Many Mansions Branch Director Cynthia Hernandez.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley has a new clubhouse. Many Mansions Fillmore is officially opened, and they are welcoming new members! Many Mansions Branch Director Cynthia Hernandez is representing the BGCSCV team in the best possible way and they are excited to see the awesome things to come! They are growing and serving more children than ever, and are proud to be
the safe and positive place to be in the Santa Clara Valley!

Fillmore’s George Palmer handing over the Fire Chief ’s hat to Oscar DeFever. Palmer was appointed assistant fire chief in 1940 and was elevated to city fire chief – a position he held until 1964.
Enlarge Photo

Oliver Hamblin's barbershop in 1939.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Barbershops began far back in antiquity. They became especially popular in the United States in the 19th century. They were not just a place for men to go for a shave and a haircut; they were a place for socializing, debating current issues and entertainment.

The first barber we can find a record of in Fillmore was C. P. Allen who was listed in the 1898 county directory. No address was given – Fillmore was small enough that addresses weren’t required. Undoubtedly there were barbers in Fillmore before 1898, the well-groomed men of the community would require one.

Piru’s first barber may have been R. O. Belty who claimed in 1930 that his was then the oldest business in Piru. His was not only a barbershop but also a pool hall. By 1930 he had two barbershops, three pool tables and sold various dry goods. If you go by a picture of his establishment, he also sold tires.

Piru News in March of 1927 reported that Green’s Barber Shop had installed a player piano with “very pleasing tone.” Thomas H. Green owned the Ideal Billard Parlor and Barber Shop on Center Street. For Christmas that year, he raffled off three turkeys. Whenever a customer spent 25₵ at his establishment, the customer would receive a ticket for the drawing. The turkeys were won by Joe Elson of Camulos Ranch, Chet Horton and Officer M. M. Willis.

Over the years Fillmore has seen many barbering establishments. One of the longest tenured was George Palmer. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1891 and made his way to Fillmore by 1913. He had a shop on Central Avenue which was formerly Pete’s Sanitary Barbershop, next door to Jim’s Pool Hall. Because girls were not allowed in the Pool Hall, they often went into George Palmer’s barber shop where a “Dutch” door opened into the Pool Hall. From that opening they could order cokes or sodas without setting foot in the “forbidden” zone. (See “No Girls Allowed” https://www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org/no-girls-allowed).

Palmer’s Barber Shop would be open in the morning well before other businesses as would other barbershops in Fillmore. The businessmen and city fathers of the town would need to have a shave and trim before opening their own businesses.

George was active in Fillmore life. In 1938 he was appointed assistant fire chief and in 1940 was elevated to city fire chief – a position he held until 1964. He was a member of the Fillmore Club and the local Masonic Temple. George Palmer retired in 1968 and passed away in 1970. His son, Richard “Tulie” Palmer was athletic director at Fillmore High School for many years.

George Palmer had competition in town. William Servoss, who was born in New York, had a shop at 368 Central Avenue in Fillmore for 37 years from 1916 until the 1950s. Oliver Hamblin had his shop at 246 Central Avenue in 1928 and plied his trade for thirty years.

William McKinley was a barber in our area for many years. He worked in George Palmer’s shop in 1933, but by 1939 opened his own shop in the Owen Miller Building on Central Avenue.

Other shops over the years include Pearson’s Barbershop which was adjacent to the theater in the 1920s and Olin Core’s Barbershop in the 1940s and 50s.

“Shave and a haircut, 2 bits” is a phrase from the turn of the 20th Century – now a shave and haircut costs closer to $50 than 25₵. But if a gentleman wants he can still get a lather shave with a straight razor and you can still see a red, white and blue barber pole on Central Avenue.

This past July the Family held a reunion at Dolores Day Park, in Fillmore remembering family past and present. The Romeros also honored and celebrated the 100th Birthday of Alice Bustamante Romero, pictured above. Alice is widow of Pedro (Pete) Romero. one of the Romeros that made America home, beginning in the early 1900s. Pedro served in the Army, returned decorated with awards then proceeded working several positions, one was warehouseman on the military base. She worked several jobs from homemaker to librarian.

Back in November of 2021 the Fillmore Historical Museum hosted a book signing for local author Dr. Ofelia Romero-Motlagh of Fillmore. Her book, “The Legend of the Romeros, Then and Today,” identifies and celebrates her nineteen-member family from their humble beginnings as farm laborers to their lives as successes. This July’s reunion added to the Romero Familia’s journey.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Paula Police Department conducted a joint investigation into several theft related crimes that occurred in their respective jurisdiction.

During the month of July, both agencies had a rise in theft related crimes. During this time, the Fillmore Detective Bureau arrested a 33-year-old Santa Paula transient for stealing approximately 80 feet of telecommunication wires from Southern California Edison utility poles costing the victim approximately $10,000 to replace. The telecommunication lines flanked the roadway of South Mountain Road near Balcom Canyon Road in the unincorporated area of Ventura County near Santa Paula. Both agencies worked together and located evidence related to this theft, which led them to identify suspects living in the Santa Clara River bottom. In addition, the Santa Paula Police Detectives also had evidence the same suspects may be responsible for committing theft crimes within the city of Santa Paula.

The operation resulted in nine people being arrested during the search of the river bottom: two for outstanding warrants and seven for drug charges. One of the nine arrestees had an additional charge of possessing stolen property, and another of the nine arrestees had an additional charge of being in possession of a deadly weapon. All nine arrestees were transported and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Various items of recovered property are currently being held at the Santa Paula Police Station pending owner identification.

Anyone with information pertaining to this crime or any other crimes are urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station @ (805) 524-2233 or The Santa Paula Police Department @ (805) 525-4474. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Nature of Incident: Multi-Agency Santa Clara River Bottom Operation
Location: Santa Clara River Bottom, Ventura County
Date & Time: August 18, 2022 @ 7:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Paula Police Department
Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian, Fillmore Police Chief

Presentation

5.A
WATER AND SEWER PAST DUE PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS UPDATES AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHWAP) PRESENTATION BY: ERIKA HERRERA-TERRIQUEZ, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, CITY OF FILLMORE SUSANA LOPEZ-GARCIA, MPPA, DIRECTOR AT VENTURA COMMUNITY ACTION (CAVC) MARIA RAMIREZ, HEAP MANAGER, AT VENTURA COMMUNITY ACTION (CAVC)

5.A Adopted unanimously.

7.B
REQUEST That the City Council adopt Resolution 22-3897, approving a change in job description for the position of Accounting Supervisor. RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution 22-3897, amending the Accounting Supervisor job description.

7.B CONSIDERATION OF JOB DESCRIPTION AMENDMENT FOR THE ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR CLASSIFICATION STAFF REPORT AMENDING AS JOB DESCRIPTION. Resolution 22-3897 adopted unanimously.

Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Head Football Coach Charlie Weis

Last Friday the Flashes opened their season with a resounding 49-0 win over the visiting California City Ravens. Sparked by touchdown receptions by Jarod Uridel and Nate Delgadillo, the Flashes shocked their opponents with 28 unanswered points in the first quarter.

The defense played an impeccable game holding the ravens to under 100 total yards of offense and earning the only shutout in Ventura County. David Jimenez led the team with 8 tackles while Matt Pineda and Diego Alcaraz forced turnovers in the first and fourth quarters.

Six different Flashes scored touchdowns including Nate Torres, David Jimenez (two), Matt Magana, Jarod Uridel, Nate Delgadillo, and Josiah Cruz. The team totaled 416 yards of offense with 276 rushing and 140 passing yards. Sophomore Quarterback Anthony Tafoya finished his first Varsity start with 140 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. Returning All-County and All-League TE Jarod Uridel picked up where he left off last season with 4 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Senior RB Nate Torres rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown including an electric 83-yard rush to the endzone. Junior David Jimenez added 66 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns. Senior Matt Magana also took a 33-yard rush to the endzone while going 7 for 7 on extra-point kicks.

The Flashes are excited to continue their season this Friday at John Burroughs high school in Burbank with JV kicking off at 4pm and Varsity at 7pm.

Ruth Walker, who in 1970 was president of the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, and was present at the 50th anniversary event.
Enlarge Photo

The museum in the Masonic Temple building in 1972.
Enlarge Photo

Museum front in 1974.
Enlarge Photo

Moving the depot in 1996.
Enlarge Photo

The museum site today in 2022.
Enlarge Photo

Pictured above is Ruth Walker, Edith Jarrett, Dorothy Haase 1970, which were instrumental in creating the Fillmore Historical Society and Museum. They sent a letter to 100 families in the community and to businesses and civic organizations asking why they came to Fillmore, when, and if they had items to put on display. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum.
Pictured is the Museum front entrance in 1974. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum, more photos online at www.fillmoregazette.com.
Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum
On Sunday evening, August 21, members of the Fillmore Historical Museum celebrated the 50th year of the museum’s founding with a dinner held on site. Present were members, friends, and board members. Among those enjoying the evening event was Ruth Walker, who in 1970, was president of the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and who, along with Edith Jarrett and Dorothy Haase, was instrumental in creating the Fillmore Historical Society and Museum.
The process began when they sent a letter to 100 families in the community and to businesses and civic organizations asking why they came to Fillmore, when, and if they had items to display. They used the site of the Chamber’s offices on the ground floor of the Masonic Temple Building as the first Museum site. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
The museum opened its doors for the first time in 1971. The first display was a doll collection donated by Mrs. Clarence Cochran. This collection is still on display in the Bunkhouse as is another of the early donations, a 1910 Regina Corona music box donated by the Carl Burson Sr. family. It is in still operating and can be heard in the Bunkhouse.

It soon became apparent that more space was needed. In 1972 Southern Pacific Railroad was going out of business and tearing down any structures along the right of way. It was suggested that Edith approach the railroad with a request that they donate the 1888, beat-up, depot to the Society. They didn’t donate it but they gave her a good sale price - $1.00 plus 5 cents tax. They also gave her just one week to move it or it would be torn down. That week, she went to the Fillmore City Council asking for a location on which to place the depot. The location was immediately located and approved - a small lot east of the Fillmore Fire Station on the alley between Central and Fillmore Streets. Edith paid for the move and the restoration of the depot.

Fate took over in 1994 when the Northridge Earthquake rocked the Museum’s very foundations.
Light fixtures came off the ceiling, display cases toppled, and artifacts broke. The Museum closed for 4 years. Before the earthquake, Dorothy Haase had been working with the city on a plan to move the depot to a city owned parcel along the railroad tracks on Main St. The earthquake and subsequent need for massive repairs to the downtown area propelled the city council to form a task group to propose plans for the future of downtown Fillmore. Tourism was one of the areas of interest and the move of the depot to the area near the tracks was one of the approved projects.

The earthquake also had severely impacted large numbers of homes in Fillmore. One of these homes was owned in the early years by Dr. Ira Hinckley. It sat on a parcel on First Street. This parcel also had a barn to the north which had been transformed by artist Lawrence Hinckley into the famous “Artist’s Barn”. The house, off its foundation, was destined for destruction. The owner, Oliver Corl, instead donated it to the Museum. In just a few months it was moved from First Street to its new location on the west end of the new Museum site.

Within the year, Jim Finch donated the Rancho Sespe Bunkhouse to the Museum. It was moved down highway 126 in the dead of night to a location on the east side of the new Museum site.

The last building moved was the depot. It was moved in 1996 to its current location along the railroad on Main St. It was the final building restored and was opened in 2006.

Since then, the center of the Museum site has been paved and trees planted. The gazebo which had originally been in the park north of the city hall and then moved to the vacant Masonic Temple site was moved again to its permanent location on the Museum site.

More recently a display building was built to house a 1930 Model A pickup which was restored by students at Fillmore High School under the direction of teacher, Lin Thomas. Finally a small post office building which was the first post office in Bardsdale was placed on the site. Before the earthquake it had been located on the dock of the depot.

We had considered the site complete. But in 2021 we received the donation of a 1926 American LaFrance fire engine which had been restored by a group of Fillmore volunteer firemen. The fire engine was used in Fillmore from 1927 until the early 1950s. A new building is in the planning stages to soon be constructed to house this beautiful vehicle. And, of course, fundraising has begun to pay for this new addition.

But, we do more than restore buildings. We are open to tourists from all parts of the world and the United States. We provide school tours for students, scouts and families. We do research on local historical events and write stories for you to enjoy in the Gazette and online on the Museum website.

We, the Museum staff and volunteers, hope that you will visit the Museum, enjoy the many new displays and become members in support of our projects. We also welcome new volunteers – people who want to help by leading tours or just want to know more about local history.

Learn more about our programs by visiting our website: fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org. Or just come by and visit us at 350 Main St. in Fillmore, CA. You can also contact us at Fillmore.museum@gmail.com