Ventura - Premier Visitors Guide 2007-2008 - (Page 14) around town Historic DOWNTOWN Ventura’s Cultural District Ventura’s past and present intermingle everywhere in the historic downtown district. The city was founded more than 1500 years ago as the Chumash village of Shisholop. It takes its modern name from Mission San Buenaventura, established in 1782 by Franciscan friars under Spanish rule. For a brief time in the 1800s, Ventura was part of Mexico until California gained statehood in 1850. Since then, Ventura has evolved from bustling frontier town to fertile agricultural center to booming oil town. As you explore the downtown, you’ll find much of the area’s history still evident in its traditions, buildings and landscapes. 14 VENTURA VISITORS GUIDE MIKE PERRY
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