Paths to Discovery

In the wake of Presidents Day--and other historic events--Ventura County residents may be itching for an activity that affords a slice of history about their own backyards.

Two such offerings are available--one highlighting the great outdoors and another spotlighting the start of a city.

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The new visitors center at the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area’s headquarters in Thousand Oaks provides a stunning view along with reams of park information and exhibits designed to appeal to all ages.

Dedicated last week as the Anthony C. Beilenson Visitors Center, in honor of the former U.S. representative who crafted legislation to create the recreation area, the facility will be open year-round.

Inside, visitors can peer through glass walls at the Santa Monica Mountains or at native plants and oak trees surrounding the building. Trail maps are available for hikers, and there are picnic tables outside.

Indoors, under the vaulted ceilings in this massive room, are exhibits explaining all there is to know about the 150,000-acre recreation area.

“This is a big step for the park, so we like to say this means we are here to stay,” said Charles Taylor, a spokesman for the National Park Service.

There is also an exhibit on the culture of the Chumash Indians and displays of native flora and fauna. In addition, 8-foot photographs are mounted on panels, showingmountains, trails and the Pacific Ocean.

The center is actually the city’s former city hall, renovated for the park service. It also includes an area of hands-on displays for children.

Large written narratives explain the geology of the mountains and the history of fires and ranchland in the area.

Drawers under the narratives pull open to reveal objects that can be held and examined, such as volcanic rock, basalt, charred wood and leather hides.

The center is at 401 W. Hillcrest Drive. For more information on the center and other park activities, call 370-2301.

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Did you know that Ventura’s first city hall was housed above a saloon?

That and other interesting tidbits about the city’s history will be discussed during the Founders Day Tour in Ventura from 1 to 3 p.m. March 6.

Richard Senate, coordinator of historic programming for the city, will lead a walking tour of past city hall sites and discuss early ordinances, such as one that forbade cattle drives down Main Street.

Tour-goers will learn that on March 10, 1866, Ventura was officially chartered a city, a process that had taken three years and started the move toward Santa Barbara County’s breaking off to form its own county.

Ventura’s first city hall was housed above what was the Rendezvous Room at Palm and Main streets. Over the years, the city hall moved more than 10 times, including into a private home and to the building that now houses the Ventura Inn at Main and California streets.

The tour, to be led by Senate, will include several humorous anecdotes on the city’s history.

The county’s first criminal trials were held in that first city hall. A judge at the time would stomp on the floor before recessing to let the bartender know to pour glasses of beer for employees and jurors who were coming downstairs for a break.

Tickets, $7, can be bought in advance in the second-floor Community Services Office at City Hall, 501 Poli St., or the day of the tour.

The tour, which will begin on the steps of City Hall, generally appeals to people over the age of 12. Anyone needing special assistance should call Senate ahead of time at 658-4728.

Tour-goers interested in picnicking beforehand can choose from several parks near City Hall, including Cemetery Memorial Park at Main and Poli streets; Downtown Mini-Park in the 300 block of East Main Street; Eastwood Park at Poli and Wall streets; Mission Park at Main and Figueroa streets; and Plaza Park at Chestnut and Santa Clara streets.