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The Scary Dairy (Part 1 of 2)


No trip out to Ventura would be complete without including a stop at the former Camarillo State Hospital (for the Insane) Dairy ruins. Known more commonly as “the Scary Dairy,” the site has a reputation for being a party magnet and for being haunted.




Wide view




The Scary Dairy was the principal milk and butter supplier to the former mental hospital nearby. Contrary to popular belief, the dairy never employed any of the mentally ill or developmentally disabled people who’d lived in the nearby facility.


In fact, the dairy was run by the same family for over 40 years. When the hospital closed down in the 1980’s, their lease was terminated and the property was declared surplus.






While the State of California decided what to do with the facilities, the dairy became a magnet for parties and likely burned down as a result of one.


The site is still a haven for late night party people and the ‘occassional’ taggers.


In fact, as we drove up, we caught a college student from what is now California State University Camarillo adding to the multi-colored mayhem on the walls. We convinced him to leave peacefully by reminding him that some of the long-term residents here didn’t appreciate their business being defaced..


He hadn’t heard that the place was haunted.


The former dairy complex developed a reputation for being haunted when partiers would occasionally notice a dark silhouette in the halls or watching them through the windows.









More to follow

Date: 2008-12-08 06:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cynisterfstop.livejournal.com
wow that brings back memories. It's actually considered part of camarillo. Actually They DID employ mental patients there. My grandparents had a ranch up there and my mom grew up around that area. The reason they believe its haunted is because alot of the mental patients would escape and get killed by the locals that lived there. I spent many a time drinking up there. Strange my sister said that they tore it down when they built the school.

Also they used the well of the state hospital grounds in that movie "The Ring"

Date: 2008-12-08 05:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jj-maccrimmon.livejournal.com
I've only found rumors about deaths of dementia affected inmates there. Most of the stories I'd read indicated that the patients weren't allowed to work the dairy or fields due to the ease of escape and the potential for injuries. Good knowing someone who has better inside info :)
(deleted comment)

Date: 2008-12-08 12:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jj-maccrimmon.livejournal.com
Thank you :)

Date: 2008-12-08 04:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] branflake.livejournal.com
He, we have an office in Thousand oaks. :)

Date: 2008-12-08 11:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] prairiesong.livejournal.com
Great shots--I lived in Ventura as a teenager. Thank you so much for posting them!

Date: 2008-12-09 12:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jj-maccrimmon.livejournal.com
You're welcome :)

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