Ojai in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Matilija Junction RR Station
Photographed by Patrick Duggan
1. Matilija Junction RR Station Marker
This park is situated on land that was once a station for the Ojai Railroad. The railroad was dedicated on March 12, 1898, bringing rail passengers for the first time to the Ojai Valley. The railroad originated in Ventura on Ventura Avenue, and terminated at the Nordhoff Depot on Fox Street about one mile east of this location. In 1980 the line was abandoned and is now used as a bike, hiking and equestrian trail.
When first built, this station was designated the Clark station for K. P. Clark, one of the railroads original investors. It was later referred to as the Matilija Junction station, as passengers who disembarked here were on their way to the popular health spas of the day, Matilija Hot Springs and Wheelers Hot Springs, less than 10 miles northwest of here. These passengers, health seekers from all over the United States, would be met by carriages and buggies for the short ride up the canyon to their respective resorts.
After the arrival of the automobile, use of the station declined and on June 1, 1940, the station was abandoned. In 1947, Bunce Brothers Lumber Yard opened for business at this location and remained until 1983. The site was unoccupied until 2005, when the Rotary Club of Ojai-West spearheaded the construction of the park as their Rotary Centennial Project.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 34° 26.486′ N, 119° 15.626′ W. Marker is in Ojai, California, in Ventura County. It can be reached from West Ojai Avenue. Located at Rotary Community Park on the Ojai Valley trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ojai CA 93023, 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 least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Weinberger Memorial Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Ojai Valley Inn & Spa (approx. 0.3 miles away); Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ojai City Jail (approx. 0.9 miles away); The History of Libbey Bowl (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ojai Post Office Tower and Portico (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Ojai Arcade (approx. one mile away); Nordhoff School (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ojai.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. This page has been viewed 442 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on June 3, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. Photo 1. submitted on June 2, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings showing its location in context. • Can you help?
