Ad for 1920 May Day Celebration.
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1928 Colonia Mexico Float.
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1940 Marching Band.
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Maypole Dance.
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1937 Barbecue.
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1972 Barbecue.
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1951 Marching Band.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

We haven’t been able to enjoy a May Festival in Fillmore the last two years due to Covid-19, but we can enjoy looking back on prior events as we think about future ones. This was written by former Fillmore Historical Museum Curator, Dorothy Haase in 1997.

“May Day was properly celebrated in this end of the County last Saturday at Kenney Grove where a basket picnic, track and field meet were the features of the day. The event was attended by a large crowd from Fillmore, Sespe and San Cayetano school districts and everybody there had a royal good time.” taken from the May 6th issue of the Fillmore Herald, 1910 in which it was reported that Fillmore had population of more than 800 persons.

While there were May Day celebrations in various parts of Ventura County, from all records available, the first big celebration in Fillmore was in 1912 under the auspices of the Fillmore Board of Trade, the Parent Teachers Association and the teachers and pupils of Fillmore Union High School and Fillmore grammar school. An invitation was extended to the schools of Bardsdale, Sespe and San Cayetano districts to join with Fillmore in the program.

The activities which were held on the school grounds, including music, singing, speaking, winding of the maypole, flower drills (whatever that was), doll buggy parade, bicycle parade, and a picnic basket lunch under the pepper trees on the school grounds. Hot coffee, cream and sugar were served free. In the afternoon there were many athletic events with prizes of ball bats, fishing poles, tennis shoes, and dollar watches for the boys and tennis shoes, tennis rackets for the girls.

In 1913, the event was similar to the first one, but prizes of silk sashes and parasols were added for the girls and military brushes and fountain pens were added to the prizes for the boys. There was a special race for the lady teachers with winners receiving a silk parasol or box of candy.

There is nothing recorded in 1916 newspapers about May Day events but in 1917, “the May Day festival was the best ever”. The event held on May 4th, also included a wildflower competition and exhibit.

For the Wednesday, May 1st, celebration in 1918, the stage was set for the greatest patriotic demonstration in the history of Ventura County”, with the proceeds going to the Red Cross. The big attraction was the patriotic pageant, Uncle Sam's SOS, presented at Barnes Theater by local participants. The Submarine Base military band was in town for the parade and a concert later in the day. A very special attraction was a number of Fillmore’s fairest daughters sold kisses at 25 cents apiece. As quoted in the Fillmore Daily Star on Wednesday, May 1st, “it must be remembered that for no other cause than the Red Cross would these young ladies even think of such a thing and as it is, they announced positively they will fill no repeat orders. “Again in 1925 the Red Cross was the recipient of the festival proceeds.

In 1921 the Bardsdale school was the site of the mayday activities. The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and people in general assist in the planning and turned out in large numbers. The Fillmore merchants passed out buttons bearing the legend “I’m going to Bardsdale May 14th.”Some old timers tell that the parade formed in Fillmore and people walked all the way to the Bardsdale school to disband.

In 1932, there was no May Day events as such but there was the fourth community happy hour event on Friday evening, May 6th and a tennis tournament the week before.

The first May Queen of more recent years was Mildred Baum who was elected in 1937. One vote was given for every $0.25 purchase or payment on account to have Fillmore merchant. During the period of the contest, almost $100,000 was generated in business.

In 1940, during the festival, the barbecue was served under the picturesque pepper trees and about 700 persons were served. Over 8000 people passed through the portals of the Flower Show which was held at the Mercantile Building.

Prior to World War Two, activities were held at various locations in town, and seemed to be aimed at strong school participation.

During 1942, 43, 44 and 45, there were no festivals are mayday celebrations due to the war period.

Following the war in 1946, the Fillmore festival became a reality again when the Jaycees approved to sponsor the event and shows June 22nd, as the date. The theme was frontier days and special attractions were a horse carnival in the afternoon at the high school football field and a talent show in the evening. Food and game booths were on central Ave in the business district where the event ended with a street dance.

In 1947, the barbeque held on Sespe Ave was attended by 1500 persons and the horse show at the high school football field, 2000.

Kiddie rides (2 merry go rounds, an airplane ride and ponies) were added in 1948, when the midway move from the high school grounds to Sespe Ave, just west of Central Avenue. In 1949, the concession stands and rides were back at the rear of the high school.

For several years the festival was officially opened with the Coronation of the Queen and her court on the Friday night prior to the parade and other events. In 1955, concessions on the high school grounds were opened on Friday afternoon as well as Saturday. It was interesting to note that in that year, the event was held on April 23rd.

In 1957 and 58, the midway and barbecue were held on the high school grounds at the rear of the bus garage. Craft shows provided carnival rides and games in 1959, and the barbeque location move to the City Park.

More changes came in 1968, the Chamber of Commerce took the sponsorship and named the event, early California days. The Trinity parish held their first pancake breakfast. It was about this time that pre-event carnival tickets were available. A child could go to the Chamber of Commerce, sign up and check out a certain number of tickets to sell. When the money was turned in, the child would receive free tickets equal to 10% of his sales. This was a good deal as the tickets were cheaper than at the midway in the chamber received a larger percentage of their take. In 1969 the midway was on Main Street between Saratoga and Mountain View. Several times in the early 70s, the midway was on Fillmore Street between Santa Clara and Ventura Street. The location of the midway was very seldom mentioned in the newspaper articles. Apparently but it was assumed everyone knew where it would be.

Another change came in 1973 when the midway started opening on Thursday night for a few hours. Sunday afternoon opening was started in 1987.

1991 brought significant changes. The midway area was fenced, and admission was charged, also there would be a charge for parking in certain locations.

There have been hobby shows, beard growing contests, hairy leg contest, ladies fancy headgear contest, quilt giveaways, pie eating, orange peeling and greased pole climbing contests plus many other contests and special events during the years past.

For many of us who grew up in Fillmore, thinking about past festivals, we remember the strolling musician, George Espinoza from Santa Paula. George was in our parade for many years, and years, and years, an came out of retirement from other parades to March and hours after his health was failing. He always liked Fillmore because we treated him so nice. He also received a trophy.

Our festival was not a Hollywood type production. No matter what the year or what went on, it was still a hometown event when former residents returned, local residents all go downtown and have an opportunity to see and visit with old friends and make new ones.

Free COVID-19 testing at Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue. Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9am – 3pm. A kiosk has been set up in Central Park located by the Central Park bathrooms. Walkups welcome, you must however register online either prior to arriving or while waiting for your turn. Register at 360clinic.md. For more information visit www.fillmoreca.com/Home/Components/News/News/3364/18

Roche Jewelry Postcard.
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Who is this postcard to Susan Cruson - front [back of card below] suggested caption Mrs. R. G. Cruson, or Susan Crusan, was Kate Crusan Hinckley’s mother, grandmother to Lawrence Hinckley of the Artists’ Barn. Note the address was just, “Bardsdale, Ventura Co. Cal.”
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Mack Sennett Postcard - suggested caption: Beginning in 1915, Mack Sennett assembled a bevy of women known as the Sennett Bathing Beauties to appear in provocative bathing costumes in comedy short subjects, in promotional material, and in promotional events such as Venice Beach beauty contests. The Sennett Bathing Beauties continued to appear through 1928.
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Hinckley Christmas card.
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Hinckley Buffalo Postcard.
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Petey Weaver card to Hinckleys back.
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Tom's Canyon postcard by Ray Ealy.
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Petey Weaver card to Hinckleys front.
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Cash Commercial Postcard.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

The penny postcard was an effective, inexpensive way to let your friends and relatives know what was going on, even to let family know of the death of a loved one.

When was the last time you received a postcard which wasn’t an advertisement or political appeal? When was the last time you sent one? If at all, it was probably before the pandemic since today postcards are usually sent by travelers to crow over the wonderful sites they are seeing. That wasn’t the case one hundred years ago or more.

We have many interesting (yes, even some of the “French” postcard type) in our collection. Some commercially produced, but others were made from the person’s own photography.

The first postcards were introduced in the 1860s. It was an easy, inexpensive way to send a message. They really took off in the 1890s when color printing became economical. The cards were embraced as greeting cards, business advertisements and “Greetings from….” cards for travelers.

Businesses sometimes sent advertising cards such as the one in our collection for Roche Jewelry on Central Avenue. Photos show the interior and exterior of the shop with Phil Roche center stage. It also declares the business to be an agent for Columbia Graphaphones with a full line of records in stock. Mr. Roche may have embraced postcards for another reason – he was the local postmaster and housed the post office.

Other businesses were more subtle. Union Oil of California produced a line of scenic postcards in the 1930s that were given away when gasoline was purchased. Fillmore’s counterpart was Cash Commercial Grocery. They issued a series of postcards showing the scenery of the Santa Clara Valley and the Sespe. It is not known for sure how these were distributed, but it was possibly a free card with the purchase of a specified number of groceries. Locals sent them around the country with messages for friends and families. (Hint for anyone wanting to collect local postcards, look for them elsewhere. They were made to be sent away).

Even artists recognized the use of postcards to advance their careers and projects. Lawrence Hinckley created many cards, especially for his lines of ceramic items. The postcard advertising the ceramic buffalo featured a photograph by local dentist Jim Bliss, who was also a composer.

Local photographers would also issue series of postcards. Ray Ealy was a local photographer who also worked the Fillmore Police Department and was certified to take (and photograph) fingerprints. He had a good eye for landscapes and composition of his photographs.

It was not just professional photographers who turned their pictures into postcards. Amateur photographers could have their pictures printed as postcards and would then use them to send to friends and families. We have many examples of this, either mailed or not mailed in the collection.

Not all postcards were used for serious purposes. “French” postcards were mention previously. The “Doughboys” returning from World War I often brought back racy/semi-pornographic postcards of scantily clad mademoiselles. Hollywood tried but could not really compete.

This leads to the next genre of cards – novelty cards. They are similar to greeting cards we see today. Often humorous, sometimes bordering on risqué, but designed to put a smile on one’s face.

A final area was the greeting card. It was much cheaper, 1 or 2 cents, to send a card than something in an envelope, 3 or even 4 cents. If you were a skilled artist, like Lawrence Hinckley, you could even create your own.

When you receive a postcard from a friend, doesn’t it make you smile just because it was unexpected? Post cards are still available. Rite-aid has a rack, and we have some at the Museum. Maybe you can send one to a friend like Harriet “Petey” Weaver did to Lawrence and Mildred Hinckley in 1939. Put a smile on someone’s face.

Addendum
If a postcard has been mailed, and if the postmark isn’t obscured, it can be dated from the postmark. If it hasn’t been mailed or the postmark is unreadable, then here is a rule of thumb chart for dating postcards, but eras tend to run into each other so it’s not a firm guide.

Pioneer Era (1893-1897) Messages were not permitted on the address side of the cards.

Private Mailing Card Era (1898-1901) An Act of U.S. Congress on May 19, 1898 granted private printers permission to print and sell cards that bore the inscription “Private Mailing Card.”

Post Card Era - Undivided Back (1901-1907) New U.S. postal regulations on December 24, 1901 stipulated that the words “Post Card” should be printed at the top of the address side of privately printed cards.

If no message was permitted on the address side, the card probably pre-dated March of 1907.

Early Divided Back Era (1907-1914) Postcards with a divided back were permitted in the U.S. beginning on March 1, 1907. The address was to be written on the right side; the left side was for writing messages.

White Border Era (1915-1930) To save ink, publishers left a clear border around the view, thus these postcards are referred to as “White Border” cards.

Linen Era (1930-1944) New printing processes allowed printing on post cards with high rag content that caused a linen-like finish.

Photochrome Era (1945-ongoing) or Golden age of Postcards (1898-1916)

Antique (1893-1916)

Old (1915-1944

Modern (1945 to current)

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Two men were arrested for stabbing a victim causing major, but non-life threatening injuries. The injuries required extensive suturing to close the wounds. One of the men arrested is a known Fillmore gang member.

On March 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm, deputies responded to a family disturbance in the 800 block of Blaine Avenue in Fillmore. Deputies located evidence that a fight had just occurred at a family gathering. At one point, two suspects attacked the victim with a knife. Prior to deputies arriving on scene, the suspects’ fled, and the victim was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.

Detectives located additional evidence and witnesses identifying the suspects as Alfred A. Chaveste and Nicholas Guevara. Guevara is a known Fillmore gang member and a convicted felon who currently resides in the area of Bakersfield. Chaveste is a resident of Fillmore.

On April 6, 2021, detectives located and arrested Chaveste in the 700 block of Akers Street in Fillmore. Additional evidence was collected pertaining to the crime and Chaveste was taken into custody. Chaveste was subsequently booked into custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for Assault with a deadly weapon and Criminal Conspiracy. Chaveste was released from jail after posting bail which was set at $30,000.

On April 20, 2021, detectives served a search warrant at Guevara’s residence located in the 4200 block of Charter Oaks Avenue in Bakersfield. During the service of the search warrant, additional evidence was located linking him to this crime. In addition, a Glock 9mm handgun with loaded gun magazines were located in Guevara’s bedroom. The handgun was seized as evidence due to the fact Guevara is prohibited from possessing weapons because of his prior felony conviction.

Guevara was taken into custody and he was subsequently booked at the Ventura County Pre Trial Detention Facility for Assault with a deadly weapon and Criminal Conspiracy. Guevara remains in custody with his bail set at $30,000. His next court date is set for April 22, 2021.

Anyone with information pertaining to this crime is urged to contact Detective Salas at the below listed number. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling 911. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Prepared by: Sergeant William Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Emily Randles, aka Emily Gholson, 32, Santa Paula.

32-year-old Santa Paula resident was arrested for stealing mail, attempting to cash stolen checks, and possession of several “washed” checks.

On April 19, at approximately 4:00 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a theft of mail in the 12000 Block of Koenigstein Road, Santa Paula, Ca. The victim reported that his outgoing mail was stolen from his mailbox, included in the stolen mail was an envelope that contained a check. After the theft, the victim’s bank alerted him that someone attempted to fraudulently cash the stolen check.

The Fillmore Detective Bureau quickly followed up on this case. Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Emily Randles also known as Emily Gholson, a resident of Santa Paula. Randles has a history of theft and drug related arrests.
On April 23, Detectives contacted and arrested Randles in the city of Ventura. At the time of her arrest, Randles was in possession of several folders containing blank check stock, stolen credit cards, additional stolen checks, and illegal photocopies of legal tender (bills).

Randles was taken into custody for several felonies and was subsequently booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, and Forgery. Randles remains in custody with her bail set at $50,000. Her next court date is set for 04/27/2021.

Anyone with information pertaining to crimes of this nature are urged to contact Detective Salas at the below listed number. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to report suspicious people and vehicles, and to report any crime they come across by calling 911. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Please remember that Postal Inspectors across the country work hard to protect your mail. However, with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal Inspection Service cannot do the job alone. You can protect your mail from thieves by remembering to pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Do not leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you are expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail. This diligence will assist in the prevention of becoming a victim of identity theft.

If you see or suspect a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately 9-1-1, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 and (press 3) or visit the below link.

www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/fraudschemes/mai...

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant William Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).