The Picture

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.

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“The Woman Lawyer”

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

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The Bad Bob

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

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Easy Health in a Bottle

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…

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The Story of Pierre Agoure

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

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The Water Witch of Simi

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

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The House of the Angel

By Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum When two pirate ships appeared off the California coast in November 1818, it was a moment the governor…

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Stolen Liberty

By Library Volunteer Andy Ludlum The Sunday, December 7, 1941 edition of the Oxnard Press Courier ran a banner headline “FIRST WAR EXTRA”…

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