Santa Paula’s First Volunteer Fire Department

Santa Paula’s first volunteer fire department was invited to participate in Ventura’s Fourth of July Parade in 1913. The entry included Santa Paula’s fire wagon and the department’s motorcycle. The wagon was elegantly decorated with ferns, flowers, and trailing vines. Pulled by a pair of dappled gray horses decorated with ostrich feather bridle plumes, the fire wagon was driven by fireman, Albert Thille. 

Dressed in their summer holiday best are (l to r): Albert Thille, Dudley Davis, Charles King, Alfred Clayton, Evelyn Shipley (standing on step), Chief Frank Shipley, Jim Achilles, P. A. Giacomazzi, Warren King, unidentified, and Sam Primmer. 

Photo ID # 2811, MVC Research Library Collection