A Bit of History Behind the Origination of the Conejo Valley Unified School District

View of the Conejo Valley from the Los Robles Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Valley spans southeastern Ventura County and northwestern Los Angeles County. Communities in the Conejo Valley include Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Lake Sherwood and a portion of Calabasas,

The Conejo Valley Unified School District was created July 1, 1974, unifying the following previous school districts:

• Timber School District (founded in 1888)

• Valley Oaks Union School District (founded in 1960 and formerly Conejo School District, founded 1877 and Santa Rosa School District, founded 1912).

• Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks High Schools (formerly part of Oxnard Union High School District, founded in 1901).

The Timber School was established as the first school in Newbury Park in 1889. The original school was constructed at the intersection of what is now Newbury and Kelley Roads in Newbury Park. The original Timber School was a one room schoolhouse that was demolished to make way for the new, larger Timber School House erected in front of the original school in 1924. The Timber School Auditorium was built in 1948.

The Timber School House and Auditorium buildings at 1872 Newbury Road, Newbury Park represent City of Thousand Oaks Landmark No. 12 and Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 166.

A replica of the original Timber School House was built at the Stagecoach Inn Museum complex in 1995 by students of Newbury Park High School under direction of teacher, Randy Porter.

Replica of the original Timber School at the Stagecoach Inn Museum.

Photo of the original Timber School in 1889.

Formed in 1877, the Conejo School District predates the Timber School District. It was created at a time when there were 126 residents in the Conejo Valley, including 54 children under age 17. After operating for 4 months in a shanty on the ranch of Howard Mills, parents voted to assess $750 for a building that was constructed on two acres of land donated by Mills. The structure was called “Conejo School” and was located near what is now the northwest corner of Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road.

As a result of the terrible drought in late 1870s to early 1880s, many ranchers had to leave the area. The Mills property was sold to the Russell family. Abigail Russell, wife of Andrew Russell, struggled to keep the Conejo School open. Eventually, a new Conejo School was built and opened in 1929 at the current location of Conejo Elementary School at 280 N. Conejo School Road in Thousand Oaks. The original school built in 1929 was demolished in 1957 due to unsafe earthquake standards.

Learn more about the Timber School and Conejo School districts on the Stagecoach Inn Museum website at stagecoachinnmuseum.com/timber-school.

Students at Conejo School in 1941 (Photo donated by Gerald Olsen to the Conejo Through the Lens collection, Grant R. Brimhall Library, Thousand Oaks).

Today, the Conejo Valley Unified School District in Ventura County serves Thousand Oaks and its communities of Newbury Park and the Ventura County portion of Westlake Village. As of spring 2025, the district is comprised of the following schools:

• Four preschool/early child care schools: CVUSD Preschool - Early Childhood Program, Wonder Preschool, Horizon Hills Parenting Program, Be Me Preschool Program (play-based and language enriched program for ages 3 to 5 eligible for special education)

• Eighteen elementary (K-5) schools: Acacia Magnet School for Enriched Learning, Aspen, Banyan, Conejo Academy of Leadership and Language Immersion, Cypress, EARThS Magnet, Glenwood, Ladera STARS Academy, Lang Ranch, Madroña Academy of the Arts and Sciences, Maple, SHINE Homeschool, Sycamore Canyon, Walnut, Weathersfield, Westlake, Westlake Hills, Wildwood

• Eight middle schools: Century Academy, Colina, Los Cerritos, Outdoor School, Redwood, Sequoia, SHINE Homeschool, Sycamore Canyon

• Six high schools: Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Conejo Valley, Century Academy, SHINE homeschool

• Homeschool and Hybrid Learning: SHINE: Homeschool Program (TK-12), Century Academy (grades 6-12)

• Two Adult and Post-Secondary Programs: The Conejo Valley Adult Education, Conejo Oaks Academy (post-secondary program)

The Conejo Valley USD website is www.conejousd.org.

Tell Me a Little Bit About Newbury Park

Newbury Park is a community located in the western portion of Thousand Oaks. Most of Newbury Park became part of Thousand Oaks by community vote sometime in the 1960s and 1970s. Thousand Oaks became a city in October 1964.

A view of Newbury Park from Boney Peak in October 2021. (Feet Model: Conejo Joe)

Egbert Starr Newbury (Photo Courtesy Conejo Valley Historical Society)

Newbury Park is named after Egbert Starr Newbury, who owned thousands of acres of land in the Conejo Valley after moving to California from Michigan for health reasons in 1871.  Newbury was one of the three largest Conejo Valley landowners of his time. He and his wife Fannie became the first postmasters in the Conejo Valley in 1875.  The post office was located in a small compound near their house, which was located at the current location of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. 

The other major landowners at that time were John Edwards, who owned much of the current Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks area north of the 101, and Howard Mills, who owned much of what today is Westlake Village and Hidden Valley.

Edwards sold 10,000 acres of what is now central Thousand Oaks to Edwin and Harold Janss in 1893.  The Janss Corporation also bought thousands of acres of land in Newbury Park (Friedrich, Running Springs and Borchard Ranches) in 1962. 

There were efforts to incorporate Newbury Park in 1961 and 1963 that failed due to a lack of sufficient votes.

Over a 30 month period beginning in the Fall of 1876, only 6 inches of rain fell in the Conejo Valley.  This drought brought devastation to landowners, most of whom lost their crops and livestock and had to sell at a loss or went bankrupt.  The Newburys were no exception; they moved back to the midwest in 1877.  Egbert fell ill to pneumonia in 1880 and passed away at the young age of 36.

The Newburys lived here only six years, so why is it still called Newbury Park? Because the name of the Newburys' post office never changed! The Newbury Park Post Office has changed locations a number of times (including 1602 Newbury Road from May 1968 until it moved to its current location at 3401 Grande Vista Drive in 2013). So the Newbury name and legacy live on here in the Conejo Valley.

Horse tied to a sign indicating the Newbury Park Post Office, in 1909. The location was near modern-day Lynn Ranch. (Courtesy of the Thousand Oaks Library Local History Photo Collection).

Sources: "The Conejo Valley - Old and New Frontiers" by Carol A. Bidwell and "The Newburys of Newbury Park" by Miriam Sprankling

But wait...there's more to Newbury Park! Casa Conejo is also part of the Newbury Park community but is not an incorporated part of Thousand Oaks. It is considered a census-designated place in Ventura County, with its own Municipal Advisory Council. Casa Conejo is the first planned community in Newbury Park and was built in the early 1960s. It has an area of .5 square mile and is bound by Borchard to the south, Old Conejo Road to the north, Jenny Drive (east of Newbury Park High School) to the west and Sequoia Middle School to the east.

TELL ME ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE STREET NAMES IN THE CASA CONEJO NEIGHBORHOOD

Interested in historical pictures of the area going back to the 1950s?  Click here to read about the work of prolific Conejo Valley photographer, Ed Lawrence. 

Click here for a history of Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks is over 56 square miles and Newbury Park represents about 40% of that square footage. Thousand Oaks was incorporated as a city on October 7, 1964.

Three dozen or so things to do in Newbury Park

Another three dozen or so kids' activities in Newbury Park

Yet another three dozen or so sports and fitness activities in Newbury Park

Earth Day Events In and Around Ventura County

Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22nd each year since 1970. Earth Day events celebrate the planet we live on and helps to renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world. Here is a compilation of 2025 Earth Day as well as Arbor Day events in Ventura County and neighboring areas.

Sat 4/12: Calabasas Earth Day Festival (2-5PM)

Sat 4/19: Arbor/Earth Day Celebration in Thousand Oaks (10AM-2PM)

Sat 4/19: Ventura Earth Day Festival (11AM-4PM)

Fri 4/25: Earth Day Event in Simi Valley (3:30-5:30PM)

Sat 4/26: Earth Day Festival in Westlake Village (3-8PM)

Sat/Sun 4/26-27: Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival (11AM)

Sat 5/3 Moorpark Earth Festival & Arbor Day Celebration (9AM-1PM)

Easter Egg Hunts and Other Fun Easter Activities Around Ventura County

Here at Conejo Valley Guide we have a special place in our heart for Easter fun! The bunnies of the Conejo Valley and surrounding Ventura County areas are planning ahead to make this Easter memorable.

We have the Germans to thank for the Easter Bunny concept, which came about in the 1500s. Hares and bunnies are signs of fertility and eggs signify rebirth. The Germans brought Easter traditions to America and it wasn't until after the Civil War that Easter became widely celebrated.

Easter Sunday 2025 is April 20th! Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox. As a result, Easter Sunday ranges from March 22nd to April 25th

Upcoming Easter season events and activities in and around Ventura County (list will be updated regularly; dates/time subject to change, so check with event organizers to be sure):

March 22-23, 29-30 Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sat, April 5: Springtime at the Adobe at Leonis Adobe Calabasas (1-4pm)

Sat, April 5: The Hunt Holiday Egg Hunt in Ventura (10am-3pm: RSVP required)

Sat, April 5: Easter Bunny Arrival and Family Fun at the Simi Valley Town Center (11am-5pm)

Fri, April 11: Flashlight Egg Hunt at 5 Locations in Thousand Oaks (6-9pm)

Sat, April 12: The Bunny Trail Junior Egg Hunt in Calabasas (SOLD OUT)

Sat, April 12: Breakfast with the Bunny at Reyes Adobe Park in Agoura (SOLD OUT)

Sat, April 12: Selfies with the Bunny at The Collection at Riverpark (1-3PM)

Thu, April 17: Spring Egg Hunt at Century Academy/Shine Homeschool Thousand Oaks (RSVP)

Sat, April 19: Egg Scramble Event at Rancho Santa Susana Park in Simi Valley (9-10am)

Sat, April 19 Easter Eggstravaganza Event in Camarillo (10am-1pm)

Sat, April 19: City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt (10am-1pm; Purchase wristbands in advance beginning March 3rd)

Sat, April 19: Egg Scramble Event Mae Boyar Park in Oak Park (9:30-11:30am)

Sat, April 19: Selfies with the Bunny at The Collection at Riverpark (1-3pm)

Sat, April 19: Spring Conejo & Easter Hunt at Stagecoach Inn Museum (1-4pm)

Sun, April 20: Easter Egg Hunt at Christ the King Newbury Park (11am)

Sun, April 20: Easter Sunrise Service at Pierce Brothers Westlake Village (6am)

Sun, April 20: Easter Egg Hunt at the Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge (noon)

Sun, April 20: Meet & Greet with the Seaside Bunny at Ventura Harbor Village (1-4pm)

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Mar 22 to Apr 21; Springtime Easter Festival at Underwood Family Farms

Mar 24 to Mar 28: Visit the Bunny at Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley

Mar 28 to Apr 19: Photos with the Bunny at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura

Mar 21 to Apr 19: Bunny Photos at The Oaks Mall

April 1-30: Spring Scavenger Hunt at The Collection at Riverpark

April 5-6, 12-19: Bunny Photos at the Simi Valley Town Center

Twelve of My Favorite Things To Do in the City of Simi Valley

The City of Simi Valley was incorporated on October 10, 1969, less than 3 months after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on the Moon. The City covers 42 square miles and as of 2013 was home to just over 126,000 people. Simi Valley is neighbors with Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and the San Fernando Valley.

According to the City's website, the name of the Chumash Indian Village “Shimiji” is believed to be the origin of the City’s name and Ta’apu is the origin of the names of Tapo Street and Tapo Canyon.

But enough of that. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Simi Valley.

I love hiking the Long Canyon Trail, with its views of Wood Ranch, Bard Lake and the rest of Simi Valley (not to mention you can hike to Lang Ranch in Thousand Oaks from here).

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is a 220 seat theater at 3050 Los Angeles Avenue that hosts musicals, concerts, exhibits, children's theater and other events year-round.  The theater is a landmark Gothic structure built in the 1920s that was named Ventura County Historical Landmark #67 in July 1981. Visit www.simi-arts.org to learn more.

Views from the Long Canyon Trail

The magnificent Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is a major draw to Simi Valley. This 243,000 sq ft museum at the top of 100 acres of land is a must see for its interactive displays, history, Air Force One and outstanding rotating exhibits. And the views, particularly on clear days, are quite memorable.

Lazertag Extreme opened in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley in 2013 and at over 5,000 sq ft is a great indoor, multi-level laser tag facility and arcade.

Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village is a historical and cultural landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located on a residential lot that contains shrines, walkways, sculptures and buildings from recycled items and discards, built over a 25 year old period by Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey. An eyesore to some, a one-of-a-kind treasure to others. Open periodically to the public as the site is restored.

Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 and Simi Valley Town Center host an impressive display at the Museum of Military History Posters and Memorabilia. There are hundreds of military posters and historical artifacts on display that have been graciously provided by local veterans and collectors.

Museum of Military History Posters and Memorabilia in Simi Valley

There are no bowling alleys in the Conejo Valley, which means we have to drive elsewhere for our bowling fix! The closest bowling alley to the center of Thousand Oaks is Harley's Simi Bowl, about 10 miles away off of Highway 23 and Madera Road. This is a 24 lane alley that gets the job done.

The other bowling alley in Simi Valley is on the east end, about 20 miles from Thousand Oaks. Harley's Valley Bowl (formerly Brunswick Zone) has 40 lanes and a large arcade/game room area. Another great choice for fun in Simi Valley. Now why is it that Simi has 64 bowling lanes yet we still have none in the Conejo Valley? Sheesh.

The Mt. McCoy Trail is located on the west side of Simi Valley, just a short hop, skip and jump around the corner from the Reagan Library. You can't miss the hill because there's a large, white cross at the top. A bit over a mile of well-maintained switchbacks takes you to the top.

Views galore from Mt. McCoy Trail peak.

Simi Valley Days takes place in mid-September each year over a four day period. The event has a long history, going back to 1934. It is a community celebration with carnival rides, games, live music, vendors, food, a parade and much more. 

Visit a fully restored Southern Pacific Railroad depot circa 1903 with both freight and passenger trains rushing by day and night at the Santa Susana Depot Museum and Model Railroad. Open on weekends from 1-4 pm, the depot is also home to the Santa Susana Model Railroad Club’s large operating HO scale model railroad, in a layout that portrays Simi Valley during the mid 1950’s. This is a lot of fun to see. And outside, you and the kids will be treated to up close views of Amtrak and Metrolink passenger trains rolling by. Wave and they'll honk at you.

The pristine Studio Movie Grill opened at the Simi Valley Town Center in October 2015. This 41,000 sq ft theater features 9 screens and over 950 seats. 

There is plenty more to see and do in Simi Valley that is not on this particular list. Check out:

• Upcoming events in Simi Valley

• Things to do in Simi Valley (all ages)

• Things to do in Simi Valley (geared towards kids)

• Fitness and sports activities in Simi Valley

Ventura County Area Crime Maps Online

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office serves the County of Ventura and five contract cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks. There is a wealth of information on the VC Sheriff's website at www.venturasheriff.org, including phone numbers for patrol stations.

One tool available that shows recent crimes in these jurisdictions is located at CrimeMapping.com, a website that provides information, in map format about crimes committed on a rolling 180 day basis.

To use CrimeMapping.com, simply go to the site and type in a location - address, landmark or zip code. From there, you’ll see a map of crimes reported over the most recent week, which is the default time frame. You can change this time frame using filters on the site, up to 180 days’ worth of data. Here’s what the map looked like over a 180 day period:

You can learn more about individual crimes by clicking the icons on the map. Crimes include arson, assault, burglary, disturbing the peace, drug/alcohol violations, DUI, fraud, homicide, auto theft, robbery, sex crimes, theft/larceny, vandalism, vehicle break-in and weapons.

The number 3 in a red circle in the image above indicates multiple records. I clicked it and there were 2 possession of a controlled substance - one in the 300 block of Hillcrest Drive on July 17th at 1:30pm and the other in the 2400 block of Hillcrest Drive on July 17th at 12:30pm. The third violation was fraudulent use of access card on April 1st at midnight.. Note that exact addresses are not provided; they report as specific as block number.

The first icon at the bottom right side of the image was an assault (battery) in the 2200 block of E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard at 10:05am on August 7th.

You may also create alerts on the CrimeMapping site that are sent to you via email. Click “Receive Alerts,” choose location (city, landmark, address or zip) and search distance (ranges from 500 feet to 2 miles).

Century Lake at Malibu Creek State Park

According to the Malibu Creek Docents, around 1903, the Crags Country Club constructed a 50 foot tall dam on its 2,000 acre property on what is now Malibu Creek State Park. The dam created a seven acre lake that club members used for fishing and duck hunting.

The Club closed in 1936, and 10 years later, 20th Century Fox Studios purchased the property to film movies and TV shows on what was renamed Century Ranch. The 1968 "Planet of the Apes" featured many prominent scenes shot here.

This is an awesome video showing Planet of the Apes (1968) film scenes at Malibu Creek State Park and local area beaches then and today.

As for the lake, it is now referred to as Century Lake, a hiking destination in Malibu Creek State Park. Only 1 1/2 miles from the parking area, Century Lake is in a secluded area, where you can eat your lunch at the picnic table and enjoy serenity (usually, depending on who else is there). I believe it is fine to wade in the water and even kayak in there if desired. although I've never seen anyone do so.

Century Lake is a left hand turn from the main Crags Road trail, after cresting the only significant hill going down the other side. The only indicator is this narrow sign.

The hike has a moderately steep hill in it, but otherwise is quite flat and easy to do with kids and/or a stroller.

Malibu Creek State Park has something for everyone...camping, a visitor center, the "Rock Pool," the M*A*S*H set, the old Reagan Ranch, Century Lake, over 35 miles of trails, rock climbing (near the Rock Pool) and more.

The Century Dam is shown in this image. You don't wanna fall down that dam. Off limits.