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Laurent-McGrath, House

La Dolce Vita
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Laurent-McGrath House was a Colonial Revival external link home built in 1901. The first owner was Martin Laurent with his wife Annette Laurent, sister of Justin Petit internal link. The sign "La Dolce Vita" referred to the La Dolce Vita Restaurant external link located in this building.


Laurent-McGrath House (built 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:10:28 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #101028_8687BCX
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Front Porch
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The door at the top of the front steps was the entrance to the La Dolce Vita Restaurant external link. The basement of this building, its rear outdoor patio, south extension (near the patio), elevator and rear staircase were not original and were added after its relocation to Heritage Square to accommodate this restaurant.


Laurent-McGrath House (build 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:11:01 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #101101_8689BCX
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South Face
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The new extension and porch that were added to support the restaurant.


Laurent-McGrath House (build 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:18:54 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #101854_8711BCX
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Restaurant Patio
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A modern patio as fore-shadowed by Annette Laurent who was said to have owned one of the first electric cars in Ventura County. She was reported to have driven the dirt roads of town at a whopping 8 mph.


Laurent-McGrath House (build 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:19:12 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #101912_8712BCX
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Rear Side Of House
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The stone work found at the rear side of the house. Annette Laurent only owned the house until 1919. After that the house went through many owners until it was purchased by John McGrath in 1945. He moved the house from its original location at 403 South C Street to 3824 West Wooley Road.


Laurent-McGrath House (build 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:19:55 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #101955_8713BCX
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Windows
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Close up shot of two of the building's windows. What appeared to be stained glass from a distance turned out to be lit signs and other decorations behind the glass.


Laurent-McGrath House (build 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:20:07 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #102007_8714BCX
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Wine Bar-Cocktail Lounge
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La Dolce Vita Wine Bar-Cocktail Lounge external link was accessed via stairs at the rear corner of the building. One sign declared, "Every Game Every Sunday." Another listed, "DJ Pete Tonight 9pm."


Laurent-McGrath House (build 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:20:16 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #102016_8715BCX
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Rear Of Building
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Entrance to the Wine Bar-Cocktail Lounge was at the left. A sign atop the building's rear said, "La Dolce Vita Restaurante Wine Bar-Cocktail Lounge." A home for almost a century, the house was now a Restaurant.


Laurent-McGrath House (build 1901)   •  Heritage Square, Oxnard, California   •  (Photo posted Saturday 4 December 2010)   •  (Photo taken 10:20:42 Saturday 9 October 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #102042_8716BCX
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