City of Ventura Historic Landmarks and Districts

Mission San Buenaventura, c. 1900

The City of Ventura Historic Landmarks and Districts consist of buildings, sites, and neighborhoods designated by the City of Ventura, California, as historic landmarks and districts.^[1]

The first six sites designated as Ventura Historic Landmarks (VHL) were selected in February 1974. They are: the Olivas Adobe (VHL No. 1), the Ortega Adobe (VHL No. 2), the Father Serra statue (VHL No. 3), Ventura City Hall (VHL No. 4), the Grant Park cross site (VHL No. 5), and the Mission Plaza archeological site (VHL No. 6). In July 1974, the City also designated a second group of landmarks, including the Conklin residence (VHL No. 7), the Mission San Buenaventura (VHL No. 10), the Mission's Norfolk pine trees (VHL No. 8), and two large Moreton Bay fig trees located in city parks (VHL Nos. 11-12).^[1]

As of April 10, 2018, the City had designated 111 sites as Ventura Historic Landmarks and five areas as Ventura Historic Districts.^[1] The first historic district designated by the city was the Mission Historic District, extending from Poli Street at the northern border to Santa Clara Street at the southern border, and from Ventura Avenue on the west to Palm Street on the east. The Mission Historic District consists of the oldest section of the city's downtown area and includes more than ten historic landmarks, including the Mission, the Mission Plaza archeological site, the Mission's Norfolk pines, the Mission Plaza Moreton Bay fig tree, Peirano Store (VHL No. 32), the Carlo Hahn House (VHL No. 78), the Mission Lavanderia (VHL No. 85), and China Alley (VHL No. 91).

A map depicting the location of Ventura's designated historic landmarks and districts can be viewed by clicking "OpenStreetMap" or "Google Maps" in the template found to the right below.

Landmarks

Districts

Other designations

Old Mission Reservoir

Other Ventura sites receiving historic designations:

• Thomas Gould Jr. House. American Craftsman style California bungalow at 402 Lynn Drive, built in 1924 and designed by Henry Greene of Greene and Greene. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

• Old Mission Reservoir. Part of the water system for Mission San Buenaventura (the settling tank or receiving reservoir; the site can be found in Eastwood Park); designated as California Historical Landmark No. 114.

• Santa Gertrudis Asistencia (Chapel) Monument. The structure was built in 1809 and ceased operation around 1840. The site was in the path of the Ojai freeway, and the remains were moved in 1968 with several foundation stones being used to create the monument. Located 0.3 miles north of the Avenue Water Treatment Facility (VHL 100) on the east side of the road, flanked by two cypress trees. Designated as Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 11 in December 1970.^[14]

• Five Trees. Five blue gum eucalyptus trees on the hilltop overlooking Ventura were designated in 1987 as Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 110. Joseph Sexton planted a row of 13 trees in 1898, but a 1903 fire destroyed all but five of the trees. Three of the remaining trees were cut down by vandals in 1940 but were replaced. In 1956, four of the trees were cut down, leaving only one. Replacement trees were planted in 1966 but only two remain.^[14]

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Ventura County, California
• California Historical Landmarks in Ventura County, California
• Ventura County Historic Landmarks & Points of Interest

References

1. "City of San Buenaventura Historic Landmarks & Districts". City of Ventura. May 3, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2018. Note: The list available on-line has 108 landmarks. Landmarks 109, 110, and 111 were added in 2017 and are included in the updated list available at Ventura City Hall.
2. Catherine Saillant (August 24, 2008). "Mission cross is a lasting Ventura landmark". Los Angeles Times. p. B2. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
3. Michele and Tom Grimm (November 22, 1981). "A Peek at the Past in Ventura". Los Angeles Times. p. VIII-8 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Saillant, Catherine (July 31, 2007). "Giant Ventura fig tree's fame may be its undoing". Los Angeles Times. p. B2.
5. "A New Life Awaits Ventura Theater". Los Angeles Times. June 9, 1988. pp. X1, X5 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Old Venue Readies for Resurgence". Los Angeles Times. October 24, 1997. pp. B1, B5 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Bohemia at the Beach". Los Angeles Times. October 27, 1988. p. IX-2 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Home of Mabel Owen made historic landmark". unknown – via Research Library at the Ventura County Museum (clipping is in Binder 3 of the library's binders on the Ventura Historic Landmarks).
9. "Andy's serves its fare in a restored home". Los Angeles Times. December 4, 1982.
10. Woods II, Wes (June 5, 2023). "Former Elks Lodge in downtown Ventura to become Hotel San Buena". Ventura County Star. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
11. "On The Mitchell Block: City District Has a Niche in History". Los Angeles Times. March 20, 1990.
12. "Simpson Tract Gets Historic Designation". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 1990.
13. "Ivy Lawn designated as cemetery historic district". VC Reporter. October 17, 2013.
14. "Ventura County Historical Landmarks & Points of Interest" (PDF). Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board. May 2016.