Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OJAI VALLEY
INN & SPA
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The first known residents of Ojai were the Chumash Indians, who still maintain an existence in
the area. Their word for “moon” is A'hwai , and from this pronunciation, the valley—and later the
community—got its name. Ojai is one of the smallest and oldest towns in Ventura County, settled
in the 1800s and incorporated in 1921.
Edward D. Libbey, a wealthy glass manufacturer from back east, was responsible for the layout
of the town. Previously, Libbey bought and operated the American Glass Company in East Cam-
bridge, Massachusetts. When his workers struck, he responded by moving the company to Toledo,
Ohio, in 1888. Today, that company is known as Libbey-Owens-Ford, one of the premier glassmak-
ers in the world.
Early settlers such as Libbey and Robert Winfield guided the town's development. Winfield
built the Arcade, which today houses various shops and eating places. Their early efforts were chal-
lenged by a raging fire that destroyed much of the town in 1917. Undaunted, Libbey set to work
rebuilding key facilities in the Spanish-Revival architecture style.
In 1923, Libbey built a private country club and golf course designed to harmonize with the
natural beauty of the valley. Over the next few years, it grew with additions. Like many of the
nation's resorts, the Ojai Valley Inn was turned over to the Army in 1942 and was transformed into
Camp Oak. A battalion of 1,000 Army troops used it for a training center until 1944 when it became
an R&R facility for the Navy.
After the war, the government auctioned off the barracks and Quonset huts and the property
was sold. The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa opened in 1947, playing host to Hollywood notables Clark
Gable, Irene Dunne, Lana Turner, Loretta Young, Hoagy Carmichael, Walt Disney, Nancy and
Ronald Reagan, Judy Garland, Paul Newman, and many others. Many well-known tennis stars
frequent Ojai annually, attracted by the oldest amateur event of its kind in the country.
Ojai has long been known as a haven for artists, musicians, and health enthusiasts. It gained
fame decades ago when the area was photographed to represent Shangri-La in the 1939 movie, The
Lost Horizon . The Ojai Center for the Arts, the Summer Art Stroll, the Ojai Studio Artists Tour,
and Art in the Park offer venues for an abundance of artistic expression.
The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is listed as one of the top 25 golf resorts in North America. The Spa
nearby soothes both golfers and non-golfers alike. Numerous galleries show the work of both local
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