Date: June 15, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Karen Martia 805-483-7749/ OxnardHistoricDistrict.com

Photos available upon request

TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

COME VISIT HISTORIC OXNARD

Oxnard Autumn Home and Downtown Tour

Sunday, September 23, 10 am – 4 pm

OXNARD, CALIFORNIA: September 23, 2007

When thinking of historic districts in Southern California, Oxnard may not immediately come to mind.  But Oxnard is home to the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District, an area of classically built homes that has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999.  The District also boasts the highest percentage of contributing structures unique among Historic District’s in California.  The District itself is located on G Street and F Street between Magnolia and Fifth Streets.

When Henry Oxnard and his brothers opened the American Beet Sugar factory in the late 1800’s, wealthy merchants, bankers, professionals and blue-collar workers built their homes next to Oxnard’s commercial district. The Friend’s of Old Oxnard was formed in 1997-1998 comprising several of the local residents.  The group for two years photographed  and documented  the provenance of a section of homes on F and G street, just enough for the project to be manageable.  In 1999, member’s efforts paid off and the area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Although the Historic District encompasses 144 homes on F and G Street, there are approximately 600 homes in the surrounding neighborhood that are architecturally significant, with some of the homes dating back to 1903.

This year’s tour will be the eleventh annual tour.  The first tour was in 1996. Commemorating the eleventh year of the tour we would also like to present the revitalized downtown commercial district via a trolley tour. We will feature two docents guided trolley tours of historic buildings and places within the downtown and surrounding  area. The Carnegie Art Museum, celebrating it’s 100^th Birthday this year will be one of the featured buildings.

Join the Friends of Old Oxnard on September 23, 2007 for a delightful day in touring the area and viewing six distinctive period homes plus a fun trolley tour of several historic sites in the downtown and surrounding  area.  In addition, we will feature several exhibitors offering antique and revival furnishings and decorative arts appropriate for creating the perfect Arts and Crafts interior. $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door for the home tour and the trolley tour will be $15.00 which will include lavender lemonade and gift bag.   (call for group rates).  Limited space for trolley tours. The start of the tour will be at The Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C Street, Oxnard.  You may pick up your programs at that location.

For further information please visit web site www.oxnardhistoricdistrict.com or call 805-483-7960.