Jeffrey Wayne Maulhardt Boeken

The Southern California city of Oxnard has its roots in agriculture. From the original dry-farming crops to labor-intensive sugar beets and most recently strawberries, each crop brought a new group of people to Ventura County's largest city, located 60 miles north of Los Angeles. Many chapters of Oxnard's enduring history have been captured on postcards and distributed to family and friends around the world. Arcadia Publishing's Postcard History series allows these images to come home and tell the story once again.

In the early 1890s, farmers Albert Maulhardt and John Edward Borchard discovered Ventura County's favorable conditions for a highly profitable new cash crop: the sugar beet. Not long after inviting sugar mogul Henry T. Oxnard to the area, construction began on a $2 million sugar factory capable of processing two thousand tons of beets daily. The facility brought jobs, wealth and the Southern Pacific rail line. It became one of the country's largest producers of sugar, and just like that, a town was born. Despite the industry's demise, the city of Oxnard still owes its name to the man who delivered prosperity. A fifth-generation descendant, local author and historian Jeffrey Wayne Maulhardt details the rise and fall of a powerful enterprise and the entrepreneurial laborers who helped create a city.

The Conejo Valley's rich history spans from the Chumash Native Americans to contemporary suburban developments. Initially inhabited by indigenous peoples, the area saw brief Spanish and Mexican influences, marked by adobe structures and cattle ranching. The 19th century brought a grand hotel and a stage route, while grain farmers struggled with the region's arid conditions. Post-World War II, the landscape transformed into scenic neighborhoods and shopping centers, reflecting the evolution of this once rugged terrain into a vibrant community.

Exploring the rich history of baseball on the West Coast, the book chronicles its origins from 1847, when soldiers first played with makeshift equipment, to the emergence of local talent in the major leagues. Notable figures include Charley Hall, the first major leaguer from Ventura County, and MVP Terry Pendleton. The narrative highlights the county's role in nurturing baseball talent, showcasing its minor-league affiliations with prominent teams like the Yankees and Braves, and celebrating its contributions to the sport's legacy.

The transformation of ranchos into the vibrant city of Camarillo highlights a unique California narrative, showcasing the shift from ranching to dry farming and the growth of key agricultural trades like walnuts and lima beans. The influential Camarillo family contributed significantly to the community's identity, known for their white show horses. Additionally, the city was historically significant for housing the Camarillo State Hospital, a notable institution for mental health care on the West Coast. Today, it celebrates its rich Spanish and Mexican heritage.