THE HISTORIC SEASIDE CITY is a treasure-trove of preserved
architecture that dates back to the California mission period
(VENTURA, CA) – The city of Ventura,
ideally situated along a stretch of the California central coast between
Malibu and Santa Barbara, has been a living community for at least ten
thousand years. Originally a Chumash Indian settlement, it was deemed
San Buenaventura in 1782 by Father Junipero Serra when he founded the
ninth California mission.
The Mission
has functioned without interruption as a Catholic Church on Ventura’s
Main Street to this day, and Ventura’s Latino heritage is still visible
in other structures as well. Just a few miles from the heart of
downtown is the must-see
Olivas Adobe,
an immaculately restored Spanish rancho estate known for its elegant
grounds that often play host to various special events and is open to
the public. Another landmark residence that typifies homes that lined
Main Street through the 1800s includes the
Ortega Adobe - built in 1857 and known for being the birthplace of Ortega Famous Green Chilies.
Now
in 2013, the city of Ventura continues to keep its history alive by
upholding the value of its historical architecture and commemorating
milestone anniversaries. On
July 4th, 2013 the public
is invited to take part in celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the
Neo Classic, “Beau Arts” style San Buenaventura City Hall. Located in
the heart of downtown, with views of the Pacific Ocean, the Ventura City
Hall has been
one of the state's premier civic buildings since 1913. The City Hall centennial will be celebrated at the 38
th annual
4th of July Street Fair,
making this year’s theme "Ventura City Hall Centennial 1913-2013".
Interspersed with six stages of live entertainment, the fair will extend
along Main Street from Fir Street to Ventura Avenue as well as side
streets Chestnut, Oak and California and feature over 250 fine artists
and crafters, as well as a plethora of food vendors. The annual
Pushem-Pullen Parade will be sponsored by Rotary Club of Ventura East
and is free for all. This Ventura tradition will feature costumed
children and adults with decorated bicycles and little red wagons. The
Street Fair begins 10am at Cemetery Memorial Park on Main Street and
ends at the Street Fair at 5pm.; free shuttle bus services from the
Ventura County Government Center will be available.
The city of Ventura also holds historical sites that date back to the Victorian era, 1880 and beyond.
The Victorian Rose
is one of Ventura’s oldest landmark buildings and is a testament to the
gothic cathedrals, complete with a 96-foot spire. Originally built in
1880 by Selywn Locke Shaw, it now operates as Ventura’s only
full-service Bed & Breakfast. Another lasting edifice from this era
is the authentically restored farmhouse, known as the
Dudley House
- built in 1892 by B.W. Dudley, where he and his family lived until
1930. The Dudley House Museum is open to the public, offers special
tours for schools and other groups, and private tours can also be
arranged. The beautiful gardens are a popular site for weddings and
other special events.
Ventura’s Historic Downtown District is filled with excellent examples of
homes from the late 19
th and early 20
th
century – many that have been repurposed into thriving businesses. The
former home of Ventura Philanthropist Carlo Hahn, built in 1912, now
houses
The Tavern Bar & Restaurant. The Craftsman-style Norton Ranch House (1910) is now home to a French bistro,
71 Palm. The Italianate period
Love House
(1903) sits between two other post-Victorian, accurately restored,
turn-of-the-century homes, all of which have been converted to
professional buildings. Other downtown architectural standouts include
the lovingly preserved row of Queen Anne cottages that occupy an entire
block facing Plaza Park. Victorian and craftsman-style homes stretch
through midtown to The
Pierpont Inn
which was built in 1910 and encompasses decades of rich architecture
including two 1925 English Tudor Revival cottages and a 1935 Spanish
Revival Ballroom. This cozy craftsman-style 77-room historic hotel is
situated on a bluff, surrounded by lush landscaping and has sweeping
panoramas of the Pacific Ocean. The hotel’s romantic costal charm has
made it a great overnight getaway for over 100 years.
Originally
constructed in the late 1920’s, the former Ventura Guarantee and Loan
is one of Ventura’s most stellar restorations. The building features a
beautiful wood-paneled interior, including three large murals by
renowned California painter Norman Kennedy, and the exterior has
magnificent brickwork accented by unique ceramic tiles. The location
now holds the Watermark on Main, a restaurant and rooftop lounge with a
synthesis of old and new; making it an essential dining destination in
Ventura, for historians and epicureans alike.
City Hall Centennial Activities
In
commemoration of the City Hall Centennial, three time capsules-
airtight 14” steel cubes- will be filled, buried, and join the existing
U.S. Bicentennial (1776-1976) and City of San Buenaventura Centennial
(1866-1966) time capsules buried by the landmark building’s front steps
to mark its 100
th birthday. Ventura is looking for ideas and
donations to include in the time capsules. Centennial Time Capsule
ideas and donations should be sent to Richard Newsham at
newsham@cityofventura.net or P.O. Box 99-501 Poli Street, Room 206, Ventura, CA 93002. City Hall Centennial dates and activities include,
July 4 & 25, 11am - 4pm: Historic exhibits and guided tours of the building's architecture, ‘ghosts’ and Municipal Art Collection (MAC).
July 15-19 Summer Art Camp 9am-12pm:
Students 9-14 year olds create artworks inspired by City Hall's
architecture and art with Focus on the Masters, meet MAC artists and
study various art forms in the Atrium. Register: $150 at 805.658.4726 or
www.cityofventura.net/recreation.
July 18 Dinner at the City 5pm: Purchase
tickets for an elegant feast hosted by Totally Local VC as a benefit
for Future Farmers of America, held on City Hall's expansive front
lawn. Info at
www.totallylocalvc.com
July 25 Open House, 11am - 4pm: Experience Ventura City Hall at work and attend:
- 2pm: Historic Preservation Workshops:
The Architectural Terra Cotta of City Hall (free) sponsored by the City
of Ventura Community Development Department, presented by Gary Kurutz
- 4pm: City Hall Centennial Sculpture unveiled & Time Capsule sealed (free) followed by birthday cake and refreshments, sponsored by the City of Ventura Public Art Program
More info about these events can be found at
www.cityofventura.net/cityhallcentennial.
For information on Ventura accommodations and attractions, visit www.ventura-usa.com
or phone 800-483-6215. A non-profit organization, the Ventura Visitors
& Convention Bureau enhances tourism and the economy by positioning
the City of Ventura as a visitor and conference destination. The
Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
