Did someone say happy birthday? Camarillo is proud to celebrate 60 years of incorporation, and what better way to commemorate it than by honoring the rich history of the historical landmarks and buildings that have shaped Camarillo into what it is today? As we take a stroll down memory lane, we’d like to tip our hats to these iconic and enduring monuments to progress, standing tall alongside the community for the past 60 years.
Without further ado, let’s take a look through the past!
St. Mary Magdalen Chapel
Directions to St. Mary Magdalen Chapel
Established in 1913 by Juan and Adolfo Camarillo, the St. Mary Magdalen Chapel was commissioned by Juan in honor of his parents Don Juan Camarillo and Martina Hernandez. Architect Albert C. Martin was tasked with designing it in the traditional mission style of the churches found in Mexico City, complete with the use of warm oak, marble statues, and stained glass windows. As both the city and parish grew, the necessity for a larger church became apparent, leading to the opening of the new St. Mary Magdalen church on Christmas Day 1975. While more modern, the church preserved the original mission style with its white stucco exterior, red tile roofing, use of earth tones, and colorful stained glass windows–honoring the Camarillo family legacy and timelessness of the architecture that has become synonymous with California’s mission heritage.
Camarillo Ranch
Directions to Camarillo Ranch House
The beautiful Camarillo Ranch was once owned by notable Camarillo landowner and prominent businessman, Adolfo Camarillo, who built the Queen Anne-style Mansion in 1892 for his new bride, Isabel. Designed by architects Herman Anlauf and Franklin Ward, together they created a beautiful three-story Victorian mansion complete with intricate woodwork, a wrap-around porch, a large veranda, the now historic red barn, and sprawling lawns sitting at the base of the Conejo Mountains. Adolfo Camarillo operated the ranch for 78 years until his death in 1958, finding significant success in transitioning the farm from focus on cattle to crops. In 1998, The Firm of Lopez Architects, A.I.A, of Camarillo, provided a Historic Preservation Rehabilitation to the house. Between 1999 and 2000, the City of Camarillo and the Camarillo Ranch Foundation would work together to complete the $1.5 million restoration of the house, barn, and stables on the property. With its final completion in 2001, the three-story, fourteen-room Queen Anne Victorian home has since become a fully furnished museum that also hosts community gatherings, private events, and educational opportunities for visitors, and students. The iconic property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
Camarillo Grove Park
Directions to Camarillo Grove Park
Camarillo Grove Park, spanning a breathtaking 24.5 acres, holds a significant place in the city of Camarillo’s history. Once a bustling stage coach stop, it served as a resting area where passengers could acquire sustenance and new horses could be prepared for the next leg of the journey. As the stage coach lost popularity in about 1915, the land’s use as a rest stop was no longer necessary. 87 years later, in 2002, the land would officially become designated as a park, preserving its historical value to the city and allowing the community to make use of it as well. Today, Camarillo Grove Park provides this community with a variety of amenities such as hiking trails, picnic areas, a dog park, and The Nature Center– which offers various outdoor education programs. The park is also home to the oldest tree in the district, a 6-foot Palmer’s Oak, which is believed to be about 13,000 to 18,000 years old. This park seamlessly blends the city’s past with its present, offering the community a way to soak up the beautiful landscape and the history of the land.
Camarillo Airport
Directions to Camarillo Airport
The Camarillo Airport was established in 1942, with modest offerings and a 5,000-foot runway which would later be expanded to meet the needs of the Cold War. By 1958, it had evolved into the Oxnard Air Force Base, equipped with four alert hangars, concrete ramps, a 9,000 foot runway, and a full community for the enlisted and administration. For almost 18 years this base provided critical air defense for the Southern California area. However, by December 1969 it was deactivated, with personnel and aircrafts transferred to other facilities. After its deactivation, The County of Ventura acquired the land through a 7 year-long negotiation and transformed the base into an airport for general aviation with a 6,000 foot runway. Today, the Camarillo Airport facilitates over 150,000 takeoffs and landings annually and is home to over 560 production, home built, and WWII-era aircraft.
Camarillo Public Library
Directions to Camarillo Public Library
The Camarillo Public Library first opened its doors to the community in 1974 as a charming and useful space. However, as the community continued to expand, the library became outdated and could no longer meet their needs. In 2003, the City of Camarillo secured essential funding to build a larger, more modern facility. By 2007, the new Camarillo Public Library—four times the size of the original—was opened to the public, and the former library was donated to a children’s museum. Today, the Camarillo Public Library is a vibrant beacon of education and community building, featuring a bookstore, Adult Reading Instruction Center, meeting rooms, a café, and, of course, lots of books.
Camarillo Premium Outlets
Directions to Camarillo Premium Outlets
The Camarillo Premium Outlets began its development process in the late 1980s, when the Camarillo City Council sought to drive locals to shop within its city limits. By this time the concept of outlet malls had gained popularity in the 1970’s, as they served as a way for manufacturers to sell surplus products. As popularity and demand continued to grow, the stores began to cluster together, creating what we know today as outlet malls. The Camarillo Premium Outlets officially opened as an outlet mall in 1995 and have expanded several times since, particularly in 1997 and 2009 when it was acquired by the Simon Property Group. Today, spanning 42-acre development and featuring 160 stores, it is the ideal shopping destination for locals and visitors alike!
CaLIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY channel ISLANDS
Directions to California State University Channel Islands
California State University Channel Islands is nestled at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, sitting on rich agricultural land that once housed the Camarillo State Mental Hospital, which operated from 1936 to 1997. Plans for the university first began in 1965, but it wasn’t until 1974 that Dr. Joyce Kennedy established the UC/CSU Ventura Learning Center. Fast forward to 1996 there were plans to expand and establish a four-year public college, and by 1997 the CSU Board of Trustees had unanimously chosen the former Camarillo State Hospital site as the perfect home for it. By 2007, the campus expanded by 153 acres, graduated its inaugural freshman class, and received its seven years accreditation from WASC. Today, the campus is made up of a blend of traditional Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, with modern expansions being added to accommodate projected growth–a fitting reflection of Camarillo’s rich history merging seamlessly with its bright future.
As the city of Camarillo has evolved over the past 60 years, so too have the buildings that serve as an accumulation of its history. Each historic landmark tells the story of a hard working community who saw all that Camarillo could become. To acknowledge a milestone like 60 years is about more than celebrating where the city is today– it’s also about paying tribute to the generations of people who came before and worked to lay a foundation for this success.
Plan your visit to Camarillo to explore these historic landmarks for yourself, and immerse yourself in the rich history that has shaped this community for the past 60 years!