Ventura in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The First Community
By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2019
1. The First Community Marker
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
By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 4, 2019
2. The First Community Marker - wide view
Thew marke is on the Ventura Promenade.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 34° 16.56′ N, 119° 17.586′ W. Marker is in Ventura, California, in Ventura County. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dacy Fazio House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 632 E. Thompson Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Cunane House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 682 East Thompson Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chumash Hutash Fiesta (approx. ¼ mile away); The Hobart/Barr/Lucking Initial Residence c. 1898 (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hobart/Barr/Lucking Residence (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ventura Theatre (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ventura.
Also see . . . Chumash People (Wikipedia). (Submitted on June 13, 2019.)
Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
3. Inset photo: Chumash Coiled Baskets
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 12, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California. 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California.
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