Council Grants Historic Landmark Status to 5 Sites
A plot of land in the La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard, where Cesar Chavez lived in a dirt-floored shed as a young boy, is among five historical landmarks and points of interest approved for recognition by the Oxnard City Council on Tuesday.
Two homes, a row of palm trees and the former Japanese (Nisei) Methodist Episcopal Church on A Street also were approved unanimously for historical status by the council.
All five sites were previously nominated for the honors by the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board.
Although the Chavez home site no longer exists, the council approved the placement of a plaque near 452 N. Garfield Ave. to commemorate the contribution made by Chavez to agriculture workers.
The late United Farm Workers organizer lived in the area with his family in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
The church, at 630 S. A St., was founded in 1908 when more than 1,000 Japanese were employed at area farms. The Wineman House at 101 S. D St.; the Staire House at 235 S. D St.; and the palm trees running along C Street between Magnolia Avenue and Wooley Road, also were recognized as historically significant.
The owners of all five properties agreed to the landmark status, which can restrict them from certain renovations and improvements.
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