San Miguel Chapel Site facts for kids
The San Miguel Chapel Site is a special place in Ventura, California. It's where the very first building for the Mission San Buenaventura was started. This site was an early outpost and a main center of activity while the mission was being built. The chapel itself was just outside the mission's walled garden. Today, it's an open park in downtown Ventura, with signs and art that help people learn about its history. The city's parks department protects and manages this important historical area.
Quick facts for kids |
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San Miguel Chapel Site
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A Mission Bell and monument sign mark the natural park site.
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Ventura, California |
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| Area | 0.7 acres (0.28 ha) |
| Built | 1819 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000826 |
| Added to NRHP | July 20, 1978 |
Discovering the Past: History of the Site
Archaeologists started digging at the San Miguel Chapel Site in 1974. Students from Moorpark College helped with this important work. They found old rock foundations and parts of a painted wall. They also uncovered a section of the San Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct. This aqueduct was a water system that served the mission.
In 1975, the city of Ventura began to buy the land. The city council decided to make it "Historic Point of Interest Number 16." This helped the site get listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This listing means it's a very important historical place in the United States.
Later, in 1997, a group called the Historic Preservation Alliance of San Buenaventura said the site was "endangered." It was fenced off and overgrown. This showed how important it was to protect and care for this historical spot.
In 2007, another archaeological dig happened nearby. Workers found more of the mission's orchard wall. This wall was built with large stones, some weighing 40 to 50 pounds. They also found many old items from different time periods. These included things from Ventura County's first courthouse, jail, and hospital. The dig also showed signs of people living in this area for a very long time. They even found beads made of shells from the ocean.
Exploring the Land: Geography and Nature
People have lived in the Ventura area for a very long time. Archaeological finds suggest humans were here at least 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. Near the chapel site was Shisholop Village. This was a large Chumash village. Experts believe it was an important capital for the Chumash people. Records show the village was settled around 1000 A.D.
The Chumash were skilled boat builders. They made special plank-built boats called Tomols. These boats were strong enough to sail all the way to the Channel Islands. The Shisholop Village site is now Historic Point of Interest #18. It is located where Figueroa Street meets the ocean at Seaside Park.
There is a very old and large tree at the chapel site. It's called the "Coast Live Oak Tree, Historic Landmark Number 96." This tree is a type of Quercus agrifolia. The city council made it a landmark in 2006. It's the biggest tree of its kind in Ventura. Experts think it is between 160 and 200 years old.
The San Miguel Chapel Site is also along El Camino Real. This is a historic route that connects the old California missions. A special mission bell marker stands here to show this connection.
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