Ventura County Landmark No. 100: Justin Petit Ranch House
Historical Background
This Queen Anne Victorian-style house is one of fifteen turn-of-the-century structures relocated to a city block in downtown Oxnard called Heritage Square. Originally built in 1896 on Wooley Road, it was the first farm residence in Ventura County to have electricity. The two-story house had eight porches, seven bedrooms, two parlors, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, foyer, and maid’s room. The house features unique curved windows and a profusion of architectural details. A native of France, Justin Petit became one of the most successful farmers of lima beans, sugar beets, and lemons in the County. Architects: F. P. Ward and Herman Anlauf. (Other landmarks located at Heritage Square: Landmarks No. 70 and 145.)
Family History
The Petit family emigrated from France to America in 1853 when baby Justin was two years old; his sister Annette was 12. The Petits settled first in Pennsylvania, then Kansas; after Annette and her husband moved to California, the rest of the family followed. Here, Justin married Frances Kaufman, one of the five Kaufman daughters whose father was the first American pioneer to farm in the Santa Clara River Valley. The Petits had seven children. Like many early farmers from humble beginnings, the success of their sugar beet and lima bean crops enabled the Petits to grow wealthy in Oxnard.
House Design
The Petit Ranch House is an exceptional example of Queen Anne Style and the only house in Heritage Square that fits unambiguously into a definite architectural category. This fanciful late Victorian style was typified by irregular rooflines, towers, spindle work, and multiple surface designs and colors. The Petit house embraces them all. Of special note is the two-story bay window with its rare, curved glass and colored flash glass panes. Designed by Herman Anlauf, who also designed Santa Paula’s Faulkner House and the Camarillo Ranch House, this one is notable as the first farmhouse in Ventura County to be electrified.
Date Designated: April 1986
Location: Heritage Square, 730 S B Street, Oxnard
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