The "Tortilla Flats" mural is almost completed under the Hwy 101 bridge on Figueroa St in Ventura. Tortilla Flats is the name of the neighborhood that once existed by the fairgrounds and river - it was removed through emminent domain when the freeway went in 1969...My favorite is this image of the Ventura River Rats. This video gives some of the history...
The "Tortilla Flats Archives" includes interviews from over 25 oral history subjects. Quotes from those 'old timers' include: "I don't know who tagged us, but we were 'River Rats' if we swam in the Ventura River... I got beautiful childhood memories of the Ventura River, the fairgrounds, Seaside Park... we used to go surf fishing at the foot of Figueroa... we looked forward to getting
out of school to go to the river, and we'd be there for hours and hours..."The freeway and levee changed things forever...
There will be a dedication ceremony and celebration for the Tortilla Flats mural from 11am to 2pm on May 31st, 2008
