The Alcatraz Asphalt Mine was once the center of mining on the present day University of California, Santa Barbara campus.
In the 1800s, asphalt was an important building material used to pave streets and seal roofs. Prior to its manufacture from crude oil sources, asphalt had to be mined in its natural state.
On the Central Coast, asphalt deposits were located in Carpinteria, Brea near Sisquoc, More Mesa in Goleta and on the Gus Den Ranch at the present-day UCSB campus. During their days in Goleta, the Chumash Indians used these sources to caulk their tomols and baskets and decorate their large stone ceremonial bowls…