River Isle
Creative Story Brief
For centuries, the land we know today as RIVER ISLE has played a vital role for those who were its inhabitants. These fertile fields were first home to the Chumash, a peaceful agrarian Native American society. They believed, more than the land belonged to them, they belonged to the land. Isna-la-wica, Chief of the Chumash, spoke of his people: "We are of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, fields, pueblos, or mesas. We fit into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the land also fashioned the man for his surroundings."
This isle was bordered by two branches of the same river, called Maton Marpiya-Luta Lesa – Island Between the Waters that Flow to the Sea. It provided naturally for the stands of citrus and avocado trees that grew in abundance, field upon field of strawberries sprouted among the wildflowers. But more importantly, native corn, tomato, game and fish from the river were to be the staple of this community and supply the Chumash with hundreds of years of healthy, peaceful living.
 In the late 1770’s, Junipero Serra, the Catholic Missionary, made his way north to expand Spain’s influence in Alta California, establishing missions and colonizing the land as he went. On his way to found his last mission, San Buenaventura, he crested the mountains at what is known today as the Canejo Grade. He saw before him the verdant land that lay below, rich in the colors of life - the yellows and oranges of the citrus trees, and the green of the lime and avocado. But it was the red of the strawberry fields that stood out most prominently. Eyesight failing because of age and infirmity, and mistaking the berry patches for trees, he named the land below him ‘El Valle de Arboles Rojos’. The Valley of Red Trees.
Spending the night as the guest of the Chumash, he was indulged in the bounty of the land and water. Before departing to complete his mission, he blessed the land and christened the river in the name of Santa Clara. Father Serra, in his quest, had opened the door to this bountiful region. Campesinos soon followed and began tilling the land. Selling their wares to those who traveled El Camino Real, another century of prosperity had begun.
19th century saw migration from a new direction - the east. A mere trickle during the first half of the century, the westward migration of European Americans progressed en masse as gold was discovered in Northern California beginning in 1849. Facilitating this movement was the joining of the Trans-Continental Railroad at Promontory Point. Soon railroads were growing as fast as the wild
flowers on River Isle. With the expansion of the Southern Pacific Railroad from San Francisco-Sacramento south to Los Angeles, and the founding of Port Hueneme, a new era and new opportunities were in the wind. Those who tilled the land were now able to send the fruits of their labors not only throughout California and Mexico, but throughout the world as well. The railroad also brought another migration to River Isle. From the north came many who tired of the chase for the elusive golden metal. Their talents were put to use as River Isle gave forth a new crop...
...With the population of California growing rapidly, building materiel was in great demand. Those experienced in mining found employ in the quarries that comprise the eastern boundary of River Isle. The stones taken from the earth at this site have been instrumental in constructing roads and buildings throughout the state.
As the population of this region grew so did the land, not in size, but prominence. In its infancy, its yield was carried north and south by travelers along El Camino Real. With the expansion of the railroad, and the founding of Port Hueneme, that which was harvested on River Isle was available to the four corners of the United States and the world.
 In 1897, two farmers, Albert Maulhardt, and Johannes Borchard believed sugar beets would be a profitable harvest for River Isle, and invited the Oxnard Brothers to construct a local factory to process the yield. With a pledge of 18,000 acres of sugar beets, the brothers built their factory in the heart of the rich fields. The American Beet Sugar Company was formed. The Southern Pacific Railroad then constructed a rail spur directly to the processing site. The new factory attracted many Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican laborers to the area, and brought an even greater ethnic and agricultural diversity to River Isle.
It’s no coincidence that the city of Oxnard, of which River Isle is a vital constituent, bears its name in homage to the brothers Oxnard who were so instrumental in the continued growth of this region.
Those who chose to call this area home seemed to follow their predecessors in increments of one hundred years, changing the face, yet not the soul of the land. As this century comes to a close, change is once again on the horizon. But it’s more than change, and it’s more than the end of a century…It’s the beginning of a new millennium, and the beginning of a renaissance. Here the past will play an integral part with the present to create a community for the future. In addition to the flora that will once again flourish, a new and exciting ingredient will spring from the land… …A community where people, agriculture, and business will not only co-exist, but grow together as one. Its name?
RIVER ISLE…
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