Storyteller to Lead Tour of City Hall
Stride across the marble floors of City Hall.
Stare up at the monks’ faces peering out from the facade.
Hear stories of some of Ventura’s most famous court cases, which were heard in this historic building overlooking the sea when it served as the Ventura County Courthouse.
On Saturday, storyteller Paul Vasvik will lead a tour through City Hall at 501 Poli St. from 1 to 3 p.m.
Built in 1912, the neoclassic building incorporates features such as Italian marble and stained-glass skylights.
Every major trial in Ventura County between 1913 and 1962 took place in the building, according to Richard Senate, the city’s unofficial historian. Those cases include the 1930 Leo-Ricco gangland murder and the 1959 Ma Duncan murder-for-hire case.
The city purchased the grand old building in 1971 and paid more than $2 million to seismically retrofit it.
Today, the building is often featured on TV shows. Last fall, Republican vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp spoke on the front steps during a campaign swing through the county.
Tickets cost $6 and can be purchased at the beginning of the tour, on the front steps of City Hall.
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