From left is Bill Herrera owner of Fillmore's State Farm Ins. office, John Whited, Agency Field Office Representative, Hilary Whitcomb, Public Affairs Representative, Mayor Pro-tem Ken Smedley, Chief Pete Egedi and Deputy Chief Royce Davis Sr. of the C.E.R.T. Program accepting an $8,950 check for the education of the community in cases of disaster.
Council Gets Update On City Goals
Before the regular agenda of the Fillmore City
Council began Marie Wren spoke on the White Ranch
property along Highway 126. Wren feels the area
should be for commercial use and not used to build
apartments.
Wren also requested the council inform the people on
the city’s emergency plans in case of earthquake,
fires, floods or any other type of disaster to
affect the city. Fire Chief Pete Egedi told her the
city has an extensive plan and has just hired
Patrick Maynard as a Disaster Coordinator to work
with various agencies and update all emergency
plans. The plans, in about a 700 page book, are
available for public review now but as the updating
is accomplished the public will be informed.
Police Chief Randy Pentis stated his department is also
prepared and is working closely with the city to be
prepared for any type of emergency situations. Even
though many city officials do not live in Fillmore
there is ample staff which lives within the city
that is capable of providing needed services.
Driver and passenger got back into the car before driving a short distance and parking. The caved in door which was pushed in enough to do major damage to a toy train display inside the museum. The bicycle the driver ran over is shown on the left of the truck.
Witnesses who were visitors from Orange County were on hand at the time of the accident to the Fillmore Railroad Visitor Center building and were able to take pictures of the truck which allegedly ran over a bicycle before plowing into one of the building's door. An unknown woman was thrown from the truck but is shown running back to the vehicle.
He built his son a larger layout board, which was 10 by 10
feet with a crawl hole in the center and he used a 0 gauge
track. A pair of 022 switches, a second line and 622
Switcher was also added to the old steamer and the F3’s. Two
trains could now run at once with one on the siding. Gerry
remarked, “My friends and I would spend most of the summer
vacation running my layout.”
After turning 15 years of age, and his interest turning
to cars and girls, the trains were put away and the big
layout folded down against the wall. A year or two went by
and Gerry decided he needed a welding torch more than a toy
Lionel train, so he sold the it all to a young kid for $100.
Gerry said he heard the train had been set up outside and it
had all ruined. “It was sad, however, Tim Kelly, my life
long friend, had a 1947 Lionel 671 locomotive with six
freight cars Kelly had received around that time. The set
included a Lionel ZW 275 watt transformer, a 164-log loader,
two or three Marx accessories and a pair of 022 switches.
When Tim went into the army he gave the train to Mathews,
and still has the complete set today. The train was
incorporated into the layout at the railroad museum.
“Because I had Tim’s trains, I set out to replace the
toys I had sold to buy the welder. I collected a few, but
for twenty years the trains sat in my attic. I would get
them out and run them for a few days then put them away
without doing anything to them. I have replaced all of the
trains and accessories and a few locomotives are on loan
from members,” Mathews said.
In 1993, Gerry saw a layout in a toy train magazine. He
built the display and after a few modifications the result
was the present layout at the museum.
The train starts at a given point, climbs over itself,
reverses direction, goes around again passing the point of
origin, only going the opposite direction. It crosses over
itself again, reverses again and returns to the starting
point, all without having to throw a switch. The train
actually made four laps to complete the trip.
The damaged layout is L shaped and measures 12 by 8
feet and is designed to easily come apart for storage and
moving. The display was moved in 1999 to the bank building
at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue. After 18
months it went into storage again until the Fillmore Fire
Department moved into their new quarters and the railroad
museum took over the old fire station. The layout was
reassembled and added a five by nine foot freight yard,
capable of operating two trains and all the mechanical,
animated accessories, as well a providing track for guests
to run their trains.
Don Creasy of San Pedro did the mountain/tunnel scenery
and Mathews did the flat land work. Decorating and painting
took a long time and searching for just the right type of
dirt and dry vegetation to make the landscape, trees, and
bushes also took a lot of time.
The project is an ongoing endeavor and would never be
finished because of all the new ideas to incorporate into
the work of art.
Prior to 1960 the Lionel Corporation made all of their
trains in America. The time period of the display is around
the 1950’s; it is not to scale because it is a toy train.
The scenery has included many places, which are or were
at one time, found in and around Fillmore. Some of the
places are the old S&D Dairy, the Limoneira/LaCampana Ranch,
R & R’s Arena, the old Arundel Cabin, Fillmore High School’s
“F” on the mountain, the old Fillmore Depot, the Town
Theatre, the Bardsdale Church, Mathew’s cabin at Piru.
Children and adults could easily see the entire display
from an elevated walkway. As many as 100 people would stop
by each day over the weekends. The damage done to something
which gave so many people true enjoyment is heartbreaking,
Mathews said.
An effort to locate the unknown juvenile suspects who
threw the rocks is still being investigated.
Deputies said it is a felony to throw rocks at moving
vehicle and it is also a felony to use a vehicle to try and
scare or cause intentional harm to someone. Sheriff’s
investigation in the matter is continuing.
An arrest has not yet been made involving the vehicle accident
which occurred on Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, at approximately 4:05
p.m. in the 400 block of Main Street.
The building damaged in the incident used to be the Fillmore
Fire Department but is now leased from the city to house the
Santa Clara Valley Railroad Historical Museum.
A 17 year old male was driving the family truck west bound on
Main when several young males allegedly threw rocks at the
victim’s truck striking the vehicle. The driver then lost
control of the truck and crashed into one of the metal doors
driving it into a large toy train display causing major damage,
according to Fillmore Sheriff’s Deputies.
The exhibit,
owned by long time resident Gerry Mathews, was hit causing it to
fall to the floor and ruining a great portion of the replica of
old Fillmore. Mathews stated the dollar amount is probably
several thousand dollars, however, you can’t really put a dollar
value on something which has taken years of work and the work
was still continuing today. One of the building’s three doors
also had major damage and may have to be totally replaced.
The history of Mathew’s trains and display started when
he received his first train in about 1945, during WWII. Unsure
of where his father got the train, Mathews is sure it was a
pre-war Marx 027. Toys, of any kind, were hard to get at that
time because of the war effort.
“I have a picture of my dad, sister and I playing with
the train. It consisted of a locomotive and four passenger cars
on an oval track. Judging from the background in the photo, it
was Christmas at my Grandfather’s house in Los Angeles. I know
it was my train because I recall playing with the train in my
bedroom until the transformer burned out. I know it was before
1948,” Gerry said.
“About 1951 I was able to get a used pre-war Lionel 027
locomotive and four freight cars. My dad built a plywood board
which folded up against the garage wall when I was not playing
with the layout. Dad had me do all the track and wiring work. I
learned from experience. I decorated the display with home made
signs and Log Cabin syrup cans. I used toy cars on chalked roads
and an old live steam engine for a factory,” Gerry continued.
Mathew’s said his dad saw he was still interested in
trains so he found a used Lionel Santa Fe F3 AA with some
freight cars.
Railroad Museum's Toy Train Display Badly Damaged By Teen Driver
To all hikers:
For a fun day of hiking, contact the Senior Center (524-4533) and get your reservation for a visit to Sycamore Canyon in Pt. Mugu State Park on Monday, March 22. Sarah Hansen is the organizer for the weekly Nature Walk and this one will have Sue Hopkins is the guide. The group will car pool from the Senior Center at 7:30 a.m. You should bring your own water and a snack for the day.
To “road watchers:”
I hope the new Mountain View railroad crossing is as nice as we envision. Let’s all ask City Hall to put A Street on the list for next year. Not only the railroad crossing, but the whole street is barely passable. And we can hope for better sidewalks along there too.
To snow people:
This year should have given all of you a great chance to go play in the snow with Boy Scout Winter Camp and the church camps for youth. Aren’t we luck to live so close to snow and the beach too?
To cloud watchers:
Did any of you see the wonderful clouds Wednesday---we had bright blue sky over Ventura with a few big, puffy cumulus clouds and as you looked to the right it became layers of light grey, then dark grey and then almost black over San Cayetano---all were beautiful and an interesting combination. Always remember to “look up” if you enjoy weather.
Like to eat out?
The Senior Center now has a salad bar on both Tuesday and Thursday with the daily nutrition lunch and St. Frances Church has breakfast every morning---hey, we may never cook again!
This And That
3-8-10
This And That
To everyone “counting their pennies” this month:
Try to avoid flu and colds because Nyquil will cost you $178 for a gallon.
Bottled Lipton tea is $9.50 a gallon. (No wonder I set out a gallon jug of water and make my own.) Yes, the ink for your printer is over $5200 a gallon. Thank goodness we buy it by the teaspoon full. And we thought gasoline was expensive! (This info provided by a friend, Big John.)
To all florists:
The mustard is so lush and pretty this year I am considering cutting some for a bouquet for the table—the bloom is gorgeous this week.
To volunteers:
Many of the volunteers in Fillmore have “run across” Bill Bartels during their jobs in the past 15 years. We all hate to see him retire but also know when it is time to move on, each of us should do that. I am not sure retiring is “moving on” but that seems to work for Bill. Maybe we can get him interested in a volunteer job in his spare time!
Want to know what is happening in Fillmore?
With spring almost here, every organization in town will be having something special and every family will have multi birthdays, graduations, and celebrate Mothers Day and Fathers Day—so gear up and get ready. The Rail Fest will provide extra entertainment on March 27th and 28th with all the interesting things about trains and the local Artist Guild showing their work at the Rail Museum. Our annual Flower Show will be April 10th and 11th at the Senior Center. Then April 17th will showcase all of the local non-profits and what they do at the old Sespe School. Admission will be only $1 with items for sale and games for the kids. I hope all of you will support these community events while getting into your family things. Oh my, isn’t it awful to live in such a dull place? (Tongue in cheek of course.)
To sports fans:
Yes, the Olympics are over, but wasn’t it fun to be a part of it from our lounge chairs. What a grand final but a hard fought hockey game put Canada in charge of that one! Well, I hope to get to see the next games in 2014. Now, maybe I can get some work done.
3-1-10
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship went to Jackie Reynoso for $6,000 and Daniel Klittich for $6,000.
CSU Northridge Scholarship for $1,500 each student went to: Evelyn Villalvazo, Luz Figueroa, and Angelica Amezcua.
Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarships:
Vocational Career & Technical Education – Rosalia Martinez, $2,000.
Jean Weber Memorial Scholarship – Luz Figueroa, $750.
Saticoy Lemon Association Employee Scholarship – Luz Figueroa, $750.
William A. Fairburn, Jr. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial Scholarships went to: Daniel Gradias for $1,700; Daniel Klittich for $1,700; Kristen Klittich for $1,700; and Robyn Torres for $1,700.
Milton McKevett Teague Scholarship went to: Daniel Klittich for $2,250.
Stanley E. Cohen Memorial Education Fund Scholarship went to: Margarita Licon for $900.
The James C. Basile Scholarship for $20,000 each student went to: Jacqueline Magana and Steven Uribe.
Iris and Roger Wilkins Scholarship went to: Jocelyn Piche for $2,700.
Orfalea Nursing and Health Field Scholarship went to: Jamie Taylor for $2,500.
Gold Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was awarded to: Danielle Rojo, $500.
Ventura County Star Scholarship/Athlete Awards went to: Nadine Orozco and Andrew Gerardy.
Buddy Burgett Memorial Scholarship went to Nadina Orozco for $500.
Cal Grant A & B Winners: There were four CSU for $2,520 per year; four UC $6,140 per year; and Private donation at $9.708 per year. Approximately 24 recipients for a total of $589,440.
Cal Grant’s B Average for $1,550 per year for approximately 24 recipients is $148,800.
Friends of Piru School Scholarship was Luiselias Garcia for $250.
National Mentor Program: Mario Rodriquez $5.000.
Ronald McDonald HACER Scholarship: Angelica Amezcua, $2,000.
Roasanna Porras Memoral Scholarship: Nadine Orozco $600.
Northland College Lake Superior Academic Excellence Scholarship for four years: Nadine Orozco, $40,380.
Northland College Diversity Scholarship for four years Nadine Orozco, $6,000.
Presenter Katrina Tafoya for Tony Tafoya Scholarships went to: Breanna McClain $500
and Gilberto Camarena for $500.
Presenter Patty Torres for Pacific Oaks Federal Credit Union went to: Daniel Klittich
$1,000 and Danielle Rojo for $1,000.
Presenter Roz Mitzenmacher for the Hinckley-Artist Barn Scholarship went to:
Shihori Nakayama.
Art Awards: Meghan Eucce, Daniel Gonzalez, Shihori Nakayama, Luis Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez and Erika Ramirez.
Presenter Jose Luis Lomeli for Ron Balden Scholarships were: Maria Candelario, $2,500; Nadina Orozco, $2,500; Andrew Gerardy, $2.500; and Andres Becerra, $2,500.
Presenter Joe Torres for NECHA Scholarships all in the amounts of $400 were: Norma Lopez, Evelyn Villalvazo, Luz Figueroa, Kavy Trujillo, Nadine Orozco, Juliana Cruz and Angelica Amezcua.
Presenter Mario De La Piedra for the Fillmore Sunrisers Rotary Scholarships all in the amount of $500 were: Kavy Trujillo, Daniel Gradia, Jackie Reynoso, Karen Louth, Kristen Klittich, Robyn Torres, Maria Candelario, Daniel Klittich, Margarita Licon.
Presenter Virinia De La Piedra for Jeremiah Allen’s Dream Scholarship was Daniel Gradias for $500.
Presenter Mario and Rosaria Contini Scholarship to: Angelica Amezcua for $500.
Presenter Harrold Burns for the Fillmore Unified Teachers’ Association Scholarships all in the amount of $300 to: Robyn Torres, Robert Martinez and Luz Figueroa.
Presenters Sheriff’s Deputies Brian Hackworth and Steven Holzberger for the Fillmore Citizens Patrol Scholarship all in the amount of $500 to: Lidia Arredondo, Margarita Licon, Gregory Palmer, and Danielle Rojo.
Gladys Choate for the JDC Family Foundation Scholarship to Jackie Reynoso for $2,500 and Luiselias Garcia for $2.500.
Presenter Fay Swanson for the Fillmore Women’s Service Club Scholarships were: Daniel Klittich, $2,000; Danielle Rojo, $2,000; Kristen Klittich, $1,500; Robert Martinez, $1,500; Luz Figueroa, $1,000; Luiselias Garcia, $1,000; Andrew Gerardy, $1,000; Danielle Johnson, $1,000; Norma Lopez, $1,000; Karen Louth, $1,000; Jennifer Mendez, $1,000; Breanna McLain; Jackie Reynoso, $1,000.
Presenter Donna Volker for the Christine Warring Scholarships was: Angelica Amezcua, $500; Diana Rocha, $500.
Presenter Lynda Edmonds for the Piru Petroleum Club Scholarships all in the amount of $250 was: Samantha Day, Jocelyn Piche, Monserrat Ayala, and Nadine Orozco.
Presenter Bill Edmonds for the Fillmore Lions Club Scholarships, all in the amount of $1,000 each was: Norma Lopez, Monserrat Ayala, and Breanna McLain.
Presenter Don Downey for the Fillmore Noon Rotary Scholarships, all in the amount of $,1000 each was: Jackie Reynoso, Daniel Klittich, Danielle Rojo, Kristen Klittich, Robyn Torres, and Karen Louth.
Presenter Kathy Marsden for the Imogene Vest Memorial Scholarships was: Kristen Klittich, $1,000 and Karen Louth, $1.000.
Presenter Christine Johnston for the Violet Richardson Award was: Cassandra Cone.
Presenter Bobby McLain for the Fillmore Girls Softball Scholarship was: Brittany Gonzalez, $500, and Oralia Castro, $500.
Sgt. Manuel Rivera for the U.S. Army Scholarship/Athlete Awards was: Nadine Orozco and Andres Becerra.
Sgt. Marvin Ruano for the U.S. Marine Distinguished Athlete Awards was: Andrew Gerardy, and Nadine Orozco. Marine Scholastic Excellence Award was Jackie Reynoso. Semper Fidel’s Music Award was Robert Martinez.
Presenter John Wilber for John and Peg Wilber Memorial Scholarship was Monserrat Ayala for $200.
FHS Principal Rebecca Larkin present the following students with the gold bands for the California Scholastic Federation Life Members: Angelica Amezcua, Gilberto Camarena, Juliana Cruz, Luz Figueroa, Lindsay Garcia, Daniel Gradias, Tanya Klein, Daniel Klittich, Kristen Klittich, Jan Lohachitranond, Norma Lopez, Karen Louth, Chris Lomeli, Crystal Murrillo, Shihori Nakayama, Nadine Orozco, Christine Phillips, Jackie Reynoso, Jennifer Robledo, Danielle Rojo, Alma Romero, Alicia Samano, Jessica Sanchez, Robyn Torres, Kavy Trujillo, Evelyn Villalvazo, and Eva Zavala.
Students who are possible California Scholastic Federation Life Members are: Andres Becerra, Maria Candelario, Melissa Cardenas, Jasmine Hernandez, Martha Izarraras, Bianca Magana, Jacqueline Magana, Robert Martinez, Breanna McLain, Stephen Micarelli, Martha Munoz, Erika Renteria, Oscar Sanchez, Bukhbaatar Tsogtgerel, and Steven Uribe.
The one Salutatorian and a possible 10 Valedictorians will be announced at the graduation ceremonies.
The grand total of scholarship money presented totaled $989,920.
Don Downey presented scholarships on behalf of the Fillmore Noon Rotary Club. Each student received a $1,000 each. Those picture, not necessarily in order are: Jackie Reynoso, Daniel Klittich, Danielle Rojo, Kristen Klittich, Robyn Tores and Karen Louth.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship went to Jackie Reynoso for $6,000 and Daniel Klittich for $6,000.
CSU Northridge Scholarship for $1,500 each student went to: Evelyn Villalvazo, Luz Figueroa, and Angelica Amezcua.
Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarships:
Vocational Career & Technical Education – Rosalia Martinez, $2,000.
Jean Weber Memorial Scholarship – Luz Figueroa, $750.
Saticoy Lemon Association Employee Scholarship – Luz Figueroa, $750.
William A. Fairburn, Jr. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial Scholarships went to: Daniel Gradias for $1,700; Daniel Klittich for $1,700; Kristen Klittich for $1,700; and Robyn Torres for $1,700.
Milton McKevett Teague Scholarship went to: Daniel Klittich for $2,250.
Stanley E. Cohen Memorial Education Fund Scholarship went to: Margarita Licon for $900.
The James C. Basile Scholarship for $20,000 each student went to: Jacqueline Magana and Steven Uribe.
Iris and Roger Wilkins Scholarship went to: Jocelyn Piche for $2,700.
Orfalea Nursing and Health Field Scholarship went to: Jamie Taylor for $2,500.
Gold Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was awarded to: Danielle Rojo, $500.
Ventura County Star Scholarship/Athlete Awards went to: Nadine Orozco and Andrew Gerardy.
Buddy Burgett Memorial Scholarship went to Nadina Orozco for $500.
Cal Grant A & B Winners: There were four CSU for $2,520 per year; four UC $6,140 per year; and Private donation at $9.708 per year. Approximately 24 recipients for a total of $589,440.
Cal Grant’s B Average for $1,550 per year for approximately 24 recipients is $148,800.
Friends of Piru School Scholarship was Luiselias Garcia for $250.
National Mentor Program: Mario Rodriquez $5.000.
Ronald McDonald HACER Scholarship: Angelica Amezcua, $2,000.
Roasanna Porras Memoral Scholarship: Nadine Orozco $600.
Northland College Lake Superior Academic Excellence Scholarship for four years: Nadine Orozco, $40,380.
Northland College Diversity Scholarship for four years Nadine Orozco, $6,000.
Presenter Katrina Tafoya for Tony Tafoya Scholarships went to: Breanna McClain $500
and Gilberto Camarena for $500.
Presenter Patty Torres for Pacific Oaks Federal Credit Union went to: Daniel Klittich
$1,000 and Danielle Rojo for $1,000.
Presenter Roz Mitzenmacher for the Hinckley-Artist Barn Scholarship went to:
Shihori Nakayama.
Art Awards: Meghan Eucce, Daniel Gonzalez, Shihori Nakayama, Luis Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez and Erika Ramirez.
Presenter Jose Luis Lomeli for Ron Balden Scholarships were: Maria Candelario, $2,500; Nadina Orozco, $2,500; Andrew Gerardy, $2.500; and Andres Becerra, $2,500.
Presenter Joe Torres for NECHA Scholarships all in the amounts of $400 were: Norma Lopez, Evelyn Villalvazo, Luz Figueroa, Kavy Trujillo, Nadine Orozco, Juliana Cruz and Angelica Amezcua.
Presenter Mario De La Piedra for the Fillmore Sunrisers Rotary Scholarships all in the amount of $500 were: Kavy Trujillo, Daniel Gradia, Jackie Reynoso, Karen Louth, Kristen Klittich, Robyn Torres, Maria Candelario, Daniel Klittich, Margarita Licon.
Presenter Virinia De La Piedra for Jeremiah Allen’s Dream Scholarship was Daniel Gradias for $500.
Presenter Mario and Rosaria Contini Scholarship to: Angelica Amezcua for $500.
Presenter Harrold Burns for the Fillmore Unified Teachers’ Association Scholarships all in the amount of $300 to: Robyn Torres, Robert Martinez and Luz Figueroa.
Presenters Sheriff’s Deputies Brian Hackworth and Steven Holzberger for the Fillmore Citizens Patrol Scholarship all in the amount of $500 to: Lidia Arredondo, Margarita Licon, Gregory Palmer, and Danielle Rojo.
Gladys Choate for the JDC Family Foundation Scholarship to Jackie Reynoso for $2,500 and Luiselias Garcia for $2.500.
Presenter Fay Swanson for the Fillmore Women’s Service Club Scholarships were: Daniel Klittich, $2,000; Danielle Rojo, $2,000; Kristen Klittich, $1,500; Robert Martinez, $1,500; Luz Figueroa, $1,000; Luiselias Garcia, $1,000; Andrew Gerardy, $1,000; Danielle Johnson, $1,000; Norma Lopez, $1,000; Karen Louth, $1,000; Jennifer Mendez, $1,000; Breanna McLain; Jackie Reynoso, $1,000.
Presenter Donna Volker for the Christine Warring Scholarships was: Angelica Amezcua, $500; Diana Rocha, $500.
Presenter Lynda Edmonds for the Piru Petroleum Club Scholarships all in the amount of $250 was: Samantha Day, Jocelyn Piche, Monserrat Ayala, and Nadine Orozco.
Presenter Bill Edmonds for the Fillmore Lions Club Scholarships, all in the amount of $1,000 each was: Norma Lopez, Monserrat Ayala, and Breanna McLain.
Presenter Don Downey for the Fillmore Noon Rotary Scholarships, all in the amount of $,1000 each was: Jackie Reynoso, Daniel Klittich, Danielle Rojo, Kristen Klittich, Robyn Torres, and Karen Louth.
Presenter Kathy Marsden for the Imogene Vest Memorial Scholarships was: Kristen Klittich, $1,000 and Karen Louth, $1.000.
Presenter Christine Johnston for the Violet Richardson Award was: Cassandra Cone.
Presenter Bobby McLain for the Fillmore Girls Softball Scholarship was: Brittany Gonzalez, $500, and Oralia Castro, $500.
Sgt. Manuel Rivera for the U.S. Army Scholarship/Athlete Awards was: Nadine Orozco and Andres Becerra.
Sgt. Marvin Ruano for the U.S. Marine Distinguished Athlete Awards was: Andrew Gerardy, and Nadine Orozco. Marine Scholastic Excellence Award was Jackie Reynoso. Semper Fidel’s Music Award was Robert Martinez.
Presenter John Wilber for John and Peg Wilber Memorial Scholarship was Monserrat Ayala for $200.
FHS Principal Rebecca Larkin present the following students with the gold bands for the California Scholastic Federation Life Members: Angelica Amezcua, Gilberto Camarena, Juliana Cruz, Luz Figueroa, Lindsay Garcia, Daniel Gradias, Tanya Klein, Daniel Klittich, Kristen Klittich, Jan Lohachitranond, Norma Lopez, Karen Louth, Chris Lomeli, Crystal Murrillo, Shihori Nakayama, Nadine Orozco, Christine Phillips, Jackie Reynoso, Jennifer Robledo, Danielle Rojo, Alma Romero, Alicia Samano, Jessica Sanchez, Robyn Torres, Kavy Trujillo, Evelyn Villalvazo, and Eva Zavala.
Students who are possible California Scholastic Federation Life Members are: Andres Becerra, Maria Candelario, Melissa Cardenas, Jasmine Hernandez, Martha Izarraras, Bianca Magana, Jacqueline Magana, Robert Martinez, Breanna McLain, Stephen Micarelli, Martha Munoz, Erika Renteria, Oscar Sanchez, Bukhbaatar Tsogtgerel, and Steven Uribe.
The one Salutatorian and a possible 10 Valedictorians will be announced at the graduation ceremonies.
The grand total of scholarship money presented totaled $989,920.
Don Downey presented scholarships on behalf of the Fillmore Noon Rotary Club. Each student received a $1,000 each. Those picture, not necessarily in order are: Jackie Reynoso, Daniel Klittich, Danielle Rojo, Kristen Klittich, Robyn Tores and Karen Louth.
Rancho Sespe was a Mexican land grant to Carlos Carrillo in 1833. Land grants required the new owners to do several things, very similar to later homesteads in the United States. The owner was suppose to build a house, put at least 500 head of cattle on it and take care of things. The original Rancho Sespe ranch house was located between the old Sycamore tree and the river and used when they had their annual rodeo to slaughter cattle for their hides and tallow. It was never a big hacienda for the family, who lived in Santa Barbara almost 50 miles away. Later pioneers living in the area after California became a state often located remains of the old adobe house.
Eventually Tom More bought Rancho Sespe and that is long story since he thought he had purchased a lot more land than the courts awarded him and he always felt cheated over that deal.
As American homesteaders flooded into the valley, they settled anywhere they saw water and good land and no one was living there. This caused major problems for the landowners and Tom More did not escape the same fate. He wanted the settlers to move off of his land, they wanted to stay, water from the creek was involved and Tom was gunned down after they set fire to his barn and he ran out to rescue his horses.
Later the land became the property of Mr. McNab who was eager to develop it. He laid out a town on the east side of Sespe Creek but it was all on paper. Well, lots of ideas start that way.
Pole Creek cut through the middle of his new town so he just relocated that creek. It flowed from Pole Canyon, where the Arundells lived, and came down the end of 4th Street past the big old two-story house built by the Fairbanks family. The creek went southwest toward First Street with two big sycamores in the yard of the big home on the corner of First and Saratoga. (These were cut down 10 years ago.) Those shade trees had lots of apricots pitted under them later. The creek went on toward Kensington Street and a big sycamore there sheltered sheep in a pen in the early days near a small house. From there it flowed into the Sespe Creek near the railroad bridge. As you can see, that sure cut through the middle of town for Mr. McNab so he just rerouted the whole creek. Before it got to the end of 4th Street, he put it into a new ditch with a 90-degree turn and headed it straight south to the Santa Clara River. And it still flows that way. (I am still seeking a map showing this original creek; so if anyone knows where one is located, please give me a call. 524-4044.)
Once Mr. McNab got the creek out of his way, he was ready to plat his new town and look for people who wanted to live here. The Southern Pacific was starting the railroad down the valley and buying right-of-way for the tracks. When they talked to Mr. Ealy, about 2 miles east of here, he told the railroad people, in no uncertain terms, that he was not selling. He had the stage stop on the top of that little hill and a good spring of water and he was not interested in moving away from the Cienega.
So the railroad men kept going toward the west. They passed the Cienega with rising water and occasionally a sort of artesian water shooting out of the ground in a wet year. The local school was located near there almost where the railroad tracks now are laid. By the time the railroad men found Mr. McNab, they also found their depot site. McNab was eager to sell and get his town started and on the map. And he did!
Once McNab knew the Southern Pacific was bringing the track down the valley, and they would have a depot, he was ready to develop the town all the way. He got Mulholland to lay out open channels and water lines and design the first system for water from Sespe Creek to town so every home and business could have running water. (This was the same Mulholand who was involved in the St. Frances Dam tragedy.)
The depot was designed and built by Harry Peyton and that family still has descendents here. Southern Pacific named the depot FILLMORE in honor of their superintendent. The MAIN STREET ran parallel to the tracks like most towns in that day. The main cross street was CENTRAL AVE. The first businesses were along Main Street and the corner of Central Ave. Pepper trees were planted along both of these modern streets so horses and wagons and buggies had shade in the summer time. The Fillmore Historical Museum has a copy of the old plat map showing who bought the lots in the early days.
For awhile, mail came from the Bardsdale Post Office that opened in 1887, but the government soon moved the post office to Fillmore where the town was flourishing and Bardsdale was at a standstill on population. (The Bardsdale story will be in another chapter.) When the Santa Clara River had lots of water, it made crossing difficult to get mail, the railroad was on the north side of the river, so Fillmore got the post office.
Chinese laborers laid the rails. They had a camp for these men along the line and moved it as the rails were extended. There had been a camp near Rancho Camulos and then it was moved to Fillmore. A few of these men stayed in Piru and Fillmore and lived here for many years. When the rails were finished to Ventura, the trains took over and started down the Santa Clara Valley in 1887—this soon signaled the end of stagecoach travel. Stops at San Martine Grande Canyon, Camulos and Ealy’s near the Cienega were not needed. All had been stage stops sometime during the past 75 years.
Times were changing.
Part 3 next week
MARIE’S FLY BY
by Marie Wren
3-8-10
MARIE’S FLY BY
by Marie Wren
Story of Fillmore
Part 1
Occasionally adults wonder about the history of Fillmore. Once in awhile, kids in school will get an assignment to learn about the place where we are living. Often I get into the mood to find out more about “our town”—Fillmore, Piru, Bardsdale, Grand Avenue, Sespe and all the space in between.
In 1732, Cabrillo sailed along our coast and claimed all of this area for Spain. It is my understanding that the men went on land and did a rather formal proclamation declaring that Spain took ownership of the land and then went back to their ship and continued on their journey. Cabrillo’s life was interesting and someday perhaps I will do more research about this part of our history.
Although Spain “claimed” this part of our nation, there were no Spanish settlers so it was actually just vacant land with the native population of Chumash in the Ventura section and Tatavian east of Piru Creek.
By 1769, with England and Russia starting to explore these “new lands,” Spain decided they needed to actually take possession of it. Spanish explorer Portola started from the San Diego area with 27 soldiers, six volunteers, two priest,(Crespi and Gomez) 7 muleteers, 15 Christian Indians and 2 servants. Their job was to look at this new land and get ready to start colonies to hold it against other countries who might make a claim.
These 64 men had quiet a journey ahead of them starting from Mexico City to San Francisco. As with most exploring parties, scouts were sent out each day to find the route and camping place for the following day. Sergeant Ortega and 6 or 8 men were in this advance group to find good camping places with water and be sure any hostile Indians were cleared out. The Indians in Ventura County were rather placid and did not threaten these strange new men marching through their land.
If all went well, the group made about 18 miles a day and rested every four days so both men and animals could recoup. Their route from Mexico City was later called the CAMINO REAL—the King’s Highway as missions were soon established along this road. (The Spanish had already made a Camino Real from Mexico City into the New Mexico and Arizona section from earlier explorations and missions.) All roads leading from Mexico City to a mission were called “Camino Real.”
Father Crespi kept a diary of their journey and listed what they saw, the Indians they encounter and the general “lay of the land.” From his description, the group may have crossed from San Fernando Valley through Tapo Canyon and the Santa Susana mountains to the Santa Clara River near Castaic/Camulos along Sepulveda Pass.
The diary for Saturday, August 12, 1769 states, “We started at three in the afternoon on this day of Santa Clara from her place, and following the same valley in the direction of west-southwest, over a road broken by arroyos and gullies formed by the floods from the mountain ridges which empty through them in the rainy season, we stopped on the bank of one of them which carried plenty of water. (Probably Piru Creek) After traveling about three leagues, near the camping place we came to a village of heathen, as friendly as the preceding, and as soon as we arrived they came with their baskets of pinole and pine-nuts. Beads were given them in return. We called this village San Pedro Amoliano, hoping that this saint may be patrol of these people and bring them to baptism. “ (Near Fillmore)
Later Fray Junipero Serra established a string of missions along the route taken by Portola. The land from the coast to about Santa Paula became controlled by the Mission San Buenaventura established in 1782. From Piru Creek to “way over yonder” east, the land belonged to the San Fernando Mission and was later called San Francisco land grant that became Rancho Camulos.
The missions forced the Indians to come to work for them and become Christians. This split up families and generally changed the way of life enjoyed by the Chumash and Tatavians until then.
As missions were established, the Spanish government usually left a small group of soldiers to guard them and that became the presidio. As families of the soldiers needed housing and supplies, a pueblo grew up too. Spain was encouraging settlers to live in their new land and hold it against any intruders.
The missions were sort of supported by the King of Spain, but he also expected them to have hides and tallow from their cattle industry to return as payment. Mission fields and gardens supplied most of the food and wine for everyone.
The King often could not, or did not, pay the soldiers and others in the government. It became common occurrence for those debts to be paid off with huge land grants. About the time Spain got the system working good, Mexico decided they would become an independent nation and did in 1821!
Sespe o San Cayetano was granted to Carolos Carrillo in 1833 from the San Buenaventura Mission lands. His land was mostly on both sides of the Santa Clara River between Santa Paula Creek to Piru Creek. This became Rancho Sespe as we know it. In 1839, Lieutenant Antonio del Valle received the allowable 11 leagues of land from the holdings of the San Fernando Mission where the del Valle land started. Natural barriers were often used for boundary lines. Those two Mexican land grants covered “our part of the valley.”
The new country of Mexico soon decided to secularize the missions and in 1834 the government no longer wanted to support them in any way.. In 1839, Lieutenant Antonio del Valle asked for a land grant and received the allowable 11 leagues of land (48,000 acres) from the holdings of the San Fernando Mission. In a few years it was known as Rancho Camulos.
Part 2 next week.
3-1-10
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