Historical Markers in
Ventura County, California

317 Central Avenue 320 Central Avenue 328 Central Avenue 338 Central Avenue 340 Central Avenue 348 Central Avenue 362 Central Avenue 364 Central Avenue 632 E. Thompson Boulevard 682 East Thompson Boulevard Adolfo Camarillo Heritage Grove Alaska Flight 261 Memorial American Beet Sugar Factory Anacapa Island Bank of Hueneme Bard Hospital Bard Memorial Birthplace of Union Oil Company of California Camarillo Ranch House Canyon School Cesar E. Chavez Chumash Hutash Fiesta Civic Center Corriganville Crowley House Dacy Fazio House Dr. Cunane House Dudley House Early Ranchers of this Historic Site El Caballo El Camino Real Bell El Rancho Simi Erle Stanley Gardner’s Law Office F-14 Tomcat Familia Diaz Cafe Faulkner House Fillmore State Bank Fillmore's First Bank & Masonic Hall First Christian Church First Church of Christ Scientist Fort Apache Fruit Brandy Still Gerberding / Moranda House Glen Tavern Inn Governor Juan Alvarado Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village Groene Building Henry Levy House Heritage Oak Hobson Bros. Packing Company Hueneme Slough Hunt Olive Tree In Memory of Those Who Perished Isbell School J.A. Day House Jack Rose Joel McCrea Ranch Jungleland "La Jenelle" Lang Ranch Lavanderia Matilija Hot Springs McKevett School Moorpark’s Community Church Norwegian Grade Ojai City Jail Ojai Post Office Tower and Portico Old County Court House Olivas Adobe Olivas Adobe Olive Ortega Adobe Pederson Ranch House Peirano Market Perkins / Claberg House Petit Ranch House Petre Ranch House Point Hueneme Lighthouse Portolá Expedition Portolá Expedition Rancho Camulos Rancho Cañada Larga Rancho Sierra Vista Ronald Wilson Reagan Saint Francis Dam Disaster Memorial San Buenaventura China Alley Memorial San Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct San Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct San Buenaventura Mission Cross Santa Clara Schoolhouse Santa Gertrudis Asistencia Santa Rosa School Santa Susana Railroad Depot Saticoy Railroad Depot Saticoy Springs Scorpion Was Once A Busy Sheep Ranch Sifford House Simi Adobe Simi Elementary School Simi Library Site of the Mayfair Theater, 1941-2000 Southern Pacific Depot St. Francis Dam Disaster St. Francis Dam Disaster St. Francis Dam Disaster Stagecoach Inn Stagecoach Inn and Sycamore Tree Sycamore Tree Tanner Corner Tanner Homestead The Arnold House The Artists’ Barn The Depot, Santa Paula The Ebell Club The First Community The Flood of 1997: A Destructive Force The Hardison Estate The History of Libbey Bowl The Hobart/Barr/Lucking Initial Residence c. 1898 The Hobart/Barr/Lucking Residence The House of the Sea The Janss House The Lang Ranch The Lone Oak The Maulhardt Winery The Ojai Arcade The Oxnard Pagoda The Piru Mansion The Somis School The Town Clock Triunfo Canyon Ventura Theatre Water Well Drilling Rig Women’s Improvement Club Wood Ranch Barns
The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought a huge influx of people to the state. In just two years, the population of San Francisco grew from 1,000 to 25,000. However, only a small percentage of gold-seekers actually struck it rich, and many ended up in debt or poverty.
California random facts
Ventura County, located on the southern coast of California, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The region was occupied by Native American tribes such as the Chumash and Gabrielino for centuries before the arrival of European explorers. In the late 18th century, Spanish missionaries began establishing missions in the area, including Mission San Buenaventura, which was founded in 1782 and remains a prominent historical landmark today.

After the Mexican War of Independence in the early 19th century, California came under Mexican rule, and Ventura County became a part of it. However, in 1848, the region's fate changed with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War and ceded California to the United States. Ventura County experienced an influx of settlers during the California Gold Rush, leading to the establishment of agricultural communities and the growth of the local economy.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed significant developments in Ventura County. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1880s played a crucial role in facilitating trade and transportation, stimulating further economic growth. The county's agricultural sector flourished, with crops like lemons, citrus fruits, and avocados becoming major exports. The oil industry also became a prominent feature of Ventura County's economy, attracting companies such as Standard Oil and Union Oil.

In the post-World War II era, Ventura County experienced rapid population growth and urban development. The construction of a highway system brought new residents and businesses to the area, leading to the establishment of cities like Ventura, Oxnard, and Thousand Oaks. Today, Ventura County is known for its beautiful coastal landscapes, vibrant agricultural industry, and a diverse blend of urban and rural communities. The county continues to evolve and thrive while preserving its deep historical roots.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Ventura County, California.

  • 1873 - Ventura County is established as a separate county from Santa Barbara County.
  • 1874 - San Buenaventura becomes the county seat.
  • 1887 - The Southern Pacific Railroad arrives in Ventura County, leading to increased growth and development.
  • 1903 - The discovery of oil in the county leads to the development of the oil industry.
  • 1928 - The construction of the Matilija Dam begins, which eventually leads to the creation of Lake Casitas.
  • 1937 - Channel Islands National Park is established, including several islands off the coast of Ventura County.
  • 1957 - The Conejo Valley Unified School District is formed, serving the cities of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.
  • 1967 - The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is dedicated in Simi Valley.
  • 1971 - The community of Ojai becomes a National Historic Preservation District.
  • 1994 - The Northridge earthquake causes significant damage in Ventura County.
  • 2005 - The first commercial oil drilling in decades takes place in Ventura County.