A brave shopkeeper named Walter Chaffee guarded the American flag outside his store, even when others tried to steal it away. During the Civil War, it was hard to be a Union supporter in California, but Walter and his friends secretly met to stand up for freedom and fairness for everyone.

By Andy Ludlum — Even after 76 years, John Doughty’s memories as an 8-year-old in 1910 were as clear as if it were yesterday. The Simi Valley man said his mother, Annie, began crying and yelling when she first spotted Halley’s Comet. She fell to her knees and waved her arms up and down in prayer. She was certain the comet was a sign from God, “a cyclone that would burn a hole through the Earth.”

By Andy Ludlum — April 8, 1917, two days after the United States had declared war on Germany, a group of 31 men, posed in front of the Ventura Mill & Lumber Company.

By Andy Ludlum — Mary Belle Spencer of Chicago became the first woman to represent a criminal defendant in Ventura County history.

by Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum Marjery Misner was described in 1924 by The Los Angeles Times as a “pretty, young teacher.”  Near the…

by Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum When a baby was teething and wouldn’t stop crying, there’s a good chance that Ventura County parents in…

by Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum One hundred years ago a tragic mix of poor judgment, navigational errors, irregular currents, and fog cost 23…

By Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum Ventura residents were shocked in February 1921 when they read about girls rioting at the local state training…

By Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum This is the story of an early Ventura County sheep rancher. His remarkable tale has been overlooked and…

By Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum It was a stand-off worthy of the old Wild West. The taciturn lawman was face to face with…

By Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum The frail old man, known to everyone in Simi as “Grandpa Stones,” practically had to be carried over…

By Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum It was the opening day of duck season in October 1925. The last thing the hunters expected to…