Thread by @jeffbrews

As part of the 2nd Annual Heritage Days, the Camarillo Old Town Association is creating a 25 stop historical walking tour starting at @MetrolinkVC station. Thread is our first draft of proposed route, photos and sign content. #VenturaCounty150 @CityCamarillo @MuseumVenturaCo

Stop 1 - Camarillo Depot
Completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad spur from Oxnard in 1899 marked the area's transition from farms and ranchos to a small town. SPRR completed the depot in 1910 which sparked the construction of many commercial buildings in the neighborhood

Stop 2 - Origin
In 1899 Adolfo Camarillo built a mercantile near the tracks (right in photo) for John Sebastian. Sebastian applied for a new "Calleguas" post office which was rejected due to its name. In 1901, the name Camarillo was accepted and a new town was officially born.

Stop 3 - Route to the Sea
Camarillo was a key stop when El Camino Real was created in 1906. Before Roosevelt Highway was completed along the coast, motorists turned at Camarillo (now Dawson Dr) to reach coast. Seaside, one of the first service station chains, operated on corner

Stop 4 - Conejo Inn
The offerings of the Conejo Inn can still be seen on these walls. Built in 1917, it was a welcome rest stop for early motorists traveling over the Conejo Grade. The steep windy road was notorious for white knuckles and queasy stomachs.

Stop 5 - The Town "Triangle"
The intersection of Somis and Ventura Blvd was the center of early Camarillo. Many of the early commercial buildings were on the south-side of Ventura Blvd. The center flagpole was a gathering spot. Santa would arrive there to hand out out presents.

Stop 6 - Buckhorn Saloon
Originally opened in 1906 in a wooden structure, the Buckhorn moved to unit next to Conejo Inn in 1917. It survived Prohibition by operating as a pool hall and soda fountain. When it finally closed in 2006, it had the oldest liquor license in the county.

Stop 7 - Stairs to Chapel Courtyard
Take the stairs up to chapel courtyard which was modeled after the one at the Santa Barbara Mission. Sit and enjoy the views. (Chapel is Stop 10)

Stop 8 - Fulton Hotel
Constructed in 1915 near this location, the hotel was elegant Victorian-style with gabled-roof and wraparound porch. The legend is that operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition, burning down in mysteriously in 1927. Its foundation remained for years.

Stop 9 - Mid Block
The building housing Malone's Metaphysical was built in 1928 as a harness maker and shoe repair shop.
Bone Deep building was constructed in 1952 as a liquor store.
Gabe's barbershop is carrying on the the tradition of a barber operating here since 1937.

Stop 10 - St Mary Magdalen Chapel
Juan Camarillo built the chapel in 1913 to honor his parents and named for Juan and Adolfo's oldest sister, Magdalena. Its hilltop location and mission revival style made it prominent in Pleasant Valley and worthy of a stop along El Camino Real

Stop 11 - Fulton St
Originally the corner of Fulton St. Joe Hernandez opened a 76 service station in 1951. His Seaside Gasoline location east of the railroad was razed for freeway construction. Hernandez also lived on Davenport St, where all houses were demolished for the 101.

Stop 12 - Firehouse
The firehouse and adjacent community center were completed in 1941 from combined efforts of Juan and Adolfo Camarillo and the County of Ventura. It housed the library, courthouse and offices of Constable, Ag Commission, and County Supervisor Robert Lefever

Stop 13 - Dizdar Park
The Pleasant Valley Cemetery was built here in 1874. By 1945, the cemetery had been neglected while the town children had no park to play in. Mike Dizdar funded the relocation of graves and the construction of a new park. Park is named in his honor.

Stop 14 - J.F. Lewis and Sons Building
Stein & Talley department store opened in 1916 as the "Harrods" of Camarillo. Inside was a post office, shoes, clothing, meat market and grocery store with delivery service. The store was a victim of the Great Depression closing in 1932

Stop 15 - Adolfo Camarillo Statue
Statue was dedicated on October 29, 2000 on the 136th anniversary of Adolfo's birthday. Wearing his trademark caballero suit and astride his favorite horse, Diamante, the statue honors his legacy of public service and charitable contributions.

Stop 16 - El Camino Real Bell
This the original bell erected in 1906 on the west end of town along Ventura Blvd. Adolfo Camarillo was one of the boosters that created the route to spur visitors by cars to the area.

Stop 17 - News
Completed in 1916, these 3 units originally housed from the Farmers Bank, barbershop and candy store. In 1926 the candy store became Camarillo News, the county's first weekly morning paper. By 1977, it was publishing daily with a Sunday edition at larger location.

Stop 18 - Knob Hill Garage
Built in 1912 as 2 car garage for Joseph Lewis, it transitioned to repairing/refueling cars along El Camino Real. A mission facade to hides its corrugated steel roof. In the 1950's the garage moved across the street to where Tire store operates today.

Stop 19 - Yellow House
The Yellow House is a Craftsman constructed by Dorsey Stewart between 1915 and 1920. In the 1940's it started to be used for commercial purposes. Another Craftsman built adjacent to the east of the house was demolished in 1959.

Stop 20 - Dorothy's
Opened in 1944 as Carmen's Snack Bar, the restaurant soon became Dorothy's Chuckwagon which operated until 2022. The coffee shop was a regular community meeting place. In the early 1960's plans to incorporate the city were created during many meetings here.

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