History of Ventura, California
Indigenous Peoples and Early Exploration
The area now known as Ventura, California was originally inhabited by the Chumash people for thousands of years prior to European exploration. The Santa Clara River Valley where Ventura lies was home to several Chumash settlements, including Shisholop village in what is now downtown Ventura.
The Chumash people lived off the plentiful natural resources of the valley, fishing steelhead and other fish species in the Santa Clara River and Pacific Ocean as well as gathering mollusks and crustaceans from coastal areas. The fertile lands along the river and valley also provided edible native plants to gather. The Chumash were skilled seafarers, fishermen, and traders.
Portola Expedition
The first Europeans to explore the Ventura region were members of a Spanish expedition led by Gaspar de Portola in 1769. Portola and his group were tasked with establishing colonial settlements known as presidios along the California coast by the Spanish Empire. On August 20, 1769, the expedition first reached the Santa Barbara Channel area near Ventura. Father Juan Crespi named the valley “La Canada de Santa Clara” as the group camped along the banks of the Santa Clara River.
Mission San Buenaventura
In 1782, Father Junipero Serra established the San Buenaventura Mission in order to convert and colonize the native Chumash people under the Spanish Empire rule. The mission was the ninth and last mission established by Father Serra. Over time the mission brought about drastic changes and decline among the native Chumash population due to the introduction of European diseases and assimilation efforts by the Spanish.
Mexican Independence to Early American Settlement
After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican secularization act of 1833 put an end to the mission era in California. Former mission lands were subsequently divided into large land grants and given to Mexican settlers to establish ranches. Some of the first American settlers began arriving overland to Alta California, many establishing homesteads on former mission lands.
Early American Settlers
Some of Ventura’s first American homesteaders include:
- Thomas R. Bard – Settled in Ventura County in 1853 and later served as United States Senator of California.
- D. F. Richards – Built and operated ferries carrying settlers across rivers like the Santa Clara prior to bridges being constructed.
Rancho Period Land Grants
Large portions of present-day Ventura were part of Mexican land grants given to prominent settlers:
- Rancho San Miguel – 48,866 acre grant awarded to Salvador Vallejo. Encompassed present-day Santa Paula and Fillmore.
- Rancho Santa Paula y Saticoy – 18,943 acre grant awarded to Manuel Jimeno Casarin. Located in Santa Clara River Valley.
- Rancho Ex-Mission San Buenaventura – 41,639 acre former mission lands grant.
1853: Ventura designated “Santa Barbara County” seat
In 1853 Ventura was designated as the official county seat of Santa Barbara County by then Governor of California John Bigler. At this point Ventura County had not yet split off and been established separate from Santa Barbara. Court proceedings were held in Ventura for Santa Barbara from this point forward.
Ventura County Split from Santa Barbara
As Ventura County’s population continued growing through the late 1800s, residents increasingly desired local self-governance separate from Santa Barbara County. After multiple failed bids to split from Santa Barbara throughout the 1860s and 70s, Ventura County was finally formally designated its own county by the California legislature in January 1873 with Ventura maintaining its position as county seat. Ranches, oil, agriculture, fishing, and shipping continued expanding Ventura’s population and economic vitality over the next decades into the early 20th century.
Key Dates
January 1, 1873 – Ventura County formally split from Santa Barbara County
1883 – The railroad reached Ventura, connecting the town and spurring economic growth.
March 10, 1898 – Ventura was officially incorporated as a city.
1913 – The historic Ventura Pier was opened just off California Street downtown. It replaced earlier more rudimentary wooden wharf structures.
20th Century Developments
Major events, industries, and developments that shaped Ventura as a city throughout the 20th century:
Agriculture
The temperate climate and fertile soil made agriculture an early booming industry in Ventura County following its founding. Citrus fruits, avocados, strawberries and other crops continue driving the local agricultural economy today.
Oil and drilling
Oil exploration and drilling first began in Ventura County beginning in the 1920s, with the Ventura Avenue Oil Field discovered in 1926 being a major early find and spurring more development. Today the county is one of the leading oil-producing areas in California.
Port expansion
The Port of Hueneme was purchased by the City of Oxnard from the War Department after WWII in 1947. It became the region’s main commercial deepwater port facility and experienced major expansions and development throughout the late 20th century alongside the thriving local economy.
Naval Base Ventura County
Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) originated in the 1930s and saw major growth during WWII bolstering the local economy. Today it encompasses three facilities – Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. It remains one of Ventura County’s most vital assets and industries.
Major industries today
Major industries still driving Ventura’s economy today:
- Agriculture
- Oil, gas, and mineral extraction
- Biotech and pharmaceuticals
- Defense and government contracting
- Tourism
21st Century Developments
More recent developments shaping Ventura this century include:
2017 Thomas Fire and 2018 Woolsey Fire
Ventura dealt with devastating back-to-back fires in late 2017 and 2018 driven by severe drought, Santa Ana winds, and climate change impacts:
- Thomas Fire – California’s largest wildfire at the time burned 281,893 acres from December 4, 2017 to January 12, 2018 across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Destroyed over 500 buildings.
- Woolsey Fire – Burned 96,949 acres from November 8-21, 2018 across Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Damaged or destroyed over 1,600 structures.
Current major initiatives and industries
Ventura continues working to shift its key industries and revitalize the area:
Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau
Ongoing tourism campaigns to promote Ventura as a desirable destination for visitors and events.
Downtown Ventura Partners
Non-profit focused on revitalizing downtown through initiatives like food and arts festivals.
Ventura BioCenter
New wet-labs bioscience incubator downtown to foster life science startups.
So in summary, Ventura’s history has been shaped by periods of early exploration, mission settlement, ranching, oil drilling and extraction, agricultural, port growth, and more recently devastating fires and economic revitalization efforts. It continues to leverage its coastal environment, resources, and key industries to foster growth.
Ventura Economy and Demographics Over Time
Below is a table summarizing how Ventura’s population, key industries, and income have shifted decade over decade:
Decade | Population | Key Industry/Events | Median Income |
---|---|---|---|
1860s | 300 | Cattle ranching, farming | N/A |
1870s | 800 | Agricultural growth after county founding | N/A |
1880s | 1,200 | Railroad spurring development | N/A |
1890s | 2,700 | Citrus, shipping | N/A |
1900s | 4,000 | Oil exploration begins | N/A |
1910s | 7,500 | Fishing, shipping via pier | N/A |
1920s | 11,600 | Oil boom | N/A |
1930s | 16,100 | Naval base establishes | N/A |
1940s | 19,400 | Port of Hueneme expands after WWII | N/A |
1950s | 32,500 | Agriculture peaks, suburban growth | $5,100 |
1960s | 57,964 | Tourism rise, light industry | $7,900 |
1970s | 77,047 | Population growth slows | $16,300 |
1980s | 92,575 | High-tech industries emerge | $27,400 |
1990s | 100,916 | Biotech/pharma industries grow | $54,300 |
2000s | 107,431 | Housing costs escalate | $76,500 |
2010s | 109,064 | Drought and fires damage housing/economy | $82,000 |
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