The immediate areas surrounding Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza was among the first populated parts of the Conejo Valley. The site, which was previously home to the Jungleland USA theme park, was home to some of the valley's first settlements in the 19th century. Prior to the settlers, the area was inhabited by the Chumash Native-Americans.[5]
The 210,000 sq. ft. building is ornamented with Indian sandstone. At its highest, the building towers ten stories; at its lowest, 22 feet under ground where it is anchored in volcanic rock.[7] The site was home to a Chumash summer camp in pre-colonial times, known as Ipuc (Ven-654).[8] In the 19th century, the site was land which belonged to Egbert Starr Newbury where he established the Conejo Valley's first post office.[9][10]
Music director Elmer Ramsey was instrumental in the development of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.[25][26] The New West Symphony is the resident orchestra.[27] They are also resident orchestra of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center and Santa Monica's Barnum Hall.[28]
^ abBaker, Pam and Jim Dunham (2002). Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. Community Communications, Incorporated. Page 52. ISBN9781581920611.
^Maxwell, Thomas J. (1982). The Temescals of Arroyo Conejo. Thousand Oaks, CA: California Lutheran College. Page 20.
^Maulhardt, Jeffrey Wayne (2010). Conejo Valley (Images of America). Arcadia Publishing. Page 13. ISBN9780738580395
^Sprankling, Miriam (2002). Discovering the Story of The Conejo Valley. Newbury Park, CA: Conejo Valley Historical Society. Page 31. ISBN0-9725233-0-8.