August 27th, 2023, Join Michele McKinley, local historian and Piru native as she shares more of the fascinating and diverse heritage of the Piru area. Explore local history as Ventura County celebrates its 150th birthday. Enjoy her interesting accounts and historic photographs. Bring YOUR own family stories to share.

Experience a relaxing afternoon at the Rancho Camulos Museum’s historic buildings and gardens. Engage in a docent-led tour. Bring a picnic and immerse yourself in the ambiance as you step back in time.

Guests can bring their favorite beverage and food for a picnic in the gardens. Docent - led tours are at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 PM. The presentation is at 4:00. The suggested donation is $10.

Pictured is the Cardona Family, circa 1945. Standing (l-r): Amelia, Loisa, Juana, Monica, and Pini; Front row: Marcos, Faustino, and Georgia. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum..
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Pictured above are Guadalupe (Lupe) and Esquipula (Pula) Dominguez. Inset, Georgia Cardona holding the author of the story, her great-grand daughter, Christine. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

The Fillmore Historical Museum is partnering with Friends of Fieldworkers to capture and preserve the stories of the farm workers who have come to our valley in the past 100 years. Christine Cardona-Threadgill is one of the people spearheading this effort and the story of her family, who came to the valley in the 1920s, is showcased below.
If you and your family have a story to share, please contact the Museum, Fillmore.Museum@gmail.com. We will take written stories or can make arrangements to record the story either in person or remotely.
We hope you enjoy the story of the Cardona family.

In the early 1920’s, Marcos Cardona, his wife Gregoria (aka Georgia) and two young daughters, Guadalupe (aka Lupe) and Juana (aka Jenny) made their way from Aguascalientes Mexico to the United States in search of a better future for their family. Two of Marcos’ brothers, Daniel and Maccimiano (Max), had already settled in Fillmore CA years before so upon arriving, Marcos and his family lived in Daniels home until finding their own residence. Marcos and Georgia would then have five more daughters, every two years or so: Eloisa (aka Elsie or Loisa), Epemenia (aka Penny or Pini), Monica, Esther (who died as an infant), and Amelia and then finally a son, Faustino.

Marcos and his family spent several years traveling throughout the state of California up to the Central Valley to towns like Hollister and Watsonville and the San Joaquin Valley where they harvested various crops so they could maintain steady work year-round.

Lupe, being the oldest child, felt the most responsibility to help her family and remembered getting up very early to join her dad in the cotton fields in the San Joaquin Valley, her mom already having breakfast ready when she got up. A full day of hard work would be spent in the fields, with a break for lunch packed by mom and then back to work, not getting home until dinner time. She was very young, having left school in the 5th grade to work in the fields full time, and although their wages were low, she said they never felt poor.

Like Lupe, the rest of the oldest daughters also worked alongside their father in the fields and eventually had to leave school to work full time as well. Loisa had really loved school and though she was proud to have worked hard for her family, she always carried a bit of sadness and regret when thinking about not graduating or moving beyond elementary school.
As the daughters grew older, they were able to stay in Fillmore year-round and went to work in the various local citrus packing houses. They worked in the MOD packing house which was located next to what today is Sespe Elementary School, the Sunkist packing house, and a third whose name was not recalled by interviewed family members, but was possibly the Sparr Packing house, based on local records and the described location on Central Avenue.

Marcos, however, continued to leave home to work in the fields, returning to Fillmore only about a week or so each month to bring home his wages and would then leave again. He continued to do this work until his death and was even away for work in Porterville when he passed away in his early 70’s. Long before this though, the Cardona family was able to put their earnings together and after much saving, they purchased a large lot on Saratoga St and by the early 1940’s their house was built on it. Several years later a larger house was also built on the same lot to accommodate the expanding family.
Around that same time Lupe relocated temporarily to Texas where her fiancé was stationed, and they were married just before he was sent overseas to fight in World War II. Juana and Monica were also married and began to start families of their own in Fillmore. Loisa and Pini continued to work and help their mother at home. Loisa discovered a talent for art and often sketched her own clothing designs, even designing a wedding dress for her niece. Pini loved and mastered baking and baked dozens and dozens of cookies and cakes for Christmas every year for her family and growing number of nieces and nephews, sometimes even creating her own new recipes.

Monica became a successful business owner in Fillmore along with her husband by first opening a bar called El Taurino Café (on Old Telegraph where La Unica market it today) in the late 1940’s. By the 1970’s they owned two additional bars including Castro’s Bar located where La Vallarta restaurant is today. Eventually Monica opened Monica’s Ceramic shop at Mountain View and Santa Clara.

The youngest daughter, Amelia, became the first and only one in her family to graduate high school in 1950, making her parents and siblings very proud.

Faustino enlisted in the US Army in the 1950’s and was stationed in West Germany. He had a talent for music at a very young age and learned how to play various instruments, with a specialty in the saxophone and bass guitar. Being out of the country didn’t stop him from making music as he even joined a band while overseas. Soon after returning to home to Fillmore with his new wife and baby daughter he joined a band and continued to play throughout Ventura County for over 50 years. Faustino played in many local bands such as the Squires, Nava Brothers, the Canela Band, Estrada Brothers, Harry Selvin Big Band, the Ojai Big Band, and Los Perdidos, to name a few.

Though most of the original Cardona’s have passed away and are buried in the Bardsdale cemetery, longevity ran strongly in their genes, with Georgia living to the age of 102 (passing away in 2004). The last three siblings are still living in Fillmore today. Juana, who never seemed to go anywhere in town without running into someone she knew and stopping to talk and catch up, recently celebrated her 103rd birthday. Amelia, who never misses a Dodgers game on TV recently welcomed a great-granddaughter. Faustino is fully retired from band life and weekend gigs but still enjoys playing different instruments at home.

From the time Marcos and Georgia settled in Fillmore to now, 6 generations have come from this family of farmworkers and with various talents and contributions to not only Ventura County, but many other parts of the state and country. Though life is very different for the current generations, we don’t take for granted the hard work and sacrifices that the Cardona’s made early on for the future generations of their family.

Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/cityof fillmore

Notice from Sierra Northern Railway: Two emergency railroad crossing repairs in Fillmore will be occurring next week.
The first will be on Monday 8/14 on Highway 126 (nearest cross street: Trestle Way) starting at 6:30am and lasting for approximately 6 to 7 hours. This will be affecting the Eastbound lanes and the No 1 and No. 2 lanes will be closed with traffic being diverted through the lane for Hazmat big rigs.

On Tuesday 8/15 the Northbound lane will be closed for the Mountain View Railroad crossing. Street will be blocked off at Mountain View and Santa Clara. Street will still be open to Southbound traffic. Repair will begin at 6:30am and again last up to 6 to 7 hours.

Pictured (l-r) are District Governor Marta Brown and Rotary President Scott Beylik presenting her with a Rotary mug. Photo Martha Richardson.
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John Marquez, CEO from Santa Paula Chamber and Santa Paula Rotary, introduced District Governor Marta Brown and her husband/assistant Forest. Our Rotary District spans from San Luis Obispo to Agoura Hills covering inland to China Lake. There are 72 clubs in all. Marta will visit all of the clubs during the year. She talked about the seven Avenues of Service and areas of focus: peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation, and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, community economic development and environment and how we can expand our service projects to aid the community and the world. The Fillmore Rotary Club presented her with a gift basket of local items and a monetary gift to the Rotary Foundation in her name.

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/205/Water-Sewer
Residential Customers

A $200 water/sewer deposit is required of all new customers and those customers who have not established good credit with the City of Fillmore.

A $30 non-refundable connection fee is also required. The deposit and connection fees are due immediately.
Commercial Customers

Deposits for commercial accounts depend on the meter size serving the business. A minimum of $200 deposit is required and is due immediately upon opening the account. A one time non-refundable account setup fee of $30 will be assessed at the time the account is opened.

Customers are billed monthly and the minimum monthly bill for a 3/4" meter is $42.96. Minimums vary depending on meter size and cover usage up to 1,000 cu. ft. of water.
Contractors

Hydrant meters are rented for $2 per day charge. A $1,200 deposit is required to cover replacement cost of hydrant meter. Construction water deposits are either $150 or $300 and are due immediately upon opening the account. Also due is a $200 permit fee. A one time non-refundable account setup fee of $30 will be assessed at the time the account is opened.
All deposits will be applied to closing bills. The balance will be refunded. After 24 months of good credit with the city, upon request the deposit will be refunded.

Customers are billed monthly and the minimum monthly bill for a 3/4" meter is $42.96. Minimums vary depending on meter size and cover usage up to 1,000 cu. ft. of water.

For further information, please call 805-524-3701

Payment Information

The city accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and check payments 24 hours a day 7 days a week by calling our automated phone system at 805-727-4079 or by going visiting our payment website.
Payments can also be dropped off in person at City Hall or placed in the drop box located in front of City Hall on the Santa Clara Street side.

If you wish to mail payments, please mail to the following address:
250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
Important Reminders

Approved water rate changes will come into effect on September 1, 2023. These changes will be seen beginning in the October billing statements. For additional information visit fillmoreca.gov/205/Water-Sewer.

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/205/Water-Sewer
Residential Customers
A $200 water/sewer deposit is required of all new customers and those customers who have not established good credit with the City of Fillmore. A $30 non-refundable connection fee is also required. The deposit and connection fees are due immediately.
Commercial Customers
Deposits for commercial accounts depend on the meter size serving the business. A minimum of $200 deposit is required and is due immediately upon opening the account. A one time non-refundable account setup fee of $30 will be assessed at the time the account is opened.
Customers are billed monthly and the minimum monthly bill for a 3/4" meter is $42.96. Minimums vary depending on meter size and cover usage up to 1,000 cu. ft. of water.
Contractors
Hydrant meters are rented for $2 per day charge. A $1,200 deposit is required to cover replacement cost of hydrant meter. Construction water deposits are either $150 or $300 and are due immediately upon opening the account. Also due is a $200 permit fee. A one time non-refundable account setup fee of $30 will be assessed at the time the account is opened.
All deposits will be applied to closing bills. The balance will be refunded. After 24 months of good credit with the city, upon request the deposit will be refunded.
Customers are billed monthly and the minimum monthly bill for a 3/4" meter is $42.96. Minimums vary depending on meter size and cover usage up to 1,000 cu. ft. of water.
For further information, please call 805-524-3701
Payment Information
The city accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and check payments 24 hours a day 7 days a week by calling our automated phone system at 805-727-4079 or by going visiting our payment website.
Payments can also be dropped off in person at City Hall or placed in the drop box located in front of City Hall on the Santa Clara Street side.
If you wish to mail payments, please mail to the following address:
250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
Important Reminders
Approved water rate changes will come into effect on September 1, 2023. These changes will be seen beginning in the October billing statements. For additional information visit fillmoreca.gov/205/Water-Sewer.

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=27

FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – July 27, 2023 – Sewer Repair Project Update
The new traffic control in SR126 continues to operate and work has been moving along very well. All businesses adjacent to the work area are open and accessible. Both of the church driveways and the Grocery Outlet driveway at The STOP on C Street are open with access only from River Street.

The new 24" PVC line is installed up to just south of the jack and bore pit just south of SR 126, ready for connection once the encased line is completed under the highway. The Jack and Bore pit and receiving pit have been excavated and the encasement has been put on hold pending re-design to accommodate elevations in the field not matching the design. This will potentially delay the completion of the repair project by a week to ten days, but the goal is still to complete the repairs before the end of August.

We are processing change order to replace the collapsed manhole plus reconditioning the next manhole west in 12" PVC in SR126, as it is corroded and in need of replastering over the brick. This will eliminate the need to continue bypassing the D Street sewer while we complete the study/design/construction docs for Phase 2 project and save that cost as well.
City staff and contractors are working hard to finish this project and let the residents of Fillmore get back to life without the bypass pumps disrupting traffic flow and residential neighborhoods.

For questions and further information regarding this incident, please contact Troy Spayd, Municipal Services Director/ Utilities Engineer at 805-524-3701 ext. 232 or via email at tspayd@ fillmoreca.gov.

Please visit www.fillmore ca.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Fillmore, Calif. – On 8-04-23, the Fillmore Police Department will be conducting a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Chief of Police Eduardo Malagon said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

The Fillmore Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Prepared by: Deputy Anthony Zacarias
Approved: by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Above is the early “Cycle” crate label, Fillmore Citrus Association, c. 1900, printed by Schmidt Lithograph of San Francisco. The label has a cyclist peddling down a path. He is wearing a sweater with “F” on it and a flat cap. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Above is the Wayno crate label, Fillmore Citrus Association, c. 1935, which according to local lore, the “Wayno” brand was inspired by workers. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Home of Ramona crate label, Rancho Camulos, prior to 1914
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Mansion crate label, Piru Citrus Association
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Orange Stripe crate label - Rancho Sespe
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

In Fillmore it’s easy to see reproductions of fruit crate labels. They are on the sides of buildings, in businesses and original ones are displayed with pride in people’s homes. But what is the why and wherefore of the fruit crate labels? How did they come into being and what did they mean?

In 1885, the first orange box labels were designed and lithographed. Development of the use of the offset press with lithographs made the labels relatively inexpensive and quick to produce. The labels identified what the fruit was, where it was grown, who packed it and the grade. Across the label was the trademarked brand name.

Rancho Sespe used a label with a stripe going down the center – gold, blue, red, orange or white with a rooster sitting on a shield in the middle of the label. It is said that Eudora Hull Spalding designed the label herself.
The Fillmore Citrus Association was formed in 1897. Its first label was “Cupid” with a winged boy carrying a bow, surrounded by butterflies. This was the packinghouse’s best fruit, the Sunkist Fancy grade. In 1930, the image on the label was changed to a girl’s head with wings in the background.

In 1899, the Fillmore Citrus Fruit Association affiliated with the Southern California Fruit Exchange, which soon became known as Sunkist, to market its fruit.

Different grades of fruit had different labels. The Sunkist Cooperative marketed two grades – Fancy Sunkist at the top followed by simply Sunkist which represented the association’s premium grade of fruit. This would be followed “Choice”, one step below the Sunkist grade.

Below the Cupid brand was Airship which represented the Sunkist-grade fruit. As with Cupid, the image on the label changed over the years, in this case reflecting the evolution of the airplane. “Legal Tender” was used for Sunkist grade after 1935. It was designed by one of the better-known label designers, Godfrey Nystrom.

“Legal Tender” and the “Poinsettia” were originally owned by the Fillmore Packing Company but bought by Fillmore Citrus Association in 1935.

The Fillmore Citrus Association’s “choice” grade was represented in the “Cycle” brand beginning in 1897. Cycle Brand is a good example of how the artwork would change over time. It was printed by Schmidt Lithograph of San Francisco. The first label showed a cyclist peddling down a path. He is wearing a sweater with “F” on it and a flat cap. The next version shows the same cyclist, only this time he is on a motorized bicycle. Finally, the meaning of “cycle” changed completely. Instead of a vehicle, “cycle” referred to the cycle of the changing seasons. Each season is represented by a circle with a seasonal landscape. Most brands which were used over several years saw some change in their artwork.

According to local lore, the “Wayno” brand came to be by accident. The story goes that Frank Erskine, at that time manager of the Fillmore Citrus Association, needing a new brand name, went to the workers in the packing house for inspiration. They suggested “bueno” or “good”, but Erskine heard it as “wayno” and thus a new brand (and word) was created.
Of course, oranges were not the only fruit with labels. The Fillmore Citrus Association gave lemons their own label in 1931: “All Year” and “Sespe”.

Piru Citrus Association had several different labels. “Home of Ramona” had been a proprietary brand of Rancho Camulos, but in 1914 the del Valle family assigned the right to use it to the new Piru Citrus Association.

Other early Piru labels included “Mansion” brand whose design went through several versions but always showed the Piru (aka Cook or Warring) Mansion. Other brands included Belle of Piru, Try-sum, Weaver and Triad.

Because of nostalgia as well as the beauty of crate labels they are being reproduced and can be bought in many formats. When comes to originals, common ones (such as Sespe and Selva for the Fillmore Citrus Association) can be purchased for a few dollars. Others, such as an original Cycle or Cupid, if you can find one, can be much more expensive. Either way, these mini works of art remind us of a different time.

If you want to see more examples of local citrus labels, go to https://calisphere.org/ and search for Fillmore Citrus or Piru Citrus.

On July 25, 2023, Fillmore detectives arrested a Santa Paula resident and convicted felon for burglarizing a local Fillmore business on two separate occasions.

On July 11, 2023, employees at a local business in the 500 block of Ventura Street opened their establishment for their daily operations. The employees discovered someone had burglarized their business by forcing their way in through the drive through window. The employees discovered the suspect had stolen a small amount of currency and various perishable items. Deputies assigned to the Fillmore station responded for the initial investigation and obtained surveillance video and evidence confirming the suspect forced entry into the establishment at approximately 2:21 AM.

On July 22, 2023, employees at the same establishment arrived to work and discovered their business was again burglarized. Deputies responded and collected additional evidence. Deputies obtained additional video surveillance and found the same suspect had entered the establishment at approximately 2:45 AM and he again stole perishable items. In both burglaries the suspect took measures to conceal his identity from the business cameras.

Although the suspect took measures to conceal his identity, diligent deputies assigned to the Fillmore station reviewed the video evidence and identified a person of interest, who they identified as Manuel Alamillo. Alamillo has an extensive criminal history of theft related crimes, and he is a convicted felon.

On July 25, 2023, detectives assigned to the Fillmore Detective Bureau followed up on this information and they located Alamillo in the 1200 Block of East Harvard Boulevard in the city of Santa Paula. Detectives obtained additional evidence linking Alamillo to these crimes and arrested Alamillo.

During a search of Alamillo’s vehicle, deputies located live ammunition. Alamillo’s prior criminal history prohibits him from owning and or possessing ammunition. Alamillo was subsequently transported and booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for two counts of commercial burglary and illegal possession of ammunition. Alamillo remains in custody with his bail set at $10,000.

Nature of Incident: Commercial Burglary Arrest
Report Number: RB# 23-88294/23-93737
Location: 500 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: July 11, 2023, @ 2:21 AM & July 22, 2023, @ 2:45 AM

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services / Fillmore Detectives
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

(S-1) Manuel Real Alamillo Santa Paula 48

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

The sewage main that collapsed back in May 2023 at C Street and SR126 has ongoing repairs. The contract has been awarded to Toro Enterprises in the amount of $3,575,033.55; work began in June. Above is the Sewer Repair Trench Shoring. Photo and info courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=27.
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Courtesy https://www.fillmore ca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=27

Sewage main in west Fillmore – Update - FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – July 10, 2023 – On March 15, 2023, a sewer main in west Fillmore suffered collapse on the intersection of C Street and Ventura Street (SR 126). The City contracted Ferreira Construction to assist with rerouting the flow of wastewater through other sewer mains. Since then, after bidding out the project for “C’ Street Emergency Sewer Repair Project, Spec. No.23-01E on May 9, 2023, the City awarded the contract to Toro Enterprises in the amount of $3,575,033.55.

Since the award of the contract, the following work/updates have taken place:
On June 14, 2023, Caltrans issued the Encroachment Permit for work in State Right to the City of Fillmore.
Dewatering in C Street began on Friday, June 16, 2023.
Work on Phase 1A commenced on Monday, June 19, 2023. Phase 1A entails the tie in of a new sewer manhole in the center of River and C Street and installation of new sewer in the southern portion of C Street, north of River Street.
Toro has completed all the work that they can in the existing traffic control set up in the State Right of Way, including some of the dewatering drilling.

Toro will continue to work on completing the project.
For questions and further information regarding this incident, please contact Troy Spayd, Municipal Services Director/ Utilities Engineer at 805-524-3701 ext. 232 or via email at tspayd@fillmoreca.gov.
Please visit www.fillmoreca.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The Cooling Center at the Fillmore Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, will be open during the heatwave. People are more than welcome to stay inside and cool during our normal business hours from 8am-1pm, but after hours the temperature needs to be at 100 and over for the center to be open. If you have any questions please call (805) 524-3030.