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Reproduced
essentially verbatim (some spelling corrections) from a copy of the
article
found in The Sentinel. The Sentinel was an Oak View newspaper
whose address was:
P.O. Box 504 - MI 9-1754 It was published weekly on Thursday by
Chuck and Faye Hill,
with advertising by Joe Colville
Thursday, October 16, 1958 THE OAK VIEW SENTINEL
HISTORY OF THE VALLEY
THE ROAD From VENTURA TO OJAI
by Percy G. Watkins
(continued from the Sept. 11 edition of the SENTINEL)
“The Mesa”, ( Oak View Proper ) “in 1900 was, with
its deserted homes, neglected yards, and half—farmed acres, an
example of good deal of the earths history. It told of the broken
hopes the unfilled dreams, unrewarded ambitions, and labor of people
long gone from this region.”
Poor crops at times and low prices for abundant
crops at other were factors that, coupled with the lack of water,
finally drove the sturdy people to the more favorable areas.”
North of the Harry
Wood Nursery ( on Portal St. in Oak View ) was a building that
people called the Soso
or Sosa ) house. I remember there were a number of old worn-out
“Walter A. Woods” mowing machines standing nearby.
West of this
building, which I think had been a barn converted to a house, was a
big cactus thicket which bore large yellow fruit. It was of the
semi-thornless variety, introduced by Luther Burbank.
From that point,
the road to Ojai climbed further to the entrance of the Staire
Ranch. Dr. Staire ( a dentist) and his brother were partners in this
ranch. W Lee Ferguson, who tended the Staire orchards, lived in a
house near what is now Courtney Richards Chicken Farm.
South of this point
was located a unique stone building built many years before, of lime
shale slabs held with plaster. These slabs were fairly abundant
along the old grade. The building was used for storage. It was
probably occupied by one of the Mexican families before California
came into the hands of the Americans.
Mr. Ferguson was
the found of the Cider Mill, and was the man who planted the apple
orchard on Rancho Arnaz. He married Fannie, the daughter of Mr.
Goodyear (Father of Ed Goodyear mentioned earlier in this series )
who had always resided at Rancho Arnaz with her father.
Mr. Goodyear deeded
most of the property to his children, but Rancho Arnaz was once more
restored when Mr. Ferguson bought up the land from these children.
Ferguson also
acquired the Armsbury Place and a large part of the apple orchards
are a remnant of that property.
Mr. Goodyear lived
a long life, cared for nicely by the Fergusons. Though they had no
children, Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson lived long and happily together.
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