Mitchell Block Historic District facts for kids

The Mitchell Block Historic District is a special area in Ventura, California, filled with old and interesting buildings. It's like a time capsule, showing how a part of downtown Ventura looked many years ago. The city of Ventura officially recognized it as a historic district on May 31, 1980. This means the buildings and features in this area are important to history and should be protected.

This unique district includes Plaza Park, a giant Moreton Bay fig tree within the park, and eight historic houses. These houses are all located on the 600 block of East Thompson Boulevard. Two parts of the district are so important that they are also separate Ventura Historic Landmarks: the amazing Plaza Park Moreton Bay fig tree and the Conklin residence at 680 East Thompson Boulevard.

Back in the 1880s, three brothers named John, Thomas, and Edward Mitchell, who were immigrants from Ireland, bought the land on the south side of East Thompson Boulevard. They built two of the first houses there. Later, around 1904 and 1905, they sold the other pieces of land, and that's when the rest of the houses in the district were built.

By the 1970s, some of these old homes were starting to look a bit run down. But because the area was named a historic district, it encouraged property owners to fix up and take care of their houses. This helped save the block and keep its history alive. In 2007, a group that studies historic places suggested focusing the district mainly on the eight houses. They also thought Plaza Park should be recognized as its own historic landmark.

Exploring the Historic Homes and Park

The Mitchell Block Historic District is home to several fascinating properties. Each one tells a part of Ventura's story. Let's take a closer look at some of these important places.

Plaza Park: A Community Gathering Spot

The giant Moreton Bay Fig Tree in Plaza Park, a famous landmark.

Plaza Park is a very old and important park in Ventura. It was first created in 1869, making it one of the city's earliest public spaces. This park covers an entire city block in downtown Ventura. For over a century, it has been a popular place for many different festivals and community events. It's a place where people gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

The Moreton Bay Fig Tree

One of the most famous features of Plaza Park is its enormous Moreton Bay Fig Tree. This tree was planted way back in 1874. It's a type of tree called Ficus macrophylla. Today, it stands about 68 feet (21 meters) tall, and its branches spread out an incredible 130 feet (40 meters) wide! It's a truly impressive natural landmark.

The Conklin Residence: The Oldest House

The Conklin Residence, built in 1877, is the oldest house in the district.

Located at 608 East Thompson Boulevard, the Conklin residence is the oldest house in the Mitchell Block Historic District. It was built in 1877 and features an American Colonial style of architecture. Because of its age and unique design, it was named Ventura Historic Landmark No. 7 in 1974. It's a great example of early Ventura homes.

The Mary Mitchell House: A Victorian Gem

The Mary Mitchell House, built in 1890, features a castle-like tower.

The Mary Mitchell house, found at 670 East Thompson Boulevard, was built in 1890. It's a beautiful Victorian-era brick house with some Gothic design elements. One of its most striking features is a square, castle-like tower. The Mitchell brothers built this house for Edward Mitchell's daughter, Mary.

The John Mitchell House: Italianate Style

The John Mitchell house, located at 692 East Thompson Boulevard, was built in 1886. This brick house was designed in the Italianate style by an architect named T. B. Steepleton. It has gabled roofs and tall windows, which were popular features of that time. The Mitchell brothers built this house for Edward Mitchell's son, John. It's one of only two brick houses in Ventura built before 1900 that are still standing.

Other Historic Homes

The district also includes several other interesting houses that show different architectural styles from the early 1900s:

• The William McGuire house at 620 E. Thompson Blvd., built in 1905, is a Victorian-era style home.
• The Earl E. Barnes house at 632 E. Thompson Blvd., built in 1904, is a Craftsman-style house with a deep porch.
• The Joseph M. Riley house at 644 E. Thompson Blvd., built in 1904, is a Queen Anne style house.
• The Dr. J. J. Streets house at 658 E. Thompson Blvd., built in 1903, is another Queen Anne style home.
• The W.F. Sittel house at 682 E. Thompson Blvd., built in 1905, also features a Victorian-era style.

These homes together create a wonderful picture of what Ventura was like over a hundred years ago.

See also

• City of Ventura Historic Landmarks and Districts