Ventura County California

Ventura County. Organized in 1872. Bounded north by San Luis Obispo and Kern, east by Los Angeles, south and southwest by the Pacific Ocean, and west by the Ocean and Santa Barbara, and includes the islands of Anacapa and San Nicholas. Area, 1,380 square miles. Assessed valuation of property for 1874, $2,911,065. County seat, San Buenaventura. Principal towns, Hueneme, Nordhoff, Santa Paula and Saticoy. Resources, agricultural and mineral. The county was formed by Act of the Legislature of 1871-2 out of the eastern portion of Santa Barbara. Rincon creek, and a line running north from its source being the western boundary. The surface is much broken and mountains in the northeastern part rise to the height of between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, the Sierras, San Rafael, Santa Inez, San Monica and Santa Susanna being the principal ranges, and the Buenaventura and Santa Clara the principal rivers. The hilly country is well covered with nutritious grasses, and vast numbers of sheep and cattle graze throughout the county. The Santa Clara River, which rises in the Soledad Pass, in Los Angeles County, runs in a broad and fertile valley through Ventura, where is one of the best agricultural regions of the State. The climate is mild and generally pleasant, snow and frosts being seldom seen unless in the highest mountains. Fruit of every variety is grown from the most hardy varieties of the northern temperate zone to the most delicate of the tropical border. The county is undoubtedly rich in minerals, the section having long been distinguished for its asphaltum and sulphur, both in apparently inexhaustible quantities. Gold is found in small quantities, the mines of Santa Feliciana being the first ever worked on the Pacific Coast. Placer and quartz veins are known, but the interest is not fully developed. Discoveries of cinnabar have been made, also of gypsum, potters' clay, and other minerals. Great expectations have been entertained of obtaining flowing wells of petroleum, and progress with encouraging prospects has been made in mining and boring for it, and although much oil is obtained, no wells like those of the Pennsylvania oil region have been struck. Although no deep bay or river mouth forming a harbor exists on the coast, there are numerous accessible and safe landings, and wharves have been built extending directly into the ocean, which are undisturbed by storms. At Point Hueneme and at San Buenaventura are the principal landings, and at both places the steamers of the various companies touch regularly, and a large commerce is carried on. The coast line of stages, carrying daily mail and express, passes through the principal towns, and the telegraph also offers ready communication. Officers: Milton Wason, County Judge; John T. Stow, Clerk, Recorder and Auditor; Ben T. Williams, District Attorney; John B. Stone, Sheriff and Tax Collector; Evan A. Edwards, Treasurer; John Z. Barnett, Assessor; Edward T. Hare, Surveyor; C. L. Bard, Coroner and Public Administrator; F. S. S. Buckman, Superintendent Public Schools.

California Gazetteer | AHGP California

Source: Pacific Coast Business Directory for 1876-78, Compiled by Henry G. Langley, San Francisco, 1875