Triunfo Canyon

Triunfo Canyon. Conejo Valley. , For thousands of years, the Chumash Indians and their forebears lived in this valley. They have been described as a stone age people, hunters and gatherers, resourceful, friendly, fun-loving, astute traders, fine craftsmen, and expert rock artists. , When the vessels of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo anchored by neighboring Point Mugu in October, 1542, these Chumash, rowing their unique plank canoes swiftly and with great dexterity, came out to greet them, and the confrontation and exchange of cultures began. , On Saturday, the 13th of January, 1770, the Spanish expedition of Gaspar de Portola returning from Monterey entered this valley near this spot. Father Frey Juan Crespi, the Franciscan priest who accompanied them, named a village, “El Triunfo del Dulcísimo Nombre de Jesús.” His designation, “Triunfo” is preserved in many places in the vicinity. He noted in his diary, “It is a plane of considerable extent and much beauty, forested in all parts by oaks (encinas y robles), with much pasture and water.” , On April 10, 1774, Juan Battista de Anza and his expedition camped at Triunfo. On February 23, 1776, his colonizing force trekked through on their way to San Francisco. Anza, Father Pedro Font, and others left diaries and reports. Anza has been quoted, “This is a lush valley where friendly natives made us welcome. There is little more to be desired for a new homeland.” , In the 1800’s, travelers on El Camino Real between San Buenaventura and San Fernando Rey de España Missions saw the adobe dwellings and numerous horses, sheep, and cattle of Rancho el Conejo, a Spanish land grant. By 1874, American pioneers had established ranches on the land grant, the first being that of Howard W. Mills. For many years, fertile grain fields covered what was now called Russell Valley. Percheron horses raised on this soil were in great demand. , In the 1850’s, on this land, now known as the Albertson Ranch, there were row crops of tomatoes and melons. The location also continued to be a favorite one for television and movie films. Westlake Village, conceived in 1965, quickly grew into a popular living place having a rich heritage. , Presented to the homeowners of Triunfo West by Joseph Brown and Richard Belding. Designed and executed by Ginger Osgood MFA and Freeman Worthley MFA.