Kenneth A. Larson - General Site
Photography Gallery - Mission San Buenaventura

This general site is just for fun.
Kenneth A. Larson has a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Also experience in other areas of Design.

Current/Recent project

Mission San Buenaventura - Photography Gallery

Select photographs of my many visits to the California Missions build by Spain and Mexico between 1769 and 1823.

#9, San Buenaventura. Founded March 31, 1782 by Father Junipero Serra. Ventura.

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Personal Observations

Ventura is not far from my home, but the first time I ever visited the mission was in 2002, a few months after marrying my wife. It is not large, but Mission San Buenaventura is an important part of the community.

Mission Art & Photo-Art

History
Mission San Buenaventura was the last mission founded by Father Junipero Serra.

Address and Directions
211 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001--2622
From Highway 101 north:
Exit California Street. Turn left onto California street. Turn left onto East Main Street. Proceed a few blocks and mission is on the right.
From Highway 101 south:
Exit Ventura Avenue. Proceed north to Main street. Turn right. Right turn into parkling lot before Ventura Museum. Mission is accross the street.

Photography Gallery

Church front facade. Photo date: 3-7-04.

Church Interior. Photo date: 3-7-04.

Front. 11-2-02.

Church. 9-28-03

Photo date: 3-7-04.

Church welcoming Sunday Mass visitors. 9-28-03.

Church. 9-28-03.

Garden and bell tower. 11-2-02.

Shrine. 11-2-02.

Grinding wheel. 11-2-02.

Resting place for The Reverend Fathers: Vincente de Santa Maria, Jose Senan, and Francisco Suner, died between 1806 and 1831. Sometimes you need to look carefully for items like this. Photo date: 3-7-04.

Part of the aqueduct System with church beyond. Photo date: 3-7-04.

Albinger Archaeological Museum

Next to Mission San Buenaventura, is Albinger Archaeological Museum. While the museum covers archaeological history going back over ten thousand years to recent, the excavations surrounding the museum are of the mission. You will see the stone foundations of two buildings that once housed the Indian workers and the stone foundations of the first church. The first church, or the forgotten church, began construction in 1787, was demolished in 1790, and rediscovered in 1974. The two Indian barracks were built later. The present church, a few steps away, is still in use and was built in 1805 to 1809. Immediately to the left of Albinger Archaeological Museum, between the Museum and modern housing units, is a walkway. Follow the walk way to the steps and climb the first set of steps. From here, you can venture right to view the ruins from the other side and see the remains of two aqueducts. If you explore about two hundred feet to the left of the top of the first steps, you will find the filter for the mission aqueduct system. There was also a lavanderia behind the filter.

Overall site with Mission San Buenaventura church tower beyond. 9-28-03.

Stone foundations for Indian barracks from 1804-1834. 9-28-03.

Stone foundations for First Church. Well also shown. 9-28-03.

Two aqueducts are visible in this photo (foreground). One aqueduct ran to a cistern behind the church. The second aqueduct may have run to fields south of the mission. Background is the stone foundation of one of the Indian barracks.

Filter. 9-28-03.

Filter interior. 9-28-03.

Filter and Lavanderia. 9-28-03.

More text and photos at Mission Trail Today.

Sources:

This page last updated 10-6-04

This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2003, 2004, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.

This site is a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.

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Kenneth A. Larson - General SitePhotography Gallery - Mission San Buenaventura