Work Progressing on Historic House

Restoration of the historic Camarillo Ranch House should be completed by spring, and officials say they have already received requests for weddings, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs and other gatherings.

City Councilman Kevin Kildee said Wednesday restoration efforts are expected to pick up in earnest after the new year.

“The project is moving along very well and people are asking about the availability of the house for spring and summer weddings . . . and a few other things,” said Kildee, who is also a member of the Camarillo Ranch Foundation Board.

He said he expects the ranch to attract those wanting to film movies, television commercials and programs.

The city’s first official function after it assumed ownership from Centex Development Corp. earlier this year was Camarillo’s 35th anniversary celebration. More than 1,000 people attended.

“There was a great harvest moon that night,” Kildee said. “That was just the beginning of things to come.”

The ranch, situated on more than four acres at Mission Oaks Boulevard and Camarillo Ranch Road off the Ventura Freeway, is the former home of the city’s founder, Adolfo Camarillo, and his family.

The ranch was built by the Camarillo family in 1892. Horse stables were erected about seven years later and restored in 1950.

Officials said the Camarillo family took excellent care of the ranch, and city leaders are now seeking national landmark status for the property.

“We’ve already done a lot to the ranch, such as put in a new lawn and clean up the shrubs,” Kildee said.

“Once it’s complete, it should be an attraction to everyone,” said John Fraser, city liaison to the Ranch Foundation. “Our ultimate goal is to have this declared a federal historic landmark.”

While the city has covered the bill for restoration of the exterior of the Camarillo house, private donations and public grants are expected to assist the foundation in running the house.