This story was originally published by the Santa Barbara News-Press.
At about 6:42 a.m. 100 years ago today, the residents of Santa Barbara were violently tossed around — some thrown out of their beds — by the heaving of a mighty earthquake.
The shaking lasted 18 seconds. On State Street, the shock produced a giant wave that lifted entire buildings and then slammed them back down. Facades slid off, hotel guests were tossed out of rooms and 11 people were killed by falling debris. Sixty-five others were injured. The sky turned black with dust from the rubble…