The Camarillo family of Ventura County traces its heritage back to Juan Camarillo, Sr. Born on May 27, 1812 in Mexico City to Luis and Maria Camarillo, Juan came to California with the Hijar-Padres Expedition in 1834. He married Martina H. Hernandez, the great-granddaughter of Jose Francisco Ortega, in 1840 or 1841 at the Santa Barbara Mission. They had 14 children, but only six survived: Adolfo, Juan, Adelaida, Aldegunda, Maria, and Arcadia. Juan Camarillo, Sr. died in 1880, leaving ownership of the land to his wife. Martina owned the land, which was managed primarily by her son Adolfo, until her death on April 15, 1898. Adolfo, born on October 29, 1864 in Ventura, took over management of the family ranch at the age of 16, following the death of his father. He oversaw the ranch's transition from cattle to primarily lima beans, citrus, and walnuts. His son, Frank A. Camarillo, oversaw the family's business until his death in 1952. The collection includes Adolfo Camarillo's diaries, correspondence, photographs, deeds, family records, business records, and ephemera.

The Camarillo family of Ventura County traces its heritage back to Juan Camarillo, Sr. Born on May 27, 1812 in Mexico City to Luis and Maria Camarillo, Juan came to California with the Hijar-Padres Expedition in 1834. He married Martina H. Hernandez, the great-granddaughter of Jose Francisco Ortega, in 1840 or 1841 at the Santa Barbara Mission. They had 14 children, but only six survived: Adolfo, Juan, Adelaida, Aldegunda, Maria, and Arcadia. He arrived in Ventura in 1857, began acquiring land, and eventually came to own all of Rancho Calleguas, which he purchased from the Ruiz family. He died on December 4, 1880, and passed the land onto wife, Martina.

3.85 Cubic Feet (3 boxes)

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, have not been determined. Contact the Research Library for further information: library@venturamuseum.org

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Open for research. All requests to access materials must be made in advance by contacting the Research Library staff via email: library@venturamuseum.org.