On Thursday morning, April 29th, next to the post office on Central Avenue, film crews were set up and blocking off part of the street to film a promo for a food network.
On Thursday morning, April 29th, next to the post office on Central Avenue, film crews were set up and blocking off part of the street to film a promo for a food network.
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Mistletoe postcard.
Mistletoe postcard.
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Roche Jewelry Postcard.
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.”
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.
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.
Hinckley Christmas card.
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Hinckley Buffalo Postcard.
Hinckley Buffalo Postcard.
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Petey Weaver card to Hinckleys back.
Petey Weaver card to Hinckleys back.
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Tom's Canyon postcard by Ray Ealy.
Tom's Canyon postcard by Ray Ealy.
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Petey Weaver card to Hinckleys front.
Petey Weaver card to Hinckleys front.
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Cash Commercial Postcard.
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)

 


 
(l-r) Alfred A. Chaveste, 40, Fillmore and Nicholas Paul Guevara, 20, Bakersfield.
(l-r) Alfred A. Chaveste, 40, Fillmore and Nicholas Paul Guevara, 20, Bakersfield.
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Ventura County Sheriff's Department
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.
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).

 
On April 22nd at 1:02pm, Ventura City Police Department was dispatched to a stolen vehicle located at Wells Road and Cirus Drive in Ventura. At approximately 1:45pm CHP was behind the stolen vehicle on Ventura Street and A Street in Fillmore. Four minutes later vehicle was eastbound at Ventura Street and Mountain View. At 1:59pm CHP were in pursuit, with subject located westbound at Guiberson Road, passing Auto & Sons Nursery. CHP had spike stripes deployed after canceling the pursuit due to pursued vehicle driving on wrong side of the road at 80 MPH. A Ventura County Sheriff’s Department unit spotted the vehicle southbound on Guiberson and a VCSO unit advised dispatched if their unit could take over pursuit, according to a VCSO watch commander. Stolen vehicle stopped in front of Elkins Ranch and subject fled on foot, northbound towards orchards, and a perimeter was conducted. A Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter was on scene in the area attempting to locate the suspect. During the search a subject was detained by CHP. VCSO handed scene back to CHP. No information was made available on the subject arrest. Info courtesy Ventura County Sheriff’s Department West County traffic. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On April 22nd at 1:02pm, Ventura City Police Department was dispatched to a stolen vehicle located at Wells Road and Cirus Drive in Ventura. At approximately 1:45pm CHP was behind the stolen vehicle on Ventura Street and A Street in Fillmore. Four minutes later vehicle was eastbound at Ventura Street and Mountain View. At 1:59pm CHP were in pursuit, with subject located westbound at Guiberson Road, passing Auto & Sons Nursery. CHP had spike stripes deployed after canceling the pursuit due to pursued vehicle driving on wrong side of the road at 80 MPH. A Ventura County Sheriff’s Department unit spotted the vehicle southbound on Guiberson and a VCSO unit advised dispatched if their unit could take over pursuit, according to a VCSO watch commander. Stolen vehicle stopped in front of Elkins Ranch and subject fled on foot, northbound towards orchards, and a perimeter was conducted. A Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter was on scene in the area attempting to locate the suspect. During the search a subject was detained by CHP. VCSO handed scene back to CHP. No information was made available on the subject arrest. Info courtesy Ventura County Sheriff’s Department West County traffic. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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On April 24, 2021, at noon, a tan Buick sedan crashed into a 500 gallon propane tank in the 1000 block of Owen Street, Bardsdale. The collision ruptured the tank, and an evacuation of residents was ordered by the Fillmore Fire Department. CHP set up a temporary roadblock, according to sources. No injuries were reported, and the situation was safely resolved by agencies on the scene.
On April 24, 2021, at noon, a tan Buick sedan crashed into a 500 gallon propane tank in the 1000 block of Owen Street, Bardsdale. The collision ruptured the tank, and an evacuation of residents was ordered by the Fillmore Fire Department. CHP set up a temporary roadblock, according to sources. No injuries were reported, and the situation was safely resolved by agencies on the scene.
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Live in the Heritage Valley (Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru) and need a ride to get your COVID vaccine? For a limited time, Valley Express is offering FREE rides on their Dial-A-Ride service to your vaccination appointment. Simply call 805-933-2267 to schedule your DAR trip after you secure your appointment. This service is not available for drive through vaccine appointments. Courtesy County of Ventura Facebook Page.

 
On Thursday, April 21, 2021 at 5:31pm, Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore Fire and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a vehicle versus pedestrian located in the alley east of Fillmore PD station. Arriving crews found a young patient on the ground with a bike down. Patient was treated by AMR and transported to a local hospital. Condition of the patient unknown. Fillmore Police Department units remained on scene to investigate the incident. Cause of the collision is under investigation. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel-AE News.
On Thursday, April 21, 2021 at 5:31pm, Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore Fire and AMR paramedics were dispatched to a vehicle versus pedestrian located in the alley east of Fillmore PD station. Arriving crews found a young patient on the ground with a bike down. Patient was treated by AMR and transported to a local hospital. Condition of the patient unknown. Fillmore Police Department units remained on scene to investigate the incident. Cause of the collision is under investigation. Photos courtesy Angel Esquivel-AE News.
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Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Fillmore Police Department will be hosting a program to educate newly licensed and future licensed drivers. Start Smart is a cooperative effort between the California Highway Patrol, Fillmore Police Department, teenage drivers, and their parents.

In an attempt to remain proactive and not reactive, the Start Smart Program is designed to help young drivers and their parents/guardians understand the responsibilities associated with driving a motor vehicle. Start Smart will show how a poor choice behind the wheel can change the lives of everyone involved. Our goal is to raise awareness and reduce the number of teen-related injuries and deaths due to collisions.

Interested parents are asked to call the Fillmore Police Department at 805-524-2233 or email RobertG.Thomas@Ventura.org for more information and to make a reservation; space is limited. There is no charge to attend the program.

Due to Covid-19 health and safety guideline, this course will be offered online, via Microsoft Teams. Parents/child will have the ability to participate in the class from the safety of their homes and still be able to interact with the deputies presenting the course. This course will also be available in Spanish during the same allotted date/time as mentioned above.

The Fillmore Police Department would like to thank the Fillmore Unified School District and Fillmore High School administration for their assistance so that students may use school-issued laptops to attend the class. The funding for this program is being provided by a grant issued from the California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

Nature of Incident: Start Smart Driving Education Class
Location: Online course via Microsoft Teams
Date & Time: May 1, 2021 / 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services
Prepared by: Deputy Robert Thomas / Deputy Jamal Labbe
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

 
Fillmore City Fire crews were out working on local bike paths, clearing away overgrown brush last weekend. Pictured is one of the vehicles pulling a woodchipper.
Fillmore City Fire crews were out working on local bike paths, clearing away overgrown brush last weekend. Pictured is one of the vehicles pulling a woodchipper.
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Some of the dead shrubs waiting to be mulched.
Some of the dead shrubs waiting to be mulched.
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