YESTERDAY’S “JUNK” - There are many resident of Vacaville who can reminisce back to the days when their possessions included a pot-bellied stove, a washboard, coffee grinder and a myriad collection of items which had served them well, but as newer innovations made an appearance, those old pieces of “junk” ended up at the city dumps.
Today, Vacaville is well on its way to gaining a museum, where historical artifacts will be placed on display. Without question the museum can be filled with items of local interest which have been handed down from generation to generation. But, on the other hand, it is unfortunate that the museum proposal was not realized here a long time ago.
Although the original idea of a town to be named Vacaville dates back to August, 1850, the past history of the local area has not been dramatic in the sense that battles were won and lost here; that events of staggering proportions had been a part of the local scene. In the past 130 years Vacaville and the surrounding areas have “just rolled along.”
History tells us about the thousands of Indians at one time residing here, and artifacts found throughout the years during excavations for basements, sewer lines, etc. pinpoint spots where these Indians had gathered in great numbers. It is interesting to note that many of these artifacts were discovered in excavations along Main and East Main Streets, as well as in several rural areas.
The largest collection of these artifacts were the property of Main Street candy store owner Walter H. Edwards, who had thousands of mortars, arrowheads, tomahawks, pestles, etc. on display in his candy store. Following his death, this prized collection disappeared, but it is hoped with Vacaville now about to receive a museum this valued array will again find its way back to Vacaville.
There were and are many items in our local past which could be valued assets to a museum, but because of their cumbersome size are not adapted for indoor display.
Back in 1915, Vacaville had its first mechanized piece of firefighting equipment, an American-LaFrance, which became the pride and joy of the small volunteer local fire department. Although antiquated by today’s standards, this lone piece of equipment bore the burden of controlling many local fires. It served the community until 1928, when it was sold to the City of Lakeport, at a ridiculously low price, at that time fitting the category of a “piece of junk.” It was replaced by a Seagrave, which continues to be a part of the local fire department’s present inventory.
Prior to purchasing the first fire engine, hose carts were used to transport the hose. These carts consisted of two large iron wheels, connected by a long shaft on which the hose was rolled. The carts made their way to local fires at times by manpower and on other occasions by the friendly gesture of a local rancher who chanced to be downtown and offered the use of his team of horses. These hose carts, rare antiques, found their way into the iron scrap heaps and were cup apart, the metal being used for other purposes.
Arthur Dietz, a retired electrician, and a fanatic at collecting antiques, has contributed items to Sutter’s Fort museum and to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. He spent many years collecting an assortment of hot irons, some used here, and others used in various parts of the world. He later sold the collection to the City of Vacaville.
Every family of our yesteryear era, had at least one catalogue from either Montgomery Ward or Sears Roebuck. When these catalogues were replaced by later editions, the older ones found a prominent place in the many outhouses in the area. Today, these old catalogues are prized items. Some editions have been reprinted and are available for sale. It is interesting to note that the movie industry maintains a complete library of these catalogues, using them as guides.
The many items, or pieces of equipment used in Vacaville’s flourishing fruit industry going back before the turn of the century, have almost completely disappeared. One would ask: “Where have these items all disappeared to?”
There were the specially built fruit wagons, the orchard cultivating equipment, and a box maker’s stripper and crate form, and the pear box press used to help seal tight the filled boxes of pears.
Some of this equipment can be seen at the Pena Adobe, and there still remains other valued pieces on ranches in the area, being cared for like a pampered child, perhaps awaiting the day when a protective area can be maintained and the articles place on display.
What about the hundreds of old automobiles? The Model T Ford, Chevy, Maxwell, Durant, Studebaker, Nash, Moon, Willys, Auburn, Stutz, LaSalle, Hupmobile, Kaiser, Edsel, and a list which could number more than 100 different makes. Thanks, to the late Bill Harrah, the world’s largest, collection of these cars of our past are on display at his museum near Reno.
Museums can be interesting; they can also be “stuffy” and of little interest. A successful museum must be cared for because no one wants to rummage through a building filled with dust-covered mementos.
I have said many times before that the potential of the Pena Adobe has not been pursued with vigor. Most travelers stopping there have negative comments. Let’s hope when the new museum is a reality here, there is the personnel provided to make it an asset to the community.
Link: http://articles.solanohistory.net/7079/ | Solano History Database Record
Printed From: http://articles.solanohistory.net/7079/ | http://www.solanohistory.org/record/7079
Vacaville Heritage Council