Piru - 1:50 AM; 15 ft.; 23 miles downstream

Piru – “This word is derived from the Indian term for a reed that grew along the creek banks, and was used in basket-making.”Piru is a quit little community, a favorite location for all of the movie companies. One of the largest citrus packing houses is located here. Piru Lake, approved controlled by the United Water Conservation District, is a recreational area for water skiing, fishing, and camping.

Piru, a part of the 14,ooo acres of the Piru Fruit Rancho, is situated near the base of the mountains where the Piru Creek and the Santa Clara River meet. It is in the upper end of the Santa Clara Valley, in the eastern section of Ventura County.

The property, which was patented to the Temescal Land Grant, was purchased in 1887 from the Del Valle brothers by David C. Cook of Elgin, Illinois, the proprietor of the greatest publishing house in the United States. This was quickly followed by the founding of the town of Piru City, as it was once called, owned and controlled by Mr. Cook.