Thousand Oaks in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pederson Ranch House
California Lutheran University
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 14, 2018
1. Pederson Ranch House Marker
When the college opened in 1961, the chicken coops located on the Pederson ranch were converted for campus use. F Building housed the campus coffee shop, which doubled as the cafeteria, and a full soda fountain, E Building served as the library; D Building comprised the science and math classrooms and offices; and G building contained classrooms.
The availability of homes in Thousand Oaks was limited in the early 1960s, so Kramer Court was constructed to serve as faculty housing for the newly established college. One apartment in the complex was always held open for guest lecturers and other visitors of note.
A swimming pool, once located behind Kramer Court, was the first facility to be built on the campus. It served as a gathering place for potential donors from churches throughout the Southland. It was removed in 1997 to make room for the Spies-Bornemann Center for Education and Technology.
Pederson ranch house, built in 1913, was the home of the Pederson Family. A Ventura County and City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark, the house was moved to its current location and renovated in 1986. It was originally located
this page online
Erected by California Lutheran University. (Marker Number 45.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans, and the Ventura County Historical Landmarks series lists.
Location. 34° 13.264′ N, 118° 52.64′ W. Marker is in Thousand Oaks, California, in Ventura County. It is at the intersection of Regent Avenue and Faculty Street, on the left when traveling north on Regent Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Thousand Oaks CA 91360, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, on 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 14, 2018
2. Marker and Ranch House
Regarding Pederson Ranch House. Pederson House and Water Tower is located at the campus of California Lutheran University, the former home of the Norwegian Colony. It was built by members of the Colony that settled here in 1890. The structure is designated Ventura County Historic Landmark No. 45 and Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 3. It is a typical turn-of-the-century farmhouse constructed in 1913-14 for Lars and Karn Pederson, Norwegian immigrants and members of the Norwegian Colony, who had first settled in Conejo Valley in 1890.
Additional keywords. Norwegian
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 14, 2018
3. Ranch House
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2018. This page has been viewed 2,243 times since then and 220 times this year. Last updated on August 8, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
