Ventura in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The First Community

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2019

1. The First Community Marker

Inscription. Near this site, the village of Shisholop, home to 300 to 400 Chumash, once stretched from the beach near the base of Figueroa Street inland past the San Buenaventura Mission. From its beginning, about 1000 AD., Shisholop (meaning "in the mud") grew into a regional center of trade, politics and religion. The village flourished through the time of the first European contact in 1542, to the time of the founding of the San Buenaventura Mission in 1782.

Located near the Ventura River and ocean, the village was surrounded by abundant resources for food and shelter. The Chumash homes were dome-shaped and made of pliable willow poles covered with layers of sedge thatching. Swift plank canoes known as tomols enabled the Chumash to utilize the rich marine and island resources. The tomol, unique among North American Indians and considered advanced in design, was constructed from boards made from driftwood, sewn together with fiber cord, the seams caulked with tar, and covered with a mixture of red ochre and pine pitch. The Chumash were also skilled in making coiled baskets which served many functions,

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including water storage, and even cooking containers. The Chumash are admired world-wide for the beauty and intricate design of their basketry.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 34° 16.56′ N, 119° 17.586′ W. Marker is in Ventura, California, in Ventura County. It is at the intersection of Ventura Promenade and South California Street, on the left when traveling west on Ventura Promenade. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ventura CA 93001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

on the Central Coast,

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2019

2. The First Community Marker

The marker is on the Ventura Promenade.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ventura Pier (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dacy Fazio House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 632 E. Thompson Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ventura Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Cunane House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 682 East Thompson Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ventura’s Pierside Bathhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Chumash Hutash Fiesta (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ventura.

Also see . . . Chumash People (Wikipedia). (Submitted on June 13, 2019.)

Inset photo: Chumash Coiled Baskets image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

3. Inset photo: Chumash Coiled Baskets

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 756 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 12, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.