Ventura in Ventura County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

San Buenaventura Mission Cross

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

1. San Buenaventura Mission Cross Marker (front right)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Restored September 9, 1912
by
The Alice M. Bartlett Club
of San Buenaventura, California,
to take the place of the Mission Cross erected
on this spot by the Franciscan Missionary
Padre Junipero Serra 1782

Erected 1912 by The Alice M. Bartlett Club. (Marker Number 113.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 9, 1897.

Location. 34° 17.077′ N, 119° 17.77′ W. Marker is in Ventura, California, in Ventura County. Marker can be reached from Father Serra Cross when traveling west. Marker is located in Grant Park. 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. Old County Court House (approx. ¼ mile away); San Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct (approx. ¼ mile away); Lavanderia (approx. 0.3 miles away); El Caballo (approx. 0.3 miles away); Peirano Market

Junipero Serra's Cross image. Click for full size.

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

2. Junipero Serra's Cross

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Erle Stanley Gardner’s Law Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); San Buenaventura China Alley Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jack Rose (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ventura.

Regarding San Buenaventura Mission Cross. The first cross on the hill known as "La Loma de la Cruz," or the Hill of the Cross, was erected by Junipero Serra at the founding of the Mission San Buenaventura on March 31, 1782. This was the ninth and last mission founded by Father Serra in California. SOURCE: California Historical Landmarks, Calfiornia State Parks

Also see . . .
1. History of the Cross. On Easter Sunday, March 31, 1782, Spanish missionary, Father Junipero Serra, founded Mission San Buenaventura. Shortly after the Mission’s founding, a large wooden cross was planted on top of a hill overlooking the Mission church. This highly visible cross served as a road sign for travelers in search of the Mission. The original cross was eventually lost to the elements and replaced in the 1860s. After the second cross blew down in a storm on November 5, 1875, it was not replaced for

Padre Junipero Serra Marker (front left) image. Click for full size.

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

3. Padre Junipero Serra Marker (front left)

In Memory of the
200th Anniversary
of the Birth of
Padre Junipero Serra
Founder of the
Fanciscan Missions
of California
who closed the labor of his useful
life with the founding of
The Mission of
San Buenaventua
march 31, 1782
This tablet is placed by
The Ventura Chamber of Commerce

almost 40 years. Then, on Admissions Day, September 9, in 1912, members of the E.C.O. Club, a ladies service organization, erected a new wooden cross in the current location. The E.C.O. Club was dedicated to bringing culture and a historical perspective to the frontier. (Submitted on January 4, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California.)

2. Fr Junipero Serra (1713 - 1784) - Find A Grave Memorial. Buried at the altar of Mission Carmel. (Submitted on January 4, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California.)

The Serra Cross Marker image. Click for full size.

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

4. The Serra Cross Marker

Landscaping and Masonry
by Ventura Downtown
Lions Club
1964-65
Ernest N. Joyce - Project Chairman
John McDonald, Jr. - President

Grant Park Conservancy Marker (back left) image. Click for full size.

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

5. Grant Park Conservancy Marker (back left)

In appreciation of
E.J. and Myra Harrison Family
for their generous donation of the
Grant Park Conservancy
and the purchase of this historic property
December 31, 2003

Grant Park Conservancy Marker (back center) image. Click for full size.

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

6. Grant Park Conservancy Marker (back center)

In appreciation of
The Hogan Family Foundation
for their generous donation to the
Grant Park Conservancy
toward the purchase of this history property
December 31, 2003

Grant Park Conservancy Marker (back right) image. Click for full size.

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

7. Grant Park Conservancy Marker (back right)

In appreciation of
Jeff and Denise Sponseller
for their generous donation to the
Grant Park Conservancy
toward the purchase of this historic property
December 31, 2003

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

8. Junipero Serra's Cross

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

9. Junipero Serra's Cross

View of Ventura Coastline from Grant Park image. Click for full size.

By Michael Kindig, August 18, 2007

10. View of Ventura Coastline from Grant Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. This page has been viewed 1,116 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. 2. submitted on January 3, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. 3, 4. submitted on December 28, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 3, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Long Beach, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.