If you haven’t noticed, your local history museum is open once again.

Although we were closed to the public for over a year, our dedicated volunteers continued their efforts to make your museum one of the best around. You’ve been reading the articles in the Gazette and Facebook, but have you checked out our updated website at FillmoreHistoricalMuseum.org? Besides getting a glimpse at the many exhibits, you can read or reread all the articles we’ve been writing at https://www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org/story-index.

That’s not our only online presence. If you aren’t familiar with TheClio.org, check it out. It’s a great resource if you are looking for places to visit around the country. Our page on TheClio.org, https://theclio.com/entry/99487 , will give potential visitors a virtual tour of our main buildings, the 1919 Rancho Sespe Bunkhouse, the 1887 Southern Pacific Depot and the 1905 Hinckley Bungalow.

We took advantage of the Covid closure to create new exhibits on our Pioneer Families, vintage cameras and the evolution of sound and entertainment in the Santa Clara Valley since 1900. Other exhibits have been added to or refreshed. On temporary loan are vintage hats on display in the Bunkhouse.

Have you noticed the emphasis on volunteers? We are a totally volunteer organization and receive no support for any government entity. We are truly the Fillmore community’s museum. We are always looking for new resources who can help us with projects. If you have an interest or a skill that you think might be useful, please let us know. It doesn’t have to be a commitment to be a docent. We’ve had people help us by translating documents (Italian) and display signs (Spanish); refurbish Victrolas; organize our reference library; help organize our storage area. We would like to create a roster of people we can call on if we just need manpower to complete a task. Think about it and if you are interested in supporting your local museum, email us at Fillmore.Museum@gmail.com.

The most important thing is to come and visit us at 340 Main Street. We are open from 9 am to 4 pm from Wednesday through Friday, closing for the noon hour, and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturdays.

A crowd at the 1927 Motorcycle Race with Mount San Cayetano in the background. The race was sponsored by the LA Motorcycle Club and the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. It brought riders from all over Southern California to race.
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Trophy won by P. A. Bigsby.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Friday mornings at the Museum are usually quiet. There’s time to catch up on the computer and check out the new displays. One morning in 2019 the phone rang and a gentleman asked, “What do you know about the Reliability Race in 1927?”

Me, “Nothing, but we can look for it in our old newspapers. Give me your contact information and I’ll see what I can find.”

The quiet dusty upstairs newspaper room is full to the ceiling with boxes and bound copies of the Fillmore Herald and the Gazette going back to 1903.I pulled the 15” by 21” book of Fillmore Heralds for 1927 down from the shelf and began leafing through the May issues. There it was for May 20, “P. A. Bigsby Wins Hill Climb and Trail Race.” Our gentleman explained that he was doing research for a book on Bigsby who won the race. He has the trophy from the race and was so very happy to get a copy of the newspaper article.

The Herald article describes an exciting event. Sponsored by the LA Motorcycle Club and the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce it bought riders from all over Southern California. The race started at the Fairbanks property which we know as the big white house on Fourth Street, climbed the hill to the Arundell’s up the Sespe, and came down Pole Creek which had been dammed up, crossing it eleven times. The course was 4.7 miles long with some very steep sections zig-zagging up the hills. Riders were given 28 minutes to complete the first lap, 24 minutes for the second, and 21 for the following 11 for a total of 13 laps. Points were deducted for stalling or touching a foot down. That was a lot of excitement for our little town.

P. A. Bigsby the winner was not just a racer; he was an engineer, inventor, and builder. Wikipedia tells us that he was a foreman for Crocker Motorcycles and designed the overhead valve-cylinder head for Crocker engines. He pioneered the solid body guitar. He also built custom guitars for musicians who played on shows in the early days of television. Some appeared with the Spade Cooley Band and on the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show. He designed the vibrato foot for electric guitars which it is a system that was used by Fender Guitars, a feature that is still being used today.

Two years pass and the pandemic closed down the country. Slowly things are beginning to open again including the Museum. The staff and volunteers can begin working on projects. Recently John Nichols of Santa Paula donated a picture of a motorcycle race to the collection. There is no date, no caption, and no label. A close look reveals Mount San Cayetano in the background and tells us the picture was taken in Fillmore. The motorcycles in the picture look old enough to be from 1927. Rereading the May 20, 1927 Fillmore Herald, we found that P. A. Bigsby wore the number 31 and rode a Harley Davidson. There doesn’t seem to be a number 31 in the picture but let’s take a closer look. We zoomed in and there right in the foreground of the picture a rider in white has a faint 31 on his shirt and he is straddling a Harley. That’s got to be him. We passed along our new information to a very happy gentleman who sent us a picture of the beautiful silver trophy won so long ago in our own little town.

If you have are working on a mystery give us a call. Maybe we can help you out. It’s so satisfying pulling together these pieces of the puzzle.

Fillmore’s Fabian (Fabi) Del Villar (above) set a new school record in the two-mile record. The previous record of 9:15.5 was set by Ben Aparicio in 1968; converts to a 3200-meter time of 9:12.28. Fabi converted the time by about .18 seconds making the new record 9:12.10 Photo courtesy Michael Torres.

It took almost 53 years for a Fillmore athlete to set a new record in two mile while running a 3200 Meter race. On Friday night at 8:15 PM, Fabi as he is known by friends and Family toed the starting line at the fabled Arcadia Invitational. Along with 25 quality athletes, he raced 8 laps of the 400 meter oval to place second, less than a second behind the eventual winner from Laguna Beach.

After the first lap, and overcoming a poor start that put him in 22nd place, Fabi worked his way around a large bunched up group of runners eight wide. He had to go out to the 4th lane before he took the lead for laps two through four. During the next few laps, he drifted as far back as fifth before moving back into the third position and finally moving into second. During the final 100 meters, Fabi closed on the eventual winner all the way to the finish before running out of real estate and posting a school record time of 9:12.10.

On the conversion calculator, the school two mile record set by Ben Aparicio on May 17, 1968 at CIF Prelims hosted by Cerritos College of 9:15.5, converts to a 3200 meter time of 9:12.28. So Fabi ran a faster converted time by about .18 seconds.

It was an exciting night for this young athlete who has only been able to run the 3200 meters twice over the last two years, as a result of the CIF safety precautions due to COVID-19. We hope that Fabi will be able to race again during his Fillmore High School tenure. His next major race will be at the Ventura County Track and Field Championships on May 21st at Moorpark High School.

After graduation, he will attend UCLA and would like to continue running and pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Christian Mauricio Ortis, 24, Moorpark.

A 24-year-old Moorpark man arrested for spray painting gang graffiti and causing hundreds of dollars of vandalism damage within the city of Fillmore.

Between March 19, 2021 to March 21, 2021, deputies responded to several reports of an unknown suspect who had spray painted gang related graffiti on cement walls throughout the city of Fillmore. Fillmore patrol deputies began the initial investigation.

The investigation led to deputies locating evidence pertaining to gang related graffiti which was determined to be from two documented rival gangs from the cities of Moorpark and Fillmore.

Detectives from the Fillmore Station continued with an extensive two-month long investigation. The investigation resulted in the vandalism suspect being identified as Moorpark resident Christian Ortis.

On May 11, 2021, Fillmore detectives located and arrested Ortis in the 50 block of Majestic Court in Moorpark. Ortis was taken into custody and he was subsequently booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for violations of PC 594 (b) (2) (a) / Graffiti Vandalism and PC 186.22/participation in a Criminal Street Gang. Ortis remains in custody with his bail set at $100,000. His court date is set for May 13, 2021.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. Gang graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious conflicts between rival gangs. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. The Fillmore Detective Bureau recently arrested Christian Ortis and charged him with numerous counts of graffiti vandalism that occurred within the City of Fillmore. The charges amount to a felony.

Over the last month, numerous locations in and around Fillmore were targeted by a graffiti vandal. Some of these locations included private residences and city / county owned property. Using spray paint, the vandal would deface locations with various gang lettering.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across. After police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed.

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

Graffiti Removal
The city removes all graffiti by either painting over it or by using the power washer, depending upon the location of the graffiti. If graffiti is on private property, the city secures a signed agreement from the property owner giving them permission to do the work. Call the city at (805) 524-1500 if you see graffiti within the city and they will take steps to remove it.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and graffiti 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.

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.

Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested for Vandalism and Criminal Street Gang charges
Report Number: 21-36406 / 21-36419 / 21-37577
Location: 800 Block of Santa Clara Street, Fillmore Ca
800 Block of Oliver Street, Fillmore Ca
600 Block of Boulder Street, Fillmore Ca
Date & Time: March 19, 2021 through March 21, 2021
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department Patrol Services, Fillmore Detective Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(A-1) Christian Mauricio Ortis, Moorpark, 24
Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

The Board of Trustees of the Bardsdale Cemetery has announced they will be having their Memorial Day Ceremony this year at 11am on Monday, May 31st. Everyone is encouraged to attend and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. A complete program will be announced the week before Memorial Day.

(Above) Photo from the last event held in May of 2019.
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May is National Bike Month, and with bicycle-related injuries peaking in the summer months, this is an ideal time to adopt some proven injury-prevention strategies before sharing the road with motor vehicles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children (5-14 years) and adolescents (15-19 years) have the highest rates of nonfatal bicycle-related injuries, accounting for more than one-third of all bicycle-related injuries seen in U.S. emergency departments. A bicycle helmet is a cyclist’s best line of defense, reducing risk of head injury by more than 50%. For severe head injuries, the protective benefit is even higher.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages all riders, regardless of age, to take advantage of modern safety equipment, and for parents to ensure their children are wearing helmets while riding bicycles and skateboards. Refer to California Vehicle Code 21212(a) for further detail.

Through grant funding provided by California’s Office of Traffic Safety, the Fillmore Police Department will be offering a Safety Training Course for bicyclists, skateboarders, and pedestrians from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 15th. The event will be near the BMX track at Two Rivers Park and will feature a safety course and free helmets.

Prepared by: Deputy Jamal Labbé (#5173)
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

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)