by Patricia Schallert
There are many seniors among us who have lived and continue to live “success stories.” Let’s meet Don Mills (b. 1932), a life-long resident of Ventura, a retired engineer, a member of the Santa Cruz Island Foundation Advisory Council, the All Eight Boat Club, as well as a proud founding member, along with his wife Edna, of the “Pier Into The Future” charitable foundation that puts on the yearly fundraiser “Pier Under The Stars.”
Don has lived in Ventura his entire life and “no kidding”, he says, his mother was also born in Ventura.
Don’s engineering background allowed him to design and construct some of the Ventura Yacht Club’s first docks, and to help rebuild the Ventura Pier twice, after it was severely damaged by storms.
The Ventura Pier was originally built in 1872. The State of California owned it until 1993 when the City of Ventura took over ownership from the state of California. Five major winter storms destroyed the pier and have either wholly or partially destroyed the pier with the last one in 1995, ripping away its final 420 feet with 18-foot surf. The Ventura pier had just been reconstructed in 1993. It was originally 1858 feet long, but after being nearly destroyed twice, its current length is 1600 feet.
The City of Ventura was responsible for maintaining the pier, but after the severe damage of the storms was simply unable to afford the expenses. When Don and his wife Edna found out about the crisis the pier was in, Edna was working for the Parks and Recreation Commission of Ventura and was able to use her connections to get the “Pier into the Future” foundation started. They were able to raise approximately $800,000 dedicated to the pier’s repairs.
After the damage occurred for the second time, Don and the support team made the decision to “build back stronger, not longer.” Don’s design called for steel pilings, which were necessary because the seabed under the pier is mostly rock. Although the shorter length was a disappointment to some, Don’s design has held up well, and except for the occasional loose plank, the pier today is a safe, stable, and iconic landmark on the Ventura waterfront. The City Council of Ventura dedicated a plaque to Don and his wife in a ceremony on April 1, 1990, at the end of the pier, which is now known as “Mill’s End.”
Sadly, Edna, who had struggled with ALS for several years, passed away 5 days after the dedication. Don has many memories of being on and around the pier as a child and for his entire life, including hundreds of enjoyable strolls with his wife. He can still be spotted walking the pier, watching for ways to keep it in good shape. He is excited that there will soon be new benches, new interpretive panels, new flags, and a renovation of the stairs at the pier, thanks to “Pier into the Future”, in partnership with the City of Ventura to continue to maintain the Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy.
