Lou Henry's Studebaker EMF circa 1913.
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Opsahl's Studebaker dealership in the 1920s.
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Horse rescuing a horseless carriage.
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Frank Howard's team going up the "Big Hill."
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[Courtesy Fillmore History Museum]

Excerpts from “Horseless Carriages Come To Ventura County” by Edith Moore Jarrett in Old Timers’ Tales of Fillmore. Edith was a Fillmore native and founder of the Fillmore Historical Museum.

In March 1916, Fillmore’s weekly newspaper proudly proclaimed, “1510 AUTOS OWNED IN VENTURA COUNTY!"

Ernie Smith, like all young fellows, could tell you the make of anything on wheels, so after he read that item one Sunday afternoon, he went out to the road by his home east of town, sat down under a tree, and tallied every auto that passed. A total of 134 when by in 4 hours, and guess which model scored the highest. Yes, the Model T “Tin Lizzie” with 46.

See if you can remember (2021 - or every heard of) the other models he saw that day. There were 18 Dodges, 10 Maxwells, 9 Buicks, 8 Studebakers (the company had retooled from buggies to cars; remember the “E M F” – Every Morning Fixit?), 6 Cadillacs, 6 Chalmers, 4 Overlands, 4 Hupmobiles, 3 Reos, 3 Chandlers, and 2 Regals. Those who got honorable mention for one each were Grant, Lexington, Locomobile, Paige, Winton, and Apperson (the “Jackrabbit,” remember?).

By 1915, John Deere had moved his plows and cultivators over, to manufacture the “Bilt-Well Six” in four models: A 2-passenger roadster “with mohair top,” A 4-passenger “Chummy Roadster,” A 5-passenger touring car at $1295, and a seven-passenger model at $1800. George young sold them, with headquarters at the Elkins Ford garage. He also sold Maxwell roadsters “with one man top” for $655 that he said got 21.8 miles per gallon, and five passenger models for $725. But he sold Dr. William Manning a valley “Bilt-Well six” roadster for his house calls.

in 1912, Harvey Smith was selling Paiges and Hudson's, advertising that “all have self-starters.” the Moore’s Rio didn't. We bought it from a fellow who sold it just to get the 1913 model with self-starter. He was smart. We cranked that big thing, a quarter turn at a time, for nine years before we got a Chevrolet with a starter.

Of course, my folks had to get drivers licenses. I was only 14, so didn't think I was old enough to need one. I just drove and no questions asked. The license was printed on an eight by eleven sheet of paper which stated that the applicant was certified as a driver for life. Mama showed hers to the CHP just for fun when she was eighty-seven and still driving and threw the whole office into a tizzy. Of course, she had had the new kind all along, too.

We didn't push a button to turn on the lights of that 1912 Rio. There was a brassy looking tank of Prestolite, a fuel sort of like propane, on the running board, and we turned in the whole thing when we needed a refill. Turning on the headlights was a family affair, and we all got out of the car to watch.

First, the kid elected to stand by the lamps had to unscrew the latches of the brass-bound doors of the headlights, swing them open on their hinges, and hold a lighted match ready.

Then the kid stationed at the running board with a wrench - after he found it in the toolbox - was supposed to give the valve on the Prestolite tank a slight turn. Since it always stuck, he’d turn it on too much, and if it didn't blow out the match, the gas would flare up and singe the match holder.

“Turn it down!” we'd all yell, the wrench operator would jerk it clear off instead, and they'd have to start over. Usually, it took several matches before they got synchronized.

When Papa said, “We'd better start home now. Have to milk cow before dark,” we knew he was really thinking about getting there before we had to turn on those little lights.

It took a little while for people, to get used to cars. Several have told us how Judge Elkins started proudly down Central in his new 1912 Model T, forgot how to stop it, and rolled along yelling frantically, “Whoa! Whoa!”. Somebody should have told him, “Just step on any two pedals.”

Later on, John Opsahl sold the Judge a Dodge with four on the floor, but he still had a problem. When he took the family to Santa Paula, they all dreaded that short climb up Atmore Hill, just west of the present Rancho Sespe bunkhouse. It was pretty steep until the road was cut down in 1916 to be paved. Few cars could make it up in high gear. The judge solved that one. He’d stop at the foot of the little grade, order family out to push if necessary and drive up in low. He didn't find out for some time that he could shift those gears back from high to second or low while he climbed.

There was another hill that no sane driver would ever think of trying to climb with a car. That is, no one but John Opsahl, our first wheeler dealer. The Big Hill started up the Little Sespe to the oilfields from the boardinghouse at the foot where teamsters could get extra horses and a lunch before they started up that 34 % grade dirt road. But in 1916, John made it with his Dodge demonstrator and showed off “some whirligigs at the crest,” as the Herald put it. After that he advertised, “Dodge, the Car That Climbs the Big Hill Any Time.”

John could have sold sand to the Sahara. Two Elkins brothers, Carl, Jr., and Reed had the Ford garage and advertised “enough Ford parts to assemble a complete car.” And you know what John did? He sold Judge Elkins and sons Carl, Jr., Bill, and Hess, each a Dodge the same week. Only Reed could resist the fast talker.

John was always showing off in his Dodge demonstrator. Beyond the Sanitary Dairy, the old road had two unbanked right-angled corners on property boundaries. One corner had a water tank for the sprinkling wagon. John bet some fellows he could make both corners at 60 miles an hour, and, collecting a gallery of witnesses, away he went. Well, the Doge got around the first corner but took with it just one leg of that water tank tower. John lost his bet, but at least he got a free shower.

Two young men-about-town. Joel Schwartz and Hub McCampbell, heard about it and decided to give their dates a scare. One evening Hub aimed his Maxwell right at the leg of another water tank, planning to swerve at the last second to miss it. He did. But the rear end of the car swung around, hit that leg, and down came the whole tank just behind them. The girls weren’t the only ones scared.

Well, the hitching racks have disappeared. Model Ts and a lot of other models are collectors’ items, and these days we just move our housework into a self-contained RV and think we’re on vacation.

“Horseless carriages killed Buckhorn, which was about to become a town,” Harry Felsenthal said, “because people could get to Fillmore with their cars.” Horseless carriages brought the oil workers’ families down from Torrey Hill and eventually put the Southern Pacific’s passenger trains and a lot of freight cars out of business.

Horses and cars have switched places as a status symbol. If you can support a horse or two, you’re landed gentry. As J. P. Morgan said about yachts, “If you have to ask about the upkeep, you can’t afford one.” But there probably more horses loafing around the county now that the 1,510 autos the Herald bragged about in 1916.

On Friday, July 2nd, Fillmore’s Jose “Froggy” Estrada is back and will take on Leonardo “Chimmy” Morales in Miami, Florida. Photo Courtesy ‘thefogger805’ Instagram page.

Just like the rest of America, Froggy is back at work. Jose “Froggy” Estrada is fighting again after a long layoff due to Covid. It has been a long 15 months since Froggy was going to fight. Froggy was working on getting a title shot for Combate Americas M.M.A. Fighting. Due to Covid the fight in late March or early April 2020, it was called off. “I was ready for that fight!” said Froggy. “I was heartbroken when it did not happen. But like everyone else I had to deal with it.”

Now Froggy is ready and in the best shape of his life, with a fire in his eye, and a drive in his heart, he is ready! Froggy fights Friday night July 2 2021 in Miami Florada, for the new and improved Combate Global. The fight will be at 9 p.m. on Paramount + in english, and in spanish it will be on Univison.

The fight will be Jose “Froggy” Estrada with an 6-2 record vs. Leonardo “Chimmy” Morales with an 10-4 record. Both fighters will come in at 145 pounds. Morales has fought in the UFC, but has not fought in two years. Froggy fought in two JUI JITSU fights during the layoff, and feels ready for this fight. “I have stayed in shape, always training, no days off, so yeah, I am ready for this guy.” said Froggy.

Froggy like always will be fighting out of West Coast JUI JITSU Gym in Oxnard. He would like to say thank you to the supporters that make this happen. Natural Generator, Pedal Commander,Skunk Masters, V.C. Armmory, Limitless, Royal Sports Mangament. Froggy said, “I would not be able to do this without the support from everyone, I would like to thank all my friends and family in Fillmore, and Ventura County. Also my coaches and teammates at West Coast, without all of your love and support, this would not be happing, thank you!”

So now it is time to get behind this Fillmore man and show him support and watch the fight this Friday night! It will be a great one. “The guy will be tough, He is a good kick boxer.” Said Froggy. “But he can’t kick what he cannot see! I going to fight hard and take this guy out! Then it’s back to Fillmore for fireworks and bar-b-q Fillmore style on the fourth!”

Well Fillmore I know how I am kicking off my 4th of July weekend, I watching Froggy fight, the fireworks will be booming in Miami! I hope you can all support Froggy and I hope you all have a safe and sane 4th of July weekend!

Fillmore’s Fabian Del Villar took 4th place in the California State Championship Meet this past weekend, finishing with a time of 9:05.45, setting a new school record and earning a State Championship medal. Photo Courtesy Kim Tafoya.

On June 25th and 26th, VS Athletes in conjunction with PrepCalTrack and Finished Results hosted the California State Championship Meet at Arcadia High School. Athletes that placed among the top 40 in an event could register to compete in this meet. Fillmore’s Fabian Del Villar qualified to compete in the 3200 meters after posting a best time, and school record in the 3200 Meters of 9:12.10.

So here we are at Arcadia waiting for the 9:00 PM start of the 3200 meters. Two weeks ago at CIF SS D4 Championships in Carpinteria, the plan was to go out to the front and run a fast one. Unfortunately, it did go to plan. The early fast pace, the humidity, the heat, setting the pace, and other factors all added up to a third place finish in an event that Fabi was favored to win. Fabi finished in a time of 9:30.18 in 3rd place. Needless to say, FabI was disappointed.

The State Meet was never a sure thing, with COVID still a threat to keep the meet from being held. But meet organizers were able to make it happen. During Fabi’s warm up, The sun was still out 45 minutes before the race, but it felt cool. Fabi said that he felt light, and good, during the warm up.

Twelve of California’s top distance runners toed the line. After a quick start Fabi found himself in last place, but before the first lap was run, Fabi worked his way into first place and into the inside lane. He led for about 2 pedestrian paced laps. On the third lap the pace picked up and Fabi ran in fourth to sixth place. He went to the front again during the fifth lap and held that place until the final lap. That’s when the sprint to the line started with 6 runners who had broken away. Fabi worked his way back up to third place and would finish in fourth place in an excellent time of 9:05.45, a new School Record and a State Championship medal. Fabi ran an excellent race, felt he could have won, but was happy with his finish. This was approximately 25 seconds faster than his prior race at Division 4 Southern Section Finals in Carpinteria.

This is the culmination of an excellent season where Fabi set School Records in both the 1600 Meters (4:20.02) and the 3200 Meters (9:05.45). Fabi is one of many athletes who worked hard and performed well in spite of the COVID impact. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to watch him race and grow over the last 4 years. We wish Fabi the best as he transitions to UCLA next year. Go Blue!

This race can be watched on YouTube, HDRunners, Day 2. Enjoy.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A 16-year old Fillmore juvenile male student was arrested after making a threat of having a bomb while on school grounds at Fillmore High School.

On 06/29/2021, at approximately 11:11 a.m., patrol deputies responded to Fillmore High School in reference to a bomb threat report. Prior to arrival, it was learned that a known male juvenile used an online communication service and stated that he “had a bomb in his backpack.” With the assistance of staff from the Fillmore Unified School District, students were safely evacuated from the premises and the juvenile was subsequently arrested.

The area of concern was searched by investigators from the Fillmore Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb/Arson Unit. The school and surrounding area was deemed safe and no explosive devices were located.

The juvenile was booked into custody at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard for violations of making Criminal Threats and a False Report of a Bomb. The juvenile remains in custody with a court date set for July 1, 2021.

The identification and apprehension of this individual would not have been possible without alert school officials and the cooperative relationship between the Fillmore Police Department and the Fillmore Unified School District.

Nature of Incident: Bomb Threat
Report Number: 21-85134
Location: Fillmore High School (555 Central Avenue)
Date & Time: 06/29/2021 @ 11:11 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services, Fillmore Investigations Bureau and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Bomb/Arson Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Juvenile, Fillmore, 16
Prepared by: Detective Ben Lopez #4397
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).

There will be no Sespe Creek Car Show or Chili Cook-Off in Fillmore on 4th of July. The City of Fillmore will be hosting a fireworks show on Saturday, July 3rd at the Fillmore Middle School baseball field—it is expected to begin at 9pm. Courtesy City of Fillmore.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is in the process of updating the Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The plan update is a multi-jurisdictional effort involving over 20 different partners, including all 10 of the County’s incorporated cities, the County’s Watershed Protection District, the Ventura County Office of Education, and the County Fire Protection District. The HMP strives to inventory the natural hazards that Ventura County is most vulnerable to, assess risks to the County’s community members, buildings and critical facilities, and develop a mitigation strategy to reduce the risk of exposure and allow a swift, equitable, and organized recovery should a disaster occur. The County’s most recent HMP was adopted in 2016, but requires updating every five years to maintain federal funding eligibility. The public is invited to learn more about the HMP and opportunities for participation in the update process by visiting www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org.

Nature of Incident: Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Date & Time: June 24, 2021
Unit(s) Responsible: Office of Emergency Services
Prepared by: Bonnie Luke, Bonniek.Luke@ventura.org 805-765-7007
Approved by: Patrick Maynard