Title: The Spirit of the Big Yellow House, History of Summerland’s Founding Family, Rod Lathim, Santa Barbara California Landmark Restaurant, Local History

Author, Creator: Rod Lathim, with Bradley Girard and Cynthia Wisehart

Publisher: Emily Publications, 1995. Originally associated with 1975 / 1995 publication history. Paperback edition, fully illustrated. 158 pages.

Condition: Nice vintage used condition. These are used unsigned copies, not new, with general bookshop wear from age, handling, and storage. Clean, attractive, and firmly readable overall, with light edge wear, minor cover wear, small bumps, faint creases, or other slight defects possible. A good, gift-quality used paperback copy of this scarce local history title. Please see photos for condition details.

Description: The Spirit of the Big Yellow House: A History of Summerland’s Founding Family is a warmly illustrated local history centered on one of the most memorable landmarks along the California coast. Written and illustrated by Santa Barbara artist, theater producer, and Access Theatre founder Rod Lathim, this book tells the story of Summerland, California, the H. L. Williams family, and the beloved Big Yellow House restaurant that became part of Santa Barbara County memory.

Summerland sits on coastal bluffs just below Santa Barbara, near Montecito and Carpinteria. The town was founded in 1883 by H. L. Williams, a spiritualist and real estate speculator who divided the land into small lots and promoted the community to fellow Spiritualists. The area’s history includes early settlement, spiritualist culture, coastal development, oil boom history, distinctive local architecture, family stories, and the unusual atmosphere that made Summerland one of the more fascinating enclaves of the Santa Barbara coast.

The Big Yellow House itself began as a private residence built by H. L. Williams in 1884. In the early 1970s, the house was purchased by John and June Young. June Young, already known for her role in creating Santa Claus Lane, transformed the formerly beige Victorian house by painting it bright yellow with an orange roof. The color choice caused a stir, but the house became impossible to miss and eventually grew into a cherished landmark. For many Santa Barbara and Summerland families, it became a place of meals, celebrations, coastal drives, childhood memories, and local folklore.

This book captures the spirit, history, personalities, architecture, and community character behind the famous restaurant and the town around it. It is especially appealing for readers interested in Santa Barbara County history, Summerland, California coastal landmarks, historic houses, restaurant history, spiritualist communities, family biography, local legends, and illustrated regional books.

Why You'll Love It: This is a charming and unusual local history book with strong Santa Barbara and Summerland appeal. It combines family story, coastal California history, landmark architecture, restaurant nostalgia, and regional illustration in a way that feels personal and memorable.

Collectors of California local history, Santa Barbara County books, restaurant memorabilia, illustrated regional titles, and small-town histories will appreciate its subject matter and scarcity. It is also a meaningful book for anyone who remembers The Big Yellow House, visited Summerland, grew up near Santa Barbara, or enjoys stories about eccentric landmarks, founding families, and places with a strong sense of memory.

Key Topics & Genre: The Spirit of the Big Yellow House, Rod Lathim, Bradley Girard, Cynthia Wisehart, Summerland California history, Santa Barbara County local history, Big Yellow House restaurant, California coastal landmark, H. L. Williams, Summerland founding family, spiritualist community, Santa Barbara restaurants, Santa Claus Lane, June Young, John Young, Victorian house history, California architecture, coastal California nostalgia, restaurant memorabilia, illustrated local history, California regional books, Santa Barbara County landmarks, Summerland oil boom, historic houses California, family biography, local folklore, house ghosts, Access Theatre Santa Barbara, California travel nostalgia, regional history paperback, scarce local history book