State Fish Hatchery in Fillmore

The California Department of Fish and Game maintains a Fish Hatchery in Fillmore, off Highway 126, just east of downtown Fillmore. Watch for the sign - you make a quick right on Fish Hatchery Road, not more than a mile or so from downtown Fillmore. (The given address is 612 E. Telegraph Road, but Fish Hatchery Road is just east of there.)

Fish species raised at the Fillmore Hatchery include rainbow trout and brown trout. The hatchery is located in a former citrus grove bordering the Santa Clara River. It was originally constructed in 1942 with 30 earthen ponds that were supplied by spring and well water. Major renovations were made in 1968 and 1972 that included the construction of 40 concrete ponds, with water temperatures averaging 60 degrees. Fish are raised for one year before release for recreational angling. An average of 700,000 trout are released annually into lakes and streams primarily in Southern California.

The hatchery is open 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring dimes to purchase fish food and learn about fish and their role in California. This is a self-guided tour. More information at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/Fillmore.

Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society's Railroad Visitor Center in Fillmore

The Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society was established in 1993 to help preserve and restore the railroad corridor between Montalvo and Saugus. This corridor, known as the Southern Pacific Santa Paula Branch, is a unique and historical local community asset.

Stop by the Railroad Visitor Center, located at 455 Main Street, Fillmore, on Sundays between noon and 3 p.m. (or by appointment) and check out historical artifacts, information and photographs, a large model train setup, gift shop, theater and more.

More information at www.scrvrhs.com or call 805.524.2254.

We stopped by the Sespe Creek Car Show at Fillmore & Western yesterday (4th of July) and while we were there walked into the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society Railroad Visitor Center at 455 Main Street, Fillmore. We've been in here several times before with the model trains all running and the kids sit there mesmerized by them.

Fillmore Town Theatre

The Fillmore Town Theatre at 338 Central Avenue is a 333 seat theatre owned by Mudturtle Theatrical, a nonprofit formed in 2021. The theatre is available for shows and kids programs. Learn about upcoming events at mudturtletheatrical.org.

Rancho Camulos Museum in Fillmore

Rancho Camulos is a National Historic Landmark situated within an 1,800 acre working ranch, a great example of a Spanish-Mexican rancho in its original rural environment.  Rancho Camulos is noted for its literary significance as the setting for Helen Hunt Jackson's novel, Ramona.

Tours detail the lives of the native Tataviam Indians, the del Valle family that established Rancho Camulos in 1853, and the Rubel family, current owners, who purchased the ranch in 1924.  Visitors can see the main adobe, cocina, winery, chapel, schoolhouse and beautiful gardens featuring over 50 varieties of roses and the magnificent black walnut tree, covering 1/2 acre. 

Additional features of the museum are a fish pond (built by the Rubel children as a school project in the 1930s), "Ramona's bedroom" popularized through thousands of postcards and the fountain built in 1853.  Learn about the Ramona connection and view the silent movie Ramona starring Mary Pickford, filmed at Rancho Camulos in 1910.

Tours on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.  Suggested donation currently $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.  School tours available.  The venue is also available for weddings and events.

Rancho Camulos is located at 5164 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore, 2 miles east of Piru on Hwy. 126.  Visit www.ranchocamulos.org or call 805.521.1501 for more information.

Senior Adult Centers Throughout Ventura County

Check THIS LIST of links to senior centers and recreation programs around Ventura County.

Fillmore Historical Museum

The Fillmore Historical Museum is located at 340 Main Street. Stroll through the Craftsman-style Hinckley home built in 1905 and filled with antique furniture, kitchen items, pump organ and Dr. Hinckley's dental office. Allow time to tour the 1919 Sespe Bunkhouse, a building full of Fillmore history and originally used as a dormitory by farm workers.

Other history on display includes orange and lemon industry history dating back to 1900, military, police and fire department memorabilia, Native American artifacts, Fillmore insectary, antique clothing and toys and more.

The Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, a functioning depot from 1887 to 1970 is also located on site, located adjacent to the Hinckley house. This Depot was designated Ventura County Historical Landmark #48, designated in May 1979. When the Southern Pacific Railroad finished its line between Ventura and Los Angeles in 1887, Fillmore, named after Southern Pacific's West Coast superintendent, Jerome A. Fillmore, was established at the only train stop in the Santa Clara Valley. The town of Fillmore was subsequently founded in 1888 and incorporated on July 10, 1914.

An original Barksdale post office from the late 1800s is also on the site.

As of May 2013, the Museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 3pm. Donation is Family $10, Adults $4, Students $2 and Children under 5 years, free. Call 805.524.0948 to confirm hours. Visit www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org to learn more.