Hillview Homes in Thousand Oaks in the Mid-1960s

Perhaps some of you live in the Hillview tract in Thousand Oaks, off of Erbes Road and Sapra Street.

"When you see the homes at Hillview you'll realize just how much you really knew about the home you've always wanted. It’s like coming home from a long journey - and you know the search for contentment and security is ended."

Care-free comfort and convenience includes electric built-in double ovens and countertop range, decorator carpeting, underground utilities and special added feature: ELECTRIC AIR CONDITIONING (included in price of home!).

"Here you can relax with family and friends in the quiet country charm of Thousand Oaks."

From $27,500 to $32,500 in 1966.

Wildwood Tract Thousand Oaks Ad From 1969

The year was 1969. Ten minutes ago, they got home from school, had a glass of milk and cookies...then went out to play. Wildwood in Thousand Oaks. Exciting new homes that have been designed to capture the natural beauty of their spectacular outdoors setting. "Begin an executive life as a 'country gentleman family.'" Starting from $31,950 for 3 to five bedrooms.

Roller Dome Thousand Oaks Originally Opened in the Spring of 1995

Roller Dome, which was located at 950 Avenida de Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks, closed its doors in October 2010.

Roller Dome originally opened in May 1995. "Roller Dome, a new roller skating facility...might be the best new rink in the country." - Richard Graham, Inline Hockey News.

Ah yes, the good ole days, with the occasional kids' birthday parties at Roller Dome.

The 99 Cents Only Store has been thriving in this spot since 2013.

COMPILATION OF ROLLER SKATING, ROLLER BLADING, ICE SKATING AND SKATEBOARDING VENUES IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Throwback: Grand Opening of Casa Conejo Estates in the Conejo Valley in 1960

Casa Conejo is an unincorporated Ventura County community located in Newbury Park. Effectively Casa Conejo is a rectangular shaped island within Thousand Oaks city limits. So to summarize, Casa Conejo is part of Newbury Park. Newbury Park is part of Thousand Oaks. But Casa Conejo is not part of Thousand Oaks. There will be a quiz on this tomorrow.

Casa Conejo has a population of approximately 3,200 residents, some of whom serve on the Casa Conejo Municipal Advisory Council.

This first planned community of Newbury Park premiered in 1960, four years before the City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated.

Back in 1960, these brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom homes on 1/3rd of an acre lots in Casa Conejo were going from $14,995 and up, with a $295 down payment.

“Whole new horizons in spacious living are yours…just minutes from the sun-drenched beach, inviting picnic areas at beautiful Sherwood Lake (which is now privately owned and not open to the public) and complete golfing facilities.” But best of all, these homes came with acoustic textured ceilings! :)

The Historic Elizabeth Bard Memorial Building in Downtown Ventura

Elizabeth Bard Memorial Building in Downtown Ventura is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Elizabeth Bard Memorial Building is located at Fir and Poli Streets in Ventura. Built in 1901, it operated as the Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital for 30 years. This building, listed as a Ventura Historic Landmark and added to the coveted National Register of Historic Places in 1977, is a Mission Revival structure featuring covered terraces and a covered porch with a three-story bell tower at the southeast corner.

In 1932 the building was sold to the County of Ventura and was used as county offices and as a detention facility. Eventually it fell into disrepair and was sold to private investors in 1982, after which it was extensively renovated...but the external facades were preserved.

Now it is home to a variety of businesses. Yours truly worked in this building for about a year many years ago. Great location! Close to the Ventura Botantical Gardens Trail, which is making a comeback from the Thomas Fire of 2017.

While the building is not open to the general public (unless you are visiting one of the businesses located in it), it is worth admiring this beautiful and historic part of Ventura County.

Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital in 1910.

Ventura and Oxnard Historical Pictures, Courtesy of the U.C. Cooperative Extension

The University of California Cooperative Extension brings research-based information to Californians.  It is an educational outreach program, that, with the help of thousands of volunteers, assists with nutrition and 4-H youth development programs, agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, gardening and other areas.  For more information, visit http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu.

Through the UCCE website I came across this really neat slideshow with historical pictures of Ventura and Oxnard from mid to late 1800s to the early 1900s.  The slideshow was originally created in 1963.  There are interesting and informative descriptions with each photo.  Many thanks to Steve Griffin of the U.C. Cooperative Extension in Ventura who patched the original pictures and descriptions together to make this available to the public.

Historic Japanese Cemetery in Oxnard is Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 18

Located at the east corner of Etting and Pleasant Valley Roads in Oxnard (between Rose and Rice Avenues) is the Historic Japanese Cemetery, circa 1908. The site was designated Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 17 in June 1971.

From time to time I drive by this awkwardly situated cemetery, a narrow sliver sandwiched between the hustle and bustle of Pleasant Valley Road and a mobile home park to the north and a residential area to the south.

NOTE: The cemetery was vandalized on 6/19/17. The Ventura County Japanese American Citizens League is leading the effort to restore the cemetery. Learn more at venturacountyjacl.weebly.com/cemetery-restoration.html.

According to the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board, the Japanese Cemetery was given by the Masonic Lodge to the Japanese community at a time when the Japanese were not permitted to own land in California. The larger Masonic cemetery lies to the east of the Japanese plot. The markers are wooden boards on which inscriptions in Japanese are printed. The last burials were around 1960.

The site has been cleaned up in recent years by the Ventura County Japanese American Citizens League.