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Reproduced here
essentially verbatim. from the Oak View Sentinel. Sheridan's History
of Ventura County was published in 1926.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of
informal articles about the history of the Oak View area.
By Percy Watkins
as told to Chuck Hill
To get to Mr. Percy Watkins' ranch at the end of High street in Oak
View, it was necessary to drive through one gate, park the car, jump
a flooded barranca, climb under a wire gate, walk up a steep hill,
and crawl over a wooden gate.
But the trip was worth it --- well worth it. In an hour
and a half, enough material was gained from the interview to make a
long, long story. By rechecking with Percy before publication of the
column and by checking data with Sheridan's History of Ventura
County, we fell we can present an entertaining, accurate series of
articles on the history of the Oak View area.
Mr. Watkins has probably lived in the Oak View area as
long or longer than anyone living here now. After their arrival in
Oak View in 1901, Percy's father, H. L. Watson, bought 72 acres of
land from John Collins. John Collins and Sons was a Ventura banking
firm. H. L. Watkins left this land to his wife and it then was
divided among the eight sons and daughters.
Part of this land remains in the Watkins family. Part
of it was sold. About one-half of Linda Vista Knolls was Watkins
property at one time. The original land had the north end of High
street as the south boundary and Highway 399 as the western
boundary.
Oak View's first school house still stands. It is
located below the San Antonio Creek road near Highway 399. It was
here when Percy attended the sixth grade shortly after his arrival
here in 1901.
His teacher that year was Mrs. Ashbrook, a widow who
taught all eighth grades. Her residence was in the Ed Goodyear home
near the rail road tracks south of what is now Oak View.
Mrs. Ashbrook's students that year included all the
Watkins children: Percy, Florence, Elva, Ruby, and Clifford. Others
were Charles Barrett, his cousin Maude Jackson, the teacher's
daughter Eleanor Ashbrooks, Marian Howe, and Charlie Feraud whose
father owned property, part of which is now the community of Rancho
Santa Ana Vista.
Not less than six children were required to keep the
school open. Because of the small population of the Oak View area at
that time, it was sometimes necessary to "borrow" a student or two
from the Santa Ana school or Ventura's Mill school. (Continued
next week)
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