Downtown Ventura in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Chumash People, Produce and Livestock at The Mission
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Chumash People Marker
By the 1820s San Buenaventura Mission was producing a variety of crops. In addition to wheat and corn, the mission was known for its citrus fruits, olives, and grapes. The American merchant Alfred Robinson, who moved to California, visited the mission in the early 1800s and commented about its rich gardens.
"... In their proper season they have apples, pears, peaches, pomegranates, tunas or prickly pears and grapes."
Alfred Robinson - Life in California, published 1846.
Cattle, sheep, horses and other livestock also made the mission successful. Merchants often came by sea to trade with the mission. The hide and tallow trade with American merchants became important as ships docked off the coast of Ventura.
Chumash Population in 1813:
Men 582
Women 587
Children 126
Non Indian 28
Plants in 1832:
Wheat 7,324,900 pounds
Other 6,205,400 pounds
Corn, Barley, Beans,
Peas, Lentils.
Animals in 1832:
Horses 200
Cattle 4,050
Pigs 290
Sheep 3,000
Erected 2012 by San Buenaventura Mission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities •
this page online
Location. 34° 16.861′ N, 119° 17.851′ W. Marker is in Ventura, California, in Ventura County. It is in Downtown Ventura. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and Figueroa Street Mall, on the right when traveling west. Located in the courtyard at the Ventura Mission. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 E Main St, Ventura CA 93001, 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 walking distance of this marker: Fray Junipero Serra (here, next to this marker); Chumash Daily Life At The Mission (here, next to this marker); San Buenaventura Mission Quadrangles (a few steps from this marker); Mission San Buenaventura (within shouting distance of this marker); Lavanderia (within shouting distance of this marker); San Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct (within shouting distance of this marker); Peirano Market (within shouting distance of this marker); San Buenaventura China Alley Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ventura.
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2024
2. Chumash People Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2024
3. Olive Press
Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2024
4. Mission San Buenaventura
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,915 times since then and 435 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4. submitted on August 2, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
