Oxnard in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
American Beet Sugar Factory
Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 16
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 14, 2020
1. American Beet Sugar Factory Marker
The American Beet Sugar Factory was built on a 100-acre site between 5th Street and Wooley Road in 1898 at a cost of $2,000,000 by sugar industrialists Henry, James, Robert and Benjamin Oxnard. It was the second largest sugar beet factory in the world and had a capacity of 2,000 tons daily. It processed over one million 100-pound bags of sugar per season.
Albert F. Maulhardt was instrumental in bringing the factory to this area and Major J. A. Driffill was the first General Manager. At one time, 40,000 acres of sugar beets were grown in Ventura County.
The factory was demolished in 1959.
Erected by Ventura County. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ventura County Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 34° 11.851′ N, 119° 10.504′ W. Marker is in Oxnard, California, in Ventura County. Marker is on East 5th Street, 0.1 miles east of Oxnard Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 E 5th Street, Oxnard CA 93030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
this page online
Regarding American Beet Sugar Factory. Sugar is refined from sugar cane grown in tropical climates, and from sugar beets grown in cooler climates. The final product is the same, with some difference in mineral content. A beet sugar factory needs to be near the growing fields because harvested beets will consume their sugar if not processed quickly.
In the early 1890s, farmers Albert Maulhardt and Johannes Borchard discovered Ventura County's favorable conditions for a highly profitable new cash crop: the sugar beet. Not long after inviting sugar mogul Henry T. Oxnard to the area, construction began on the sugar factory. The facility brought jobs, wealth, and the Southern Pacific rail line. Despite the industry's demise, the city of Oxnard still owes its name to the man who delivered prosperity.
This location is also Ventura County Historical
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 14, 2020
2. American Beet Sugar Factory Marker
This 13-mile railroad carries freight between the Southern Pacific Railroad depot in Oxnard and the U.S. Naval Base and commercial Harbor of Port Hueneme. In 1911 the line was purchased by the American Beet Sugar Company to haul beets to the factory. During World War II all of the war material for the Port of Hueneme was carried over this line. In 1959, when the sugar factory closed, the railway was purchased by Martin Smith and Associates and continues to be a profitable enterprise.
Additional keywords. Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 141, Ventura County Railway
Photographed By Craig Baker, March 14, 2020
3. Marker and nearby Railway
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,924 times since then and 314 times this year. Last updated on April 29, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
