Iconic Serra Cross still standing after Thomas Fire ravages Ventura area

VENTURA, Calif. -- An iconic cross at Ventura park is still standing tall despite the Thomas Fire ravaging the area.

The Serra Cross, which has stood on the site since World War II, is well known to the local community and has been the backdrop for thousands of weddings.

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Rumors of the cross burning down flooded social media on Tuesday. The rumors were easy to believe, since power lines and everything else around the cross at Grant Park were destroyed.

The original cross was placed on the hill in 1782. Over the years, the original cross and replacements were lost to the elements. The current cross has stood atop the hill since 1941.

PHOTOS: Thomas Fire burns in Ventura County

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A helicopter drops water while trying to keep a wildfire from jumping Santa Ana Road near Ventura, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017.

AP Photo/Noah Berger