles Workman, William Bastian and Sebastian Larco.”
May 18, 1906 [SBMP]: “A jolly fishing party composed of Charles Haese, C. A. Hunt, W. Bastian, Sebastian Larco, William Raffour, Mark Bradley and Mr. Workmen will return this evening.”
August 21, 1906 [SBMP]: “Sebastian Larco will entertain a party of friends on the sloop-yacht Belvedere this afternoon.”
February 14, 1908 [SBMP]: “Craw fishermen under arrest. Violations come thick and fast as close of season approaches. Deputy state game wardens Ables and Heacock, who have been active looking after the crawfish interests, ran to earth yesterday three offenders... alleged to have undersized crustaceans in their possession. Sebastian Larco, charged with the same offense, has demanded a jury, and a trial comes up Saturday before Justice Wheaton.”
February 21, 1908 [SBMP]: “Craw fishermen are not guilty. The case of the People vs. Sebastian Larco, charged by the game wardens with having in his possession undersized crawfish, occupied Justice Wheaton's court and a jury all yesterday morning... The three Larco boys were witnesses for the defense, and they testified that their father had given strict instructions to fishermen not to run any undersized fish in consignments being expressed by Larco to San Francisco... the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty in a very few minutes...”
September 1, 1908 [SBI]: “Crawfish become scarce and need law’s protection…From 50 to 100 camps will be established on the shores of the Santa Barbara islands within the next ten days, by crawfishers, most of whom will go to the islands from Santa Barbara. Every powerboat on the water front has been chartered to take over the wooden traps which are used in snarling the most prized of all Pacific coast seafood… The largest fish dealers of this city, including Sebastian Larco, are strongly in favor of the movement to prohibit crawfishing for 12 months in the year for a period long enough to restock the waters of the coast…”
December 12, 1908 [SBMP]: “Sebastian Larco, who has been reported ill for the last month, is reported as improving.”
December 17, 1908 [SBMP]: “I learned in conversation with Sebastian Larco that the crawfish on this coast are being rapidly exterminated so that it is almost impossible to catch them now of a legal size...”
July 1, 1909 [SBMP]: “Hansen and Warnold brought over 600 pounds of fine smelt in the Baltic yesterday from Santa Cruz Island. The fish were caught in yesterday morning’s haul, and the fishermen left for Santa Barbara at once so that the catch would be delivered in good shape. This is one of the largest hauls made lately and indicated the fish are beginning to run in the channel. S. Larco, the local fish dealer yesterday said: ‘From all indications, the fish will be running fine in a week. This year the run has been exceedingly late, and it was the opinion of some of the fishermen that there would be no summer run.’”
August 31, 1909 [SBI]: “Guests at the Potter Hotel are given convincing evidence that leaping tuna abound in the Santa Barbara channel by a photograph of the three monster game fish caught by S. Larco’s fishermen last week. The card is tacked to a bulletin board near the hotel desk, and on the board in large letters is written, ‘Caught in Santa Barbara channel August 23.’ The sign has already attracted much attention.”
September 17, 1909 [SBI]: “Fishing has improved within the past week. Barracuda are fairly plentiful and some big catches are being made by S. Larco’s fishermen.”
September 25, 1909 [SBI]: “Professional fishermen are suffering financially as the result of an unusual scarcity of all kinds of fish in the Santa Barbara channel. This morning several boats returned after drifting with the tide all night, with less than a dozen barracuda for the night’s work. ‘Bait seems plentiful, but the fish either are not there or escape the net,’ said S. Larco. ‘Several boats are here from San Pedro, but they have no better luck than our own fishermen.’”
December 17, 1910 [SBI]: “Captain Sebastian Larco will leave this evening on a business and pleasure trip.”
March 10, 1911 [SBMP]: “Sebastian Larco denies reports published in the evening paper concerning ‘Jack,’ the pelican, whose return has been announced with more or less regularity every few days. The Larcos stated last night that Jack had not been seen last February, a year ago. The last alleged return of Jack appeared in the Independent, coupled with the statement that after the sudden death of Captain Andrew Larco, Jack reappeared. ‘Jack would not hang around the place when the captain was there, but he was no sooner returned to Mother Earth than the great bird reappeared as though he had been gone but a moment or two.’ The aspersions implied by the sentence quoted have aroused the indignation of the heirs of Captain Larco, who declare that they have always been willing to give the news interest, and that they are at a loss to understand the purpose or meaning of the publication.”
March 31, 1911 [SBMP]: “The new grey pelican, which alighted on Captain Short’s powerboat Charm Thursday night in mid-channel, and which was presented to the Larcos to take the place of the missing Jim, made himself very much at home yesterday, although he resented the presence of the old bird, and promptly picked a fight. The newcomer was victorious, and the outcome might have been serious but for prompt interference. Sebastian Larco said yesterday he had never heard of a pelican alighting on a moving boat. Of the old pair, Jack was caught by a crew of trainmen at Saugus; and Jim owed his long sojourn ashore to a fishhook imbedded in an appetizing smelt being brought to deck on the end of a trolling line. The latest arrival refuses to eat, but the Larcos anticipate no trouble in bringing him to feed.”
August 9, 1911 [SBMP]: ““Larco to Build. S[ebastian] Larco has commenced construction work on a new fish market on lower State Street, on the site of his present business place. The building is to be of stone, 15 x 36 feet and is to be a 1-story affair with a tiled roof. Peter Poole is the contractor in charge of operations.”
October 1, 1912 [SBMP]: “The Charm left Santa Barbara Saturday morning with thirty-three passengers, teachers, normal school students, artists and others. After an enjoyable trip across the channel, the party landed at Valdez Harbor, first having viewed the wonders of Painted Cave. The remainder of the afternoon was spent exploring. Trouble with the machinery prevented the start home on schedule time, and the party camped as best they could for the night. Sunday morning two fishing launches, one of them, Larco’s Miramar, appeared, and later the Ellen, Captain Zankich, chartered by Prof. A.C. Olney, whose wife was with the Charm party. The Charm was then given a rapid tow across the channel, the three launches furnishing the power with the Ellen leading the tandem...”
February 14, 1913 [SBMP]: “The crawfish season ends tomorrow, the last receipts from the island camps coming in yesterday. According to Sebastian Larco of the Larco Company, the catch this year has been the smallest known; not so much because of rough weather as the approaching extermination of these crustaceans.”
February 27, 1914 [SBMP]: “S. Larco and Co.’s crawfish camps on Santa Cruz Island, to the number of about 20, have been dismantled, and the last of the paraphernalia and men will be brought back to the mainland today. Fifty men have been employed at the work for this concern this season, half of them residents of San Pedro. These latter will be taken to their home on the Larco boat, Miramar.”
December 19, 1914 [SBMP]: “When the Miramar, Larco’s powerboat, returned from Santa Cruz Island yesterday with the crawfish catch for the past week from the various camps on the island shore, the members of her crew told a tale of misfortune that had over taken the fishermen there. The gale of Wednesday night…”
December 31, 1914 [LAT]: “Are pirates making their hide-out on Santa Cruz Island? This question is being asked by local fishermen. The Italian fishermen employed by the Larco Fish Company are certain the isolated harbors of the island are frequented by robbers of the sea. Captain George Gourley is also positive and says reports he receives indicate that the robbers live on the fat of the land, shooting the sheep kept on the island…”
January 3, 1915 [SBMP]: “Larco’s powerboat, the Miramar, took a large number of crawfish traps to Santa Cruz Island for the fishermen there, who have lost their outfits in the last storms.”
January 10, 1915 [SBMP]: “Larco’s powerboat, the Miramar, left yesterday afternoon for the crawfish camps on the south side of Santa Cruz Island with supplies for the fishermen and materials for the building of new traps to replace those lost in the recent gales.”
January 3, 1917 [SBDN]: “Fish shortage becomes more serious. Twenty-one days at sea without catching a pound of fish is the unprecedented record set by some of the fishing boats from Santa Barbara. The fish shortage is more acute than it has been in many years on the Pacific coast, and fishermen from San Diego to San Francisco are face to face with a condition, which may force them to abandon their following if they and their families are to exist. At S. Larco & Company today it was said there is scarcely a pound of fish to be secured anywhere on the coast. The wholesalers as well as the fishermen up and down the coast are losing hundreds of dollars, and it is said to be problematical whether some of the smaller concerns will be able to continue in business if the stringent situation does not relax soon… One of S. Larco & Company’s boats was out twenty-one days and caught one barracuda; some have caught nothing in that time… Local fishermen and dealers are at a loss to explain the reason for the scarcity. Some said the weather is one factor, while others said this simply is an ‘off year.’”
June 13, 1917 [SBDN]: “The war has struck the fishing smacks which make Santa Barbara their home port. Other craft, including the yacht Royal, also came within the scope of a new naval regulation, made known here today which requires that all vessels engaged in the navigation of the waters comprised within the naval districts, or in the navigation of defensive sea areas must at once take out special licenses. News of the new order was taken to the local boat owners this morning, and S. Larco and Company, who own or control most of the fishing smacks in this port, were the first to send for their licenses, being quick to appreciate the necessity for immediate compliance with the order. They have eight fishing boats, besides which there are a number of pleasure boats which will come under the new regulation, making a total of about 20 local vessels in all that must have the new naval license…”
October 1, 1917 [SBDN]: “Municipal fish market now possibility. A municipal fish market to break the price of fish appeared as a definite possibility today when it became known that members of the Chamber of Commerce are cooperating with local members of the State Board of Conservation toward lowering the cost of foodstuffs… Mr. Larco, from his office at 214 State Street, said that fish is scarce, that only six of his numerous boats are at all active, that 400 fishing boats have left these waters for San Pedro and that he is bringing fish into Santa Barbara to supply his local trade…”
December 11, 1917 [SBDN]: “Deputy named to fix local prices for fish. Complaints registered by Santa Barbara people against the excessive price of fish have been threshed out by Harris Weinstock of San Francisco, State Market Director, as a result of a conference with representatives from several local organizations and consumers yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock at the Arlington Hotel. George Wight has been appointed deputy market director, and hereafter fish prices will be set according to the price paid for them and according to the catch. Sebastian Larco, Santa Barbara’s only retail and wholesale fish dealer, has been charging a standard price for fish during the past several months, regardless of the amount of the catch, it was shown. This will be stopped immediately, according to Mr. Weinstock’s order, and the prices will fluctuate. If there is a heavy catch today and the fish bought 1 or 2 cents cheaper than the day before, the price to the consumer will drop accordingly. When the catch is small and fishermen demand more from the dealer, the consumer will be charged more… Mr. Larco, who had been invited to attend the conference, explained that he was not monopolizing the market, and that there was no agreement between his firm and any other that they should not sell fish… Mr. Larco is making no more clear profit now than he did two years ago, his books showed… It has been a general contention of local people that Mr. Larco has been reaping a harvest off fish profits. He was charged by some of the consumers present at the conference with failing to supply local demand and with shipping large cargoes of fish to other points where better prices were paid. Mr. Larco denied this and said that in only some instances did he ship fish to other points and that was done only after the local demand was supplied…”
A September, 1918 paper reported: “There is not a cat within a radius of two miles of Sebastian Larco’s fish route that does not understand the meaning of his coming. Larco’s feline army has grown to such an extent that he now numbers them among the hundreds. Furthermore, they never go hungry.” Sebastian Larco built his fleet into eight diesel-engine boats in short order, most named for family members.
May 19, 1919 [SBDN]: “S. Larco wholesale and retail fish dealer. All kinds of fresh fish received daily. All kinds of shellfish in season. City deliveries 10 A.M., 3 P.M. Montecito delivery 10:30 A.M. daily. Phone 535. Main market 215 State. Branch market 628 State.”
January 12, 1931 [SHR/50]: “A. J. Roberts’ cabin cruiser Intrepido sprang a leak off Santa Cruz Island, and one of the Larco boats took her under tow before it sank.”
June 14, 1933 [SBMP]: “The body of William Dutch Schultz, hermit fisherman… was brought to town by the Larco Brothers boat, the California.”
[1966]: According to Pier Gherini:
- “Without any boat of our own, we soon learned that transportation was the most important problem and headache. During the first few years of our operation, we depended on several sources of transportation, all rather unsatisfactory. For routine supplies we depended upon the Larco fish boats which came to pick up lobsters and supply lobster camps. In consideration of receiving transportation, we granted the company the right to maintain fish camps at Potato Bay, Scorpion, San Pedro Point, and at Yellow Banks.”
