Roadside Wow Table of Contents
Ventura Santa Steve Robles
Artist Johanna Spinks
Link to Ventura Breeze
Faces of Ventura
http://www.creativecarpetrepair.com
You've got to see it
to believe it
Visit Creative Carpet Repair
Owner Steve Gordon
Located in Carpenteria, CA
Visit the city of Carpenteria site
http://www.Carpenteria.ca.us
California Parks and Recreation
Carpenteria Beach
California, Carpenteria to Oxnard Santa
Above photo located on
http://carpinteriacoyotereview.com
A little further south was a friendly snow man facing the 101 Freeway. Santa Claus Lane was a great part of California automotive history. Themed architecture in Southern California became very popular in the late 1940s. It continued into the mid-1960s. Such themed architecture was often used by motels, coffee houses, hot dog stands, the Brown Derby in Hollywood (both the original and the second), and gas stations. Motels, with rooms built to look like Teepees, or a dinosaur park, caught the eyes of travelers, with a promises of a new experience for travelers. The war was over, business was booming. Cars were being sold, and roadside businesses wanted to cash in on the adventures to come.
The Carpenteria Santa was built in 1950, by Kenneth Vaughn. Santa was sliding half-way down a giant chimney, atop Santa's Candy Kitchen. A developer chose to demolish Santa's Candy Kitchen in 2001, wanting to bull doze Santa too. Santa was saved, and moved to his current location in 2003. There were local governmental battles. Ultimately, Santa was rescued and relocated. Santa’s battle was featured in USA Today. It was more than just a local dispute and local news.
Santa Barbara resident, Robert Maxim, of the Pearl Chase Society, found Santa a new home. Robert worked for three years to find Santa a home. Because of Robert, Santa is still a famous fixture along Hwy 101. Robert Maxim passed away November 24, 2012.
The move from impending destruction of the 20 foot tall plaster Santa was to a vacant lot next to a mobile home park in Oxnard, CA (2801 Ventura Blvd. between Rice Road and Del Norte exits). The statue is visible from both North and South Highway 101 lanes. The original chimney stayed behind and Santa is skirted with real red brick. Santa was also given sun glasses to replace his original spectacles. Finally, a fence was built around the small new park, and his golden monograms appear in the front gates.
Oxnard gained a great landmark. The snowman was restored to the scene. A toy soldier stands on duty, between Santa and the snow man, and another soldier on the other side of Santa. Colors are bright and the majority of the park looks freshly painted.
Check out the community events tied to the Oxnard Santa. Join in the festivities of Santa to the Sea Marathon. Learn about the Santa toy giveaways every year. And, when Christmas is close, gates are unlocked, and Oxnard Santa is open to the public. Hours are posted behind the fence.
The history behind Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
All the work and financing to preserve, move and reestablish Santa in his new digs, could not have been accomplished without the help of corporate partners and the volunteers. Santa is well preserved, and maintained. I am glad that many generations to come, will be able to enjoy Santa, who is 63 years old this year, 2014.
