A Piece of Family History Restored

I just read Tyler Hayden’s piece about the Edson Smith photo archive and, using it, found a 1925 photo of my grandfather’s store after the earthquake.

Thanks so much for researching and writing the article, which my sister Cathy (who still lives in Santa Barbara) sent to me this evening.

Our grandfather James V. (“Jimmy”) Murray owned a confectionary store in the 900 block of State Street. I think there’s an Indian restaurant there now. In the photo next to the damaged bank building you can see a vertical sign that reads: “_ _ URRAY’S” Plus there’s a temporary sign saying that he’s open for business. I wish I knew who those two guys were, standing out in front. And I wonder if that’s my grandfather’s big car?