Date

Newspaper

Summary of Article

1901
 

CN
 

Joseph Lewis, Sr. forms agriculture partnership with Adolpho Camarillo.
 

11-14-1930
 

CN
 

State purchases option on 120 acres of the 8,600 acre Lewis Ranch.
 

1931
 

CN
 

Lewis Ranch, one of largest in Ventura County, is taken over by a bank.
 

8-1931
 

CN
 

Initial hospital site visit by legislative body in search of location for new mental hospital.
 

1-9-1033
 

ODC
 

State Department of Institutions looks at 3 sites in Ventura County for proposed $1.5 million State insane hospital.
 

1-23-1932
 

ODC
 

Hospital Site Committee agrees on a list of 7 sites for new hospital, from an original list of 200+ sites.
 

4-30-1932
 

ODC
 

The old Lewis Ranch near Camarillo is selected as the site for the new mental hospital.  The purchase price for the 1512 acre site is $415,000.  The projected cost of initial units totals $1 million.  The first units will house 3000 patients and cover 150-200 acres.  It is expected to be largest state hospital in California, with over 7000 patents.  The ultimate cost of the 10 year project is expected to be $7 million.
 

5-9-1932
 

ODC
 

Population of 16,650 in six state institutions-the largest population in state history.  CSH to help with the overpopulation by housing 1000 patients at its opening.
 

6-9-1932
 

ODC
 

Escrow closes on State purchase of the Lewis property.
 

6-11-1932
 

ODC
 

Architecture plan for new hospital to be in agreement with Southern California adaptation of Mediterranean styles of Spain and Italy.
 

6-21-1932
 

ODC
 

Gasoline prices jump from 12 cents to 13 cents per gallon.
 

7-15-1932
 

ODC
 

Construction on the new hospital is delayed as new plans are drawn; using plans from similar State structures is impractical.
 

8-24-1932
 

CN
 

The Camarillo Chamber of Commerce asks the Board of Supervisors to improve road to new state mental hospital.
 

11-91-1932
 

CN
 

The farmhouse on Lewis Ranch is to be reconditioned to house 50 patients.
 

11-25-1932
 

CN
 

The master plan is released to public for first unit of new state hospital.  The cost of initial buildings is $700,000; the remainder of $1 million for furnishings, equipment, landscaping, etc.  The plan includes housing for all employees.

 

3-22-1933
 

CN
 

The first 10 male patients arrive, with 3 staff.  All are housed in ranch house on the hospital site.
 

3-31-1933
 

CN
 

The population at the hospital is up to 41 patients, which is full capacity.
 

4-4-1933
 

CN
 

A State budget economy measure threatens construction of the new hospital.
 

5-5-1933
 

CN
 

The State calls for construction bids—funds for construction are transferred from budgets for Norwalk and Patton hospitals to Camarillo.
 

5-9-1933
 

ODC
 

Location is officially named “Camarillo State Hospital”—the new state hospital for “the feeble minded”.
 

5-19-1933
 

CN
 

The site is chosen for the ground breaking ceremony.
 

6-3-1933
 

ODC
 

Contracts are awarded for first 2 units at CSH.  The cost will be $93,170 to employ 320 men over 120 months.
 

6-23-1933
 

CN
 

The project is increased to cover 5 units, instead of 2.
 

7-1933
 

CN
 

Construction begins on south side.
 

8-18-1933
 

CN
 

CSH has its groundbreaking ceremony.  Governor James Rolph, Jr. lifts first spadful of earth at ceremony.  Adolpho Camarillo is one of the speakers.
 

9-15-1933
 

CN
 

CSH population is at 49.
 

10-27-1933
 

CN
 

Bids requested for construction on Units 2, 3, and 4.
 

6-29-1934
 

CN
 

CSH population consists of 107 male patients.  All are employed for 8 hours per day on the farm and dairy, where they grow vegetables and milk 60 gallons per day from 11 cows.
 

8-2-1934
 

ODC
 

Contracts forwarded to Public Works Administration in Washington, D.C.
 

8-22-1934
 

ODC
 

The work is expected to be completed by 9-1-1935.
 

11-23-1934
 

CN
 

A decision made to locate main entrance to hospital on Lewis Road—1200 feet southwest of the existing main office of hospital.
 
 

4-3-1936
 

CN
 

Dr. Thomas W. Haggerty is appointed Director of CSH.
 

5-5-1936
 

CN
 

CSH opens—largest institution of its kind, west of Mississippi.
 

1-18-1937
 

CN
 

First women patients (300) arrive.
 

4-1937
 

CN
 

CSH is at capacity with 1119 patients and 120 staff.
 

3-1937
 

CN
 

Entrance salary for farm hands at CSH is $50/mo.
 

7-16-1937
 

CN
 

Housing shortage in Camarillo for CSH employees is forcing them to live 10-15 miles from hospital.  On site housing available is for 80, with current staff of 300.
 

8-10-1937
 

CN
 

CSH softball team beats Conejo, 5-4.
 

9-23-1937
 

CN
 

CSH Population is 1500+ .
 

10-1-1937
 

CN
 

Hospital attendant wages are $85/mo.
 

11-25-1937
 

CN
 

1400 pounds of turkey is served at CSH Thanksgiving dinner.
 

1/1937
 

CN
 

There are 20,417 patients in California state hospitals, with capacity for 15,460.  The CSH 1938 building program to add 1700 additional beds will ease overcrowding.
 

1-21-1938
 

CN
 

Construction begins on new attendants’ quarters.