Price, Francis B., Sr., 1890-1965
Dates
- Existence: 1890-10-04 - 1965-04-17
Francis Price Sr. Rites Tomorrow, by Steve Sullivan, News-Press Staff Writer, 04/18/1965
Francis Price, Sr. was born in Santa Barbara October 4, 1890, the son of Judge Samuel S. and Mary M. Pekinpaugh Price, he became interested in civic work at an early age and for the half centruy following his graduation from Stanford University his talents served in a broad randge of community endeavor.
He helped build or maintain and made major contributions of effort to such institutions as the Santa Barbara Foundation, Old Spanish Days, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, the community's public school system, Cottage Hospital, the Old Mission, the Community Chest, was director and president of Citizens Savings and Loan Association, and served on the adviory board of the Santa Barbara branch of Security First National Bank.
Mr. Price was a life-long student of Santa Barbara's history and translated many old Spanish documents describing early life and customs in this area, as well as historical events. This in itself was a community service of great import, and one he augmented by personal trips to most of the Spanish-speaking world.
Many honors came his way, and many were turned down with a shrug of the shoulder. The Academy of American Franciscan History honored him, the prince of Monaco once presented him with a prized medal, and the community he loved named him "Man of the Year."
A prize has been established in his name, the annual Francis Price Award in Hispanic Studies, honoring Mr. Price as founder of the Hispanic Society in Santa Barbara, it goes each year to a student who demonstrates promise in such studies.
A man whose life covered an entire era of Santa Barbara history, and who helped put much of that history into the record, passed away here early April 17, 1965. A man perhaps little known to many who have come lately to Santa Barbara, nevertheless enjoy many benefits which bear the mark and stamp of this native of the community.