Now occupied by a bustling Mediterranean restaurant, known as Jonathan's at Peirano's, the Peirano Market Building was originally constructed in 1877 in the Mission Revival style by local investors for its first tenant, Alex Gandolfo, an Italian immigrant who opened a general merchandise and grocery store. This simple, yet elegant structure is located across Main Street from the renowned San Buenaventura Mission, which was dedicated in 1809 as the ninth (and last) of the original Missions which were actually begun under the watchful eye of Father Junipero Serra. Together, these two venerable buildings anchor the nationally registered, Historic Mission District.
Within a few years after the store's original opening, Mr. Gandolfo arranged for the immigration to California of his young nephew, Nicola Peirano, who originally resided in the "mezzanine" portion of the building (above the present kitchen) and helped out in his uncle's business. Two small "second story" windows that once shed light into Nicola's humble living quarters may still be seen from Figueroa Plaza.
Thereafter, sometime in the 1880's, Nicola Peirano assumed management of store operations and later purchased the property, which remained in the Peirano family until 1986, when it was acquired by the San Buenaventura Redevelopment Agency. Throughout the first phase of its active service from construction in 1877 until the retirement of the last Peirano proprietor in 1986, the Peirano Market Building was devoted to the sale of groceries, deli items, and general merchandise.
Apart from the Peirano building's lusterous history as a family owned, general merchandise store for 109 years, it is also noteworthy for its placement immediately above the southerly terminus of the intricate aqueduct and lavenderia water system that served the needs of the early Mission staff and nearby Native American village, known in those days as Shisholop Village and located on the coastline, just east of the mouth of the Ventura river.
The principle feature of this domestic water system is a massive rock, tile and concrete structure, which still lies below the floor of the rear portions of the Peirano Market Building and the adjacent structure, long known as the Wilson Photographic Studio, which is now occupied by the newly created J's Tapas. The lavanderia is now encased in soft sand to ensure its preservation.
The general purpose of the lavanderia was to provide a convenient "tank" from which water could be drawn and articles of clothing and the like could be washed. Upon leaving the lavanderia, the "recycled" water then traveled a short distance to the south toward the beach and irrigated fruit trees and other crops planted between the Mission and the shoreline.
Additional information prepared by the San Buenaventura Historical Preservation Committee including a selection of photographs and drawings of the Mission aqueduct system and lavanderia are available at various locations online.
Another noteworthy feature in this immediate vicinity was the one thriving and completely self-contained community occupied by Chinese immigrants who began to arrive in Ventura in the mid-1860's. The pride of this settlement was the "Ventura Chinese Fire Company", which often competed with the city-sponsored fire department to extinguish nineteenth century conflagrations throughout the downtown area. This now completely obliterated Chinese community, which once numbered approximately 200 people, lined both sides of what is presently Figueroa Plaza between Main Street and Santa Clara Street. There were then approximately 25 structures in this densely packed neighborhood, which was variously referred to as "Chinatown" or "China Alley".
Evidence (such as pottery, bottles jewelry, opium pipes tools, cutlery, etc.) of numerous cultures - Native American, Spanish, Mexican, European, Euroamerican, and Chinese - has been carefully extracted from the crawl space below the floors of the Peirano and Wilson Studio Buildings to be cleaned, catalogued and, at some future time, displayed to educate future generations of Venturans and visitors about the rich history, diversity, and intricate social fabric the defined early San Buenaventura.
After years of researching the history and archaeological importance of these structures and the immediately surrounding area, and with the assistance of the San Buenaventura Redevelopment Agency, in late 1977 the local development firm of K.L. Associates acquired the buildings and commenced renovation of the Peirano Market and Wilson Studio Buildings. K.L. enlisted the services of Mainstreet Architects & Planners Inc. to coordinate design and structural issues. The painstaking refurbishment was completed in November, 1998.
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