Mr. Monopoly Goes Straight to Westmont

Westmont is on the board! Monopoly: The Santa Barbara Edition includes a space featuring the Montecito campus in the light purple section where Virginia Avenue sits in the classic game. The only college featured on the board, Westmont appears between two iconic locations: the Santa Barbara Harbor and the Santa Barbara Airport. The square features a Brad Elliott photo highlighting the college’s iconic Italian fountain, a replica of one dating from the 19th century that graced the Dwight Murphy estate, which Westmont purchased in 1945. The board also includes Montecito’s famed Butterfly Beach, a favorite destination for Westmont students.

Monopoly debuted in 1935. Hasbro unveiled the new game on Nov. 28 at the Lobero Theatre and visited the wooded campus in Montecito the following day to pose for pictures with excited students, staff and faculty. Mr. Monopoly’s famous leisurely gait grabbed attention as he strolled around and posed at the campus bookstore to promote the game on display for Christmas gifts and available at the lowest price. He met President Gayle D. Beebe in Kerrwood Hall by the nine-foot Christmas tree and headed to the Dining Commons to the delight of dozens of students.