National Register of Historic Places

Ventura County Courthouse

Ventura, Ventura County, California
Listed
August 18, 1971
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
71000211

About this property

The Ventura County Courthouse, known since 1974 as Ventura City Hall, is a historic building in Ventura, California. Located on a hill at the top of California Street, it overlooks the city's downtown district with views of the Santa Barbara Channel and Channel Islands. It was the first building in the City of Ventura to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has also received historic designations at the state, county and city levels. Built from 1912 to 1913, the Neoclassical courthouse was designed by the Los Angeles architect Albert C. Martin Sr. in a Beaux Arts style. The building's facade includes white glazed terra cotta panels and decorations, including 24 whimsical faces of Franciscan friars, fluted Doric columns, a copper-sheathed dome and cupola, as well as Roman-arched windows. The second-floor city council chambers (previously the building's courtroom) include carved mahogany woodwork, stained glass skylights and arched windows overlooking the city and ocean. The courthouse was expanded in the early 1930s with the construction of an annex off the building's west wing. In 1968, the building was declared structurally unsound and county workers relocated to a new complex. The City of Ventura purchased the building from the county and renovated it at a cost of approximately $3.4 million. The building has served as Ventura City Hall since 1974.

Location

501 Poli St.
Ventura, Ventura County, California
34.28248, -119.29312

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Nearby Historic Sites

Franz, Emmanuel, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Ventura Theatre
Industrial
0.2 mi
Bard, Elizabeth, Memorial Hospital
Industrial
0.2 mi
Mission San Buenaventura and Mission Compound Site
Colonial
0.3 mi
Feraud General Merchandise Store
Industrial
0.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Ventura County Courthouse listed on the National Register?

Ventura County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 18, 1971.

What type of historic resource is Ventura County Courthouse?

Ventura County Courthouse is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Ventura County Courthouse?

The period of significance for Ventura County Courthouse is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Ventura County Courthouse?

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