Southern California Railroad locomotive, circa 1891
Did you know… that Southern Pacific Railroad caused the name change of the city of San Buenaventura to Ventura?
Southern Pacific Railroad shortened the name of the city of San Buenaventura to simply Ventura because the original name was too long to fit on their timetables and tickets. The first train arrived at the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (which was located on Fir Street) in Ventura in 1887. It was a big day for Ventura, and the start of many new things to come.