Faria Home on Ojai Avenue (1949)
The Faria property along Ojai Avenue is now the location of Cluff Vista Park. The Faria family patriarch, Manuel del Terra Faria, was a Portugese immigrant from the Azores. The family built their home in Ojai during the 1920s. There was a main house and guest house at the back of the property along Rincon Street. Mrs. Faria couldn’t stand the summer heat in Ojai, so the family moved to a beach house at what is now Faria Beach. They rented their Ojai property to the Erburu family who lived there for many years. Lawrence Erburu, a son, was killed in WWII and is memorialized on the WWII memorial next to the east pergola arch. The other son, Robert, is a retired businessman who once served as President of the Times-Mirror Corporation.
Adamson's Shell Service Station
Many older Ojai residents will remember when the Faria property was the location of Adamson’s Shell Service Station. It was featured in the film, “Smokey and the Bandit.”
Today, it is Cluff-Vista Park, Ojai’s newest park.
Thanks to David Mason for the photo and information.
