Oxnard California History

Oxnard’s moniker "the land of everlasting summer" was bestowed upon the city in 1542 by Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo. Prior to Cabrillo’s arrival, the Chumash Indians were the earliest inhabitants. Round thatched houses provided shelter for the Indians. Large wooden-plank canoes were used for transported through the Pacific Ocean. Over the years, a number of Spanish explorers descended on the coastal area. In 1782, a Mission was established by Father Junipero Serra. Sprawling ranches soon were developed, and a town was formed. Immigrants began to pour in from the East coast of America and Europe. Agriculture was the catalyst to the flourishing community. The main industry was barley and lima beans. A bank was opened in 1882, which encouraged and assisted farmers to continue their endeavor. Fifteen years later a man by the name of Henry Oxnard was hired to construct a factory to process red beets - a profitable crop for the area. Oxnard and his three brothers built a factory in the heart of the fields. A Southern Pacific Railroad line was built to the industrial unit so the processed beets could be shipped out. The town grew exponentially; schools and churches surfaced rapidly. By 1903 the City of Oxnard was incorporated, taking its name from the Oxnard brothers. Businesses ensued bringing restaurants, laundries, and saloons. The first public library was erected in 1907, and still stands at present. The 1940’s and 50’s brought military bases, and manufacturing industry to Oxnard. Today, tourism has been added to the roster of industries.