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Ventura County: Westlake
Village
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Settled snugly
on the western edge of Los Angeles County, the city
of Westlake Village is 9 miles inland from the Pacific
Ocean and 38 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.
Occupying only 5.4 square miles, averaging 900 feet
above sea level, the community is framed by the
Simi Hills to the north and the Santa Monica Mountains
to the south.
About 3,000 years ago, Chumash Indians moved into
the region and lived by hunting rabbits and other
game, and gathering grains and acorns. On-going
excavations, archaeological sites, and polychrome
rock paintings in the area provide a glimpse into
the social and economic complexity of the ancient
Chumash world. In 1770, Captain Gaspar de Portola
led a party of Spanish explorers and missionaries,
traveling north on the route that became known as
the El Camino Real. The party camped near a Chumash
village, believed to be |
the site of present-day Westlake Village. Father Juan
Crespi, chaplain and diarist of the expedition wrote:
"We are on a plain of considerable extent and much
beauty, forested on all parts by live oaks and oak trees,
with much pasturage and water." When the Spanish
finally did settle the area, they were given huge land
grants, the largest of which was Rancho Simi, given to
the Pico family. When Mexico won independence from Spain
in 1821, California became a territory of Mexico, and
a few more land grants were given. When California was
admitted to the union in 1850, most of the land that later
became Ventura County was divided among only 19 families.
The picturesque future Westlake Village site among rising
knolls, arroyos, barrancas and ancient oaks was recognized
as the central part of two Mexican land grants: Rancho
El Conejo and Rancho Las Virgenes. In 1881, the Russell
brothers purchased a large portion of the land for cattle
ranching. According to Patricia Allen, historian and family
descendant, Andrew Russell beat the competition in buying
the land by racing across 6,000 acres on a fifteen-minute
trip in a buckboard, and sealed the deal with a $20 gold
piece. The price per acre was $2.50! The area continued
to be known as the Russell Ranch although it was sold
in 1925 to William Randolph Hearst and again in 1943 to
Fred Albertson. The Russell family leased back part of
the land to continue their successful cattle ranch operation
while the Albertson Company used the vast acreage as a
movie ranch. Many movies and television shows were filmed
here, including "Robin Hood", "King Rat",
"Laredo", and various episodes of "Tarzan",
"Buck Rodgers", "Gunsmoke", and "Bonanza".
In 1963, the American-Hawaiian Steamship
Company bought the 12,000-acre ranch for $32 million
and, in partnership with Prudential Insurance Company,
commissioned the preparation of a master plan for
a "city in the country". Prominent architects,
engineers, and land planners participated in designing
a unique, integrated community that has become a
nationally acclaimed model for the planned community
concept. "The city in the country" was
named Westlake Village and soon became recognized
as one of America's most successful suburbs and
finest areas to live, work and raise a family.
Today, a population of 8,500 resides within this
beautiful, natural environment of award-winning
neighborhoods, thriving businesses, |
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and enviable lifestyles. The original master-planned community
of Westlake Village is transected diagonally by the Los
Angeles and Ventura County line. The Los Angeles County
side, consisting of 3,456 acres, was incorporated as the
City of Westlake Village in 1981 and became the 82nd municipality
in Los Angeles County. The Ventura County side, comprised
of the remaining 8,544 acres of the original Russell Ranch,
was annexed into the City of Thousand Oaks in two portions
in 1968 and 1972. Today, both sides of Westlake Village,
with an area population estimated at 28,600, identify
as a single community despite the county boundary that
separates them. The wisdom of the master planners in preserving,
protecting and enhancing the natural environment of the
area is evident today in the consistent growth and vitality
of Westlake Village. Residents and businesses receive
high quality community services operated on a contract
basis with private and public agencies and overseen by
a 5-member elected City Council and an appointed City
Manager. Under the protection of Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department, the city consistently maintains one of the
lowest crime rates in the nation. Although the city is
almost built-out, residents and officials look forward
to the completion of a new city hall and library complex
as well as the possibility of a resort hotel and health
spa in the next few years.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE DEMOGRAPHICS & LOCAL INFORMATION
Avg. Temp. 95/38
Population 133,152
Median Age 31.4
Median Home Value $280,000
Median Household Income $64,357
Agoura Civic Center (805) 597-7300
Agoura Chamber (805) 889-3150
Westlake/T.O. Chamber (805) 499-1993
Westlake Civic Center (805) 706-1613
T.O. Civic Center (805) 449-2100
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