Pederson House and Water Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pederson House and Water Tower |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | American Craftsman |
| Location | 3201 Regent Avenue, Thousand Oaks, CA |
| Coordinates | 34°13′16″N 118°52′39″W / 34.22107°N 118.87755°W |
| Completed | 1923 |
| Owner | California Lutheran University |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Norwegian Colony |
The Pederson House and Water Tower is a special old building located at California Lutheran University (CLU) in Thousand Oaks, California. It was once the home of a group of people called the Norwegian Colony. These Norwegian families moved to the area in 1890.
The house was built between 1913 and 1914 for Lars and Karn Pederson. They were immigrants from Norway and part of the Norwegian Colony. Their home is a great example of a typical farmhouse from the early 1900s.
This historic building is recognized as Ventura County Historic Landmark No. 45 and Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 3. It's an important part of the area's history!
The Pederson House was first built where the Ahmanson Science Center is now. Later, it was moved about 500 feet to its current spot. When the university decided to build a science center, they thought about tearing down the house. Moving it would cost $125,000. But students and former students of CLU raised all the money in just one day! This amazing effort saved the house from being demolished.
Lars Pederson's son, Richard Pederson, gave 130 acres of the family's land to help start California Lutheran College in 1959. In 1967, more land and the buildings were given to the university. The buildings were then carefully fixed up.
The Pederson House has had many uses over the years. From 1913 until 1960, it was the Pederson family's home. In 1961, it became the university president's house. Then, in 1962-63, it was used as the dean's office. Today, the house is home to the university's music department.
The water tower that stands next to the house was used until 1960. That's when modern plumbing was installed in the area. The tower was also moved and fixed up in 1986.
To honor Lars Pederson, a bronze statue of him was placed near the university's Soiland Humanities Center on April 18, 2015. You can also find Pederson Road nearby, which is named after this important family.
Why is it a Landmark?
The Pederson House and Water Tower is considered a very important historical site. It was officially named a Ventura County Historic Landmark in June 1978. Later, in November 1997, it also became City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 3. These titles mean the buildings are protected and recognized for their historical value.
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