Camarillo History - Lewis Family - Lewis Road

** If you know more about Lewis or want to make corrections, please contact me.

Lewis Road in Camarillo was named after Joseph Lewis the Son of Henry Lewis. Henry Lewis introduced Lima Beans to the United States. He had his farm in Carpinteria. Henry's son Joseph Lewis owned a farm where University of Channel Island is currently located.

Lewis Road, Camarillo. Proximity to his old Lima Bean farm.
Photo taken early 2006, before construction

Henry Lewis was born near Manassas Junction, Virginia, in 1830. He got married to Miss Chattin in 1850. He came to California in 1857. After a few years, he finally settled down at Carpinteria then Camarillo. He had ten children from two wives.

In 1868, Santa Barbara, Henry Lewis obtained some beans from a ship returned from Lima, Peru. He started his Lima Bean farm at Carpinteria. Joseph Lewis, one of Henry's sons, started his own farm in Camarillo. The ideal temperature to grow Lima Beans is 60-77 degrees. California cost line became the key location for Lima Beans.

Lewis family was big and they were wealthy. They needed a garage to park their vehicles. So, they constructed a garage. This building is currently Camarillo Plumbing, and is almost in original shape. Camarillo plumbing is located at 2401 E. Ventura Blvd. in Old Town Camarillo.

Camarillo Plumbing, Originally a garage for Lewis Family (Photography: 6/06)

The Lewis family had a close relationship with Adolfo Camarillo. They worked closely together on breeding live-stocks and farming various crops including Lima Beans. Camarillo used to have Lima Bean Festival long time ago.

If you go upstairs hallway at Lewis Lofts, you will see 20-30 historic pictures of this building.