Tag Archives: Ventura

Olivas Adobe

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About Olivas Adobe

Don Raymundo Olivas was granted 4,670 acres by the Mexican governor of California in 1847. Don Raymundo Olivas named his ranch Rancho San Miguel and built a house on the property for his large family. This house was later expanded to be two stories, and is the structure seen today. Don Raymundo raised cattle on the land and profited greatly from the gold rush. Don Raymundo died in 1879 and his land was parceled off to his heirs. The house was sold outside the family in 1899 but some portion of the Rancho remained in family hands until 1968. The adobe was purchased and restored by Max Fleischman in 1927 and gifted to the city of Ventura upon his death and opened as a museum in 1972.

Ghost Stories

The most famous supernatural inhabitant of the Olivas Adobe is the Woman in Black. She has been seen wandering the grounds and passing from room to room at all times of day by numerous people. The most common theory as to her identity is that of Teodora Olivas, Don Raymundo’s wife.

A man’s face has been seen looking in to a second story bedroom window. The window is to the room known as the “children’s room.” The face is said to resemble that of Nicolas Olivas, Don Raymundo’s eldest son. The Lady in Black has been seen looking out of the window onto the courtyard below.

Our Review

Unfortunately the Adobe was closed when we stopped by to visit, so we were unable to conduct a thorough investigation and review of the site.

Landmark No. 78

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About Landmark No. 78

The building that now houses the restaurant Landmark No. 78 was built between 1912 and 1914 by Carlo Hahn on land given to him by his brother-in-law, Giovanni Ferro. Ferro lived next door in the Schiappapietra Mansion. The Hahn house was built to compliment the mansion, and was therefore built in the same architectural style as its more impressive neighbor despite that style, Italianate, being 30 years out of date. The Schiappapietra Mansion was demolished in the 1950s, but the Hahn house remained in use as a private residence until 1971 when it was sold and converted into a restaurant. It was during its conversion that the front porch was enclosed and the addition on the eastern side of the building was constructed. The building is named after the landmark number assigned to it by the city of Ventura.

Ghost Stories

Landmark No. 78 is said to be haunted by the ghost of Rosa, the ghost of an Italian who immigrated to Ventura in the late 1800s with her family. It is said that she was forced into marriage by her father to a man whom she did not love nor loved her. In an attempt to find some happiness in her life, she had an affair. When she became pregnant as a result of this affair, she hanged herself in desperation. It is unclear where she was hanged, but it could not have been in the Carlo Hahn house as it was not yet built. People claim to have seen her staring longingly out of the round window on the second floor, walking down the staircase in a long elegant dress, in the banquet room, and the woman’s restroom.

Our Review

Mission San Bueneventura

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About Mission San Buenaventura

Mission San Buenaventura was founded on Easter Sunday in 1782 by Father Junipero Serra; the last mission founded by the famous monk. The current chapel was built between 1793 and 1809 after the previous church was destroyed by a fire. In 1893 the interior of the church was remodeled and updated to a more contemporary style, and the original artwork and murals were painted over. It was restored to a more traditional mission style in 1957. It still operates as a parish church to this day. All that remains of the mission are the chapel and a small garden. Also on the site is a Catholic School and a small museum and gift shop. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Historic Landmark.

Ghost Stories

A ghostly monk is said to appear wandering through the chapel and grounds. In some reports, the monk will only appear to Catholics.

Our Review

It is fair in comparison to the other California Missions that we have visited. The chapel is still a functioning catholic church, and the grounds are beautiful. Most of the mission complex beside the chapel and the courtyard has been razed, which is unfortunate.

Memorial Park

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About Cemetery Memorial Park

In 1862 citizens of Ventura recognizing the need for a cemetery create the town’s first city cemetery. The largest portion of the cemetery is reserved for Catholics with three small sections for protestants; Jews; and Chinese, Indians, and other races. In 1944 the cemetery becomes full, but within five years there are already plans to develop the land. A hedge is built around the perimeter to hide the cemetery, which is in a state of disrepair. The park is frequently vandalized (partially, I assume, because while the hedge hides the decaying cemetery, it also hides the vandals.) In 1963 a plan was adopted, despite protest, to turn the cemetery into a city park. Supposedly, letters were sent to any decedents of people buried in the cemetery informing them of the decision. The tombstones were removed in 1964 and put into storage for family members to pick up if desired. Many relatives claim they were not informed of the decision to remove the headstones. Those buried in crypts and mausoleums are buried below ground. In 1965 the land officially became a city park. Families who had requested it can have a bronze plaque placed on the site of their ancestors grave. In 1972 unclaimed tombstones are ground up and used in a levee. (We also heard that they were thrown into a canyon)

Ghost Stories

It is said that a teenager hung himself from a tree in the park, and his swinging body can still sometimes be seen in the tree. There are also reports of cold spots and a malicious presence.

Our Review

We both felt that the actions of the city towards this cemetery now park are deplorable. The lack of any marker identifying the park’s history, the location of the graves, or even the park’s name is inconceivable. We would urge the city leaders of Ventura to rectify any of these deficiencies as soon as possible. While we were visiting the site people were walking their dogs though the park, and we all know what dogs do on grass.

Victorian Rose B&B

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About the Victorian Rose

One of the most unique inns you are likely to come across, the Victorian Rose Bed & Breakfast is a converted church. Built in 1888, the church features a 96 foot tall steeple and stained glass windows. The building housed two different congregations consecutively (the first moved to a different building) and briefly operated as a wedding chapel and antique store before being converted over a span of two years into a bed and breakfast by its current owners. The decor of the bed and breakfast is very eclectic with a definite religious theme, appropriate considering the building’s history. There are numerous architectural elements and furniture pieces that have been decorated with beautifully done faux finishes and a plethora of cherubs and angels peeking out from almost every nook and cranny.

Ghost Stories

There are many ghost stories surrounding the Victorian Rose. There almost seems to be one ghost per guest room. The most common story is that of a woman who fell to her death from the choir loft (now the emperor’s bedroom). Some guests staying in the Emperor’s Bedroom have heard her singing. In the Timeless Treasures room a spectral minister is said to sometimes tuck the guests into bed at night. If you are staying in the Fleur-de-Lis room you might enjoy a foot massage during the night even though your partner is fast asleep. In the large central room that was once the sanctuary of the church, footsteps can sometimes be heard even though there is no one else in the room. We have some photographs of articles about the Victorian Rose and haunted Ventura on our Victorian Rose Photographs page. One of the articles was written by noted Ventura ghost hunter Richard Senate.

The owner used to be more interested in the supernatural aspects of his place, but now seemed inclined not to discuss it with us. He did however state that his brother-in-law has received a spectral foot massage.

Our Review

She Says:

Walking through the small door on the side, you can smell the age of the place. Then you approach the main room. And what a room! Everywhere you look, another treasure waiting to be discovered.. Antique furniture,books, dolls…
Then there are the bedrooms. The Fleur-de-Lis room has cherubs adorning its walls. To its right, the Wisteria room with its summers tints of light blues and pale yellows. The Victorian Rose room is decorated in red and greens. Across the main room, is the Timeless Treasures room with its beautiful stained glass hues. The best,in my opinion, is the Emperor’s Room, once the old choir loft; however, I have a soft spot for Asian decor…
There is a sense of peace, an aura of calm. It is the kind of place that you feel you can stay up late at night curled up with an old book… Granted, the cherubs and dolls are a bit creepy to me, but I suppose I have watched too many spooky movies…

He Says:

It reminded me a lot of Abigail’s Elegant Victorian in Eureka, Ca–Stuff to look at everywhere. It made me wish that the Victorian Rose had a scrabble game like Abigail’s did. The sheer number of cherubs and dolls could get a bit disturbing, but the decor was beautiful. The innkeeper, Richard, was extremely nice, helpful, and a pleasure to talk with. Unfortunately his wife, Nona, had broken her leg sometime before our visit, so we did not get to meet her. She is the half of the couple mostly responsible for the beautiful faux finishes throughout the inn. and although we were staying in the Fluer-de-Lis room and I could have used one after walking around all day on the hills of Magic Mountain, I did not get a foot massage during our stay. On the first day breakfast was a twice baked potato that was wonderful.