The Barber Tract is a neighborhood rich in La Jolla history as well as a trove of early architecturally designed homes. In this picturesque neighborhood, nestled between Windansea beach and the Village, you find proud Spanish Colonials gracing the streets alongside quaint storybook English Tudors and French Normandy-style homes. Along the charming streets, vine-covered walls and garden gates hide secret gardens filled with mature landscaping, beautiful flowers and meandering pathways. Many of the European revival-style homes were built from 1920 to 1940 and were designed by some of San Diego’s noteworthy early architects. Edgar V. Ullrich, Tom Shepherd, Herbert Palmer, Requa & Jackson, Lilian Rice, George Washington Smith and Florence Palmer have left their eclectic architectural imprints on this seaside terrain. Close to the turn of the century, the neighborhood was originally named “Neptunia” but has been affectionately known as the Barber Tract since the early 1920s after its major landowner and developer, Phillip Barber. Barber was an heir to the Barber & Company steamship firm in New York. The 16th of 18 children, Barber was a visionary and dreamer with an artistic sense, who in many ways was a man ahead of his time. While on a trip to San Diego around 1920, he purchased the slowly developing seaside tract of Neptunia. The acreage of the tract spread from La Jolla Boulevard to the sea and from Westbourne to the south and Sea Lane to the north. The rugged sand dunes that ran throughout the area reminded Barber of a favorite vacation spot he frequented on Long Island, N.Y.; it was love at first sight. Barber’s daughter, Barbara Barber Stockton, who passed away in March 2009, recalls her very excited father telephoned her mother Mary, in Tenafly, N.J., and said, “Pack up the family, I’ve just purchased property in La Jolla, California.” The family arrived in La Jolla in 1921, and under Barber’s ownership, development of the Barber Tract began to take off as he sold small parcels of land with select, architect-designed homes on them. Many of the homes reflected the European revival styles that were gaining popularity throughout the country during this era. In 1923, Barber finished construction and moved his wife and four children (a fifth child, daughter Tootie, was born later) into a sprawling oceanfront Spanish Colonial home. The Depression in the 1930s slowed development of the area for a number of years and many of the homes were left vacant. Even Barber had to relinquish his beloved home and properties to creditors during this difficult time. Barber remained in La Jolla until 1946 and then moved to the Julian area. He passed away in 1963, followed in 1965 by his wife Mary. The home Barber built on Dunemere Drive remains today. The barren sand dunes that once surrounded the home have given way to a landscape filled with towering trees, lush plantings and expansive lawns that gently roll down to the sandy beach below. The house itself has changed very little over the years and belonged to Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson for more than 40 years. The home was historically designated as “Casa de la Paz — Historic Site #520” in 2002. Recently, new owners have purchased the one-of-a-kind historic estate. There is a true sense of an old-fashioned neighborhood in the Barber Tract. The Neighborhood Association sponsors events during most holidays. There is a Fourth of July parade, pancake breakfast at the beach around Memorial Day and a wonderful Christmas party at the French Normandy-style home that originally belonged to architect Ullrich. All of my neighbors seem to agree that the Barber Tract is a little piece of paradise by the sea. — My gratitude to Barbara Barber Stockton and her sister Tootie Barber Hatch for their wonderful stories and photos about the Barber Tract and its founding family. Go to www.LindaMarrone.com for more vintage photos of the Barber Tract. (This story originally appeared in longer form in the Fall 2005 issue of La Jolla Today magazine.)