Vintage Santa Barbara: Faithful companion stands the test of time

This Mission Revival residence on an established block in Santa Barbara is a landmark in its own right.

The grand residence heads a line of five historic houses known as Crocker Row. The single-family homes were built as a cohesive unit by William Crocker, who vacationed there and financed them as rentals. The house looks straight out of the 1890s, having been maintained and modernized while preserving its significant details.

But, to locals, the home is best known for the 340-pound metal statue of a Labrador retriever standing alongside the driveway of the corner lot.

The Dog Statue House, as it is called, has been home to Rover, now named Lucky, since early owners brought him from California to Michigan after the turn of the last century. Over the years, the statue has been broken, painted and even stolen.

Throughout it all, the 4-foot-tall bronze has become a familiar sight, standing sentinel and catching the eyes of passersby. As the seasons turn, the homeowners dress him in appropriate holiday attire.

Among features original to the 4,900-square-foot home are the distinctive windows, wood floors and stonework. There are four bedrooms and six bathrooms. A swimming pool, spa and a cabana are in the backyard.

The more than half-acre property, at 2010 Garden St., is listed at $4.595 million with Colleen Parent Beall of Compass.

There’s one catch to a sale, however: The next owners must agree to continue the tradition of dressing up the dog.

This occasional feature celebrates Southern California’s architectural heritage through homes built before 1950.

Submit candidates for Vintage SoCal to lauren.beale2@latimes.com.

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