Hello again my name is David and I am a Library Tech at E.P. Foster Library and amateur photographer.
This is the story behind the photo.
This is a photo of the First National Bank Building on the corner of Main and California Street in Downtown Ventura. It was constructed in 1926 and was the first building in Ventura to have an elevator.
Another interesting piece of history is that the author Erle Stanley Gardner once had an office in the building. Gardner was a lawyer and author that is famous for writing the Perry Mason series.
In addition to courtroom drama and detective stories, Gardner has written quite a few great non-fiction books about adventuring in Baja, California, fantastic for the armchair travelers.
An interesting book specifically about Erle Stanley Gardner is by local author Richard Senate, the title of the book is Erle Stanley Gardner's Ventura: the birthplace of Perry Mason. Not to get off-topic, but Richard Senate is a fabulous writer, he has written many books on the subject of the supernatural in addition to local history.
And finally a recommendation for the younger folks, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. I know Harriet was a spy, but that's close enough to a detective for me. Just don't lose your notebook!
Thank you and keep reading.
