One small town, Countless big decisions
150 years of progress, grit and shared
Diverse
By chance, I had the honor of accepting a proclamation recognizing the 150th anniversary of Winters’ first municipal election during the city council meeting on Tuesday, May 20.
In the weeks leading up to that moment, I found myself deep in the archives — reading old editions of the Winters Advocate and the Winters Express, uncovering long-forgotten civic records and rediscovering the legacy of the town I’ve called home.
As someone who grew up in Winters and returned to witness its evolution, I’m continually reminded that I am still learning about this place. About the people who lived here before me. About the decisions — messy, bold and visionary — that shaped our path. This journey through history has shown me that Winters is more than a charming agricultural town — it’s a celebration of diverse and differing perspectives, each generation offering its voice, values and vision. It’s in these varied expressions that we find opportunities for growth, empathy and connection. These stories, even when they challenge us, help us grow — not just as individuals, but as a town. They remind us to lead with heart, to listen more, and to aim higher in our decisions for the people, by the people.
Winters has always been defined by its strong sense of community. From its
earliest days as a railroad stop surrounded by peach orchards, to its present-day role as a destination town, our resilience and adaptability have carried us through. Through city milestones, civic debates and reinventions, one thing remains clear — our small town has made countless big decisions and continues to evolve because of them.
Whether it’s creating zoning ordinances, founding a fire department or navigating redevelopment plans, progress in Winters has always required recognizing the need for change and having the courage to act. Local leaders and engaged citizens have consistently stepped up — not just to suggest improvements, but to see them through, from idea to execution.
As I pored over the archives, I saw how history circles back. Many of the same themes — land use, energy, community identity — have reoccurred for decades. In 1979, residents were already debating
growth in the Walnut neighborhood. Ironically, that’s where my story in Winters began.
Reading through every front page from 1922 in search of a mention of the Fortnightly Club (which I found in the fall issues), I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the layers of history that lie just beneath the surface of our everyday lives.
As I sifted through the archives, one theme kept surfacing: history tends to spotlight the men—the ones with titles, signatures, and proclamations. But tucked between the headlines and buried in the quieter corners of the record, I found something far more exhilarating: Winters women stepping boldly into roles that history didn’t always make room for. They challenged expectations, stuck their necks out, and got the impossible done.
What may have begun with organizing tea parties and church picnics quickly grew into civic leadership. Over time, women in Winters shaped public dialogue, drove policy, and championed causes that steered the town through moments of growth and transformation. They weren’t just behind the scenes — they were often leading the charge, rewriting the rules as they went.
This final installment of the sesquicentennial series aims to spotlight the people who envisioned this town, honor the women and
men who carried that vision forward, and celebrate the city staff and public safety teams who continue to build on that foundation.
Our police and fire departments — established long before they became formal agencies — hold legacies of service, bravery, and community care. The stories in their records speak to the challenges Winters has faced, and the spirit that carried us through.
And like any town with history, we must also reckon with the harder truths — from exclusionary chapters like the internment of Japanese American families and the hatred and cruelty shown during World War II to moments of division and change. But even in those uncomfortable places, we
vision
find opportunities for accountability and renewal. It’s how a small town continues to grow. We have been brave enough to look back honestly and acknowledge where we got it wrong—and audacious enough to own it, learn from it, and make meaningful changes as we move forward together.
As the 2025 proclamation so beautifully puts it:
“The City Council encourages all residents and visitors to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future full of promise and opportunity.”
Here’s to 150 years of Winters as an incorporated city — and to a future shaped by the many voices, stories and actions of its people.
—Crystal Apilado, Winters Express Editor-in-Chief
Express file photo
Crystal Apilado, Winters Express Editor-in-Chief
Sonora Slater/Winters Express Winters City Council members approved a proclamation honoring the the 150th anniversary of the first municipal election of the city of Winters at the May 20 city council meeting.
By Angela Underwood Winters Express
The Winter’s government has 150 years of tales.
Within three miles, exponential growth in the last century fueled a strong political system. Ever-changing regulations and legislation fueled former and current government officials, including City Manager Jeremy Craig and former Winters mayor and Historical Society board member Woody Fridae, to always stay on top of their game.
Yes, Winters’ history can be found in the book Winters: A Heritage of Horticulture, A Harmony of Purpose by Joann Leach Larkey, but nothing compares to hearing about the firsthand knowledge of city officials who detail the 1897 municipal incorporation.
“Before Winters was Buckeye, which is northeast about 3 miles,” Fridae said. “It didn’t have a clear jurisprudence for ownership.”
Craig said there were estimates that the population in Winters was around 523 in 1880.
“At that time, cities were just beginning the movement to modern form with the addition of services beyond just a town constable and a few clerks,” Craig said, noting the difference 150 years can make. “Today, our team navigates an array of rules and regulations that would have been unthinkable back then, and we serve a population of over 7,600.”
Long before the quaint generational community, Winters was considered a prime plot of land for one railroad developer, Andrew Stevenson.
“He wanted to build the line from Vacaville up to Capay Valley,” Fridae said.
“We were known for having some of the best peaches and apricots in the world, and they were ready a couple of weeks before everybody else, but if that product couldn’t get to market, it just died on the vine.”
Enter Theodore Winters, who owned some land on the north and the south of Putah Creek.
“Stevenson contracted Winters to buy 40 acres to build a train station,” Fridae said, adding the estimated sale was $5K. “Part of the deal was that he named the town and filed a plot map, and the ownership history was recorded.”
Winters became so popular that Buckeye locals coveted a piece within the three miles, placing homes on skids or trailers to relocate their residence. After City Hall was formed in 1916, the town began structurally shaping.
“Public works, roads, water and wastewater, and community development for city development “weren’t even concepts until the 1920s and onward, according to Craig.
Fridae’s tenure on the city council from 1988 to 1992 included working on
“We’ve
tal reports, and it was a big deal,” Fridae said. “It was a huge plan, and it took two years to write.”
According to Fridae, what was supposed to be a 20-year general plan from 1990-2010 remains, noting that “we’re still operating on that same general plan
Rob Coman, Historical Society of Winters
the general plan, an extensive map of municipal growth. The former council member counts it as one of the pivotal points in local government history.
“There were many public hearings, environmen-
now, some 15 years after.”
Following came the California Redevelopment Plan, another monumental moment in state government and Winters’ bureaucracy.
“You identified a blight-
ed area of town, you looked at the tax base, and then you came up with a plan that would revitalize that part of town,” Fridae said.
“We identified the downtown business area and some of the surrounding areas in the district.”
Government officials wanted to keep Winters unique, so they only allowed antique lighting and brickwork downtown and created outdoor seating.
The first traffic light was installed, and officials offered businesses a 50-50 facelift match of $25K “to fit the character of the town.”
“You build it, and they will come,” Fridae said.
“Once we went through those redevelopment plans, the downtown became very attractive, and businesses started to spring up.”
Historical Society of Winters treasurer Rob Coman recalled the redevelop-
ment, noting government officials and the city manager had a vision for downtown that was “very instrumental in making it the boutique destination town we are right now.”
“I think it made a huge difference because during the late 60s, 70s, and 80s, this town was dying, because there were no jobs, no industry, and there weren’t visitors,” Coman said. “We’ve always been an agricultural town, and so we’ve seen many changes for different economic reasons.”
While the League of California Cities and the city attorney keep Craig “abreast of any major changes that require compliance,” officials also must adhere to election laws.
“The size of the city and how we vote have changed
Crystal Apilado/Winters Express
Woody Fridae shows a photo of the Wolfskill brothers during a Winters history tour for Express staff at the Berryessa Gap Vineyard winery.
Rewind & Revisit
Dispatches from the Express archives.
City named
after
business man Theodore Winters
Reprinted from the May 22, 1975, Centennial Edition published by the Winters Express Winters Express
Theodore Winters, for whom the city of Winters was named was described in an early issue of the Winters Advocate in 1876 as a “capitalist”.
The town was given the name of Winters after Mr. Winters donated 40 acres of land to the Vacaville and Clear Lake Railroad to start a town. D.P. Edwards also gave the town 40 acres.
At the time, in 1875, the railroad was having financial trouble in extending the railroad north to Putah Creek, and Winters, along with others, gave money to the railroad to help pay the cost of putting the bridge across Putah Creek.
Winters was born in Illinois on Sept. 14, 1823, where his father, John David Winters, had developed a stage line and freight business in Illinois.
In 1848, Theodore’s father and brothers, John D. Jr. and Joseph and daughter Harriet, headed for California via the Oregon Trail and left Theodore to dispose of the family business. Theodore, who had married in 1847 to Sarah Marshall, stayed on in Illinois until the spring of 1849.
He then brought his wife and small son, George, to California where they joined the rest of the family at Forest City, situated on the American River.
There, the Winters family did some mining, some farming, but mostly hauling freight to the gold fields. When gold strikes occurred in Nevada, the Winters father and sons began hauling freight from Placerville and into the Carson Valley.
Tragedy
In 1852, Mrs. Sarah Winters returned to Illinois to visit her parents, making the trip both ways by ship around the horn. She arrived back in San Francisco, but on Jan. 3, 1853, while traveling by boat back to Sacramento, the vessel she was on, the “Comanche” collided with another steamer, the “J. Bragdon” and sank in a few minutes. George who was 5, was saved, but Mrs. Winters, and 2-year old Helen were drowned.
On March 21, 1860, Mr. Winters, who was then 37, married Margaret Martin, who was then 15.
In the 1850s, the Winters family became wealthy, both from their freighting business and from interests they held in the Comstock Lode. Their freight line in Nevada was called “The Winters Express.”
In 1857, Brigham Young, leader of the Church of Latter Day Saints, called for all of his followers to return to Salt Lake City.
Mr. Winters, seeing an opportunity to buy land from the Mormons, cheap, bought a square mile of land of choice land in the Washoe Valley in Nevada from Jacob Rose for $50 and a team of oxen. He bought additional Mormon property in the valley until he had 1280 acres there.
He expanded his holdings until ten years later, he owned more than 18,000 acres in California and Nevada, including about 1300 acres he bought from the Wolfskills on both sides of Putah Creek here and in Sacramento where Executive Airport is now located.
Racehorses
About 1860 Winters began to interest himself in horse racing, with a race track built in Carson Valley.
In 1864, while he was on a trip east to perfect the title to some of his lands, he stopped off in St. Louis to watch a horse race and bought his most famous race horse “Norfolk,” from Mr. R. A. Alexander, owner of the Woodburn stud farm, in Kentucky.
Winters had his horse shipped to California via Panama, and no horse was able to outrun the stallion. Winters credited with introducing thoroughbred horses to the west, and the
See THEODORE, Page 5
John Reid Wolfskill, the area’s earliest American settler, 1842
Reprinted from the May 22, 1975, Centennial Edition published by the Winters Express
Winters Express
The following article consists of excerpts from “John Reid of Wolfskill, The Pioneer of Solano County,” by Brooks C. Sackett. “Remember, Youth, as you pass by, As you are now so once was I; As I am now so you must be, Prepare for death and eternity.”
These cheerless words, etched in stone, are the legend left by John Reid Wolfskill, the pioneer of Solano County. He was the first English speaking man to settle in the area around what is now Winters. There, he worked, prospered, raised a large family, and died. Born in 1804, John Reid Wolfskill was one of five brothers, all of whom eventually left their birthplace in Madison County, Kentucky to come west.
William, the eldest, was the first to come to California. He arrive in the southwest in 1821 while the region was still held and administered by the Mexican government. He spent ten years trapping in the New Mexico area, where in 1828 he was made a Mexican citizen. Eventually, he moved west to Los Angeles, opening the Santa Fe Trail to California in the process.
William Wolfskill eventually turned away from trapping and from 1838 on devoted himself wholly to the vineyards in southern California which were to make him rich and famous. Vines and fruit trees were his primary interests. He relied on mission varieties initially an experimented with these and other types. In 1857, he became the first man to plant and grow oranges commercially in California.
Marrying into an influential Mexican family in 1841, he became prominent in southern California society and public life.
John Wolfskill arrived in Los Angeles in Feb. 1838. He worked for his brother for two years, then he took the advice of a friend, Juan Jose Warner, and headed north to seek a place of his own. He first stopped at Sonoma to ask General Mariano Vallejo’s permission to scout the area for a suitable place to settle. The General allowed him to look over the territory, but made it clear that under no circumstances would the land be granted.
Again on the advice of Warner, John Wolfskill scouted the area around what is today Winters. It was there, along the banks of Putah Creek that Wolfskill saw what he considered to be the best land for settlement. The area was slightly higher than the surrounding valley floor and the constant source of water provided by the creek a crucial factor to any agricultural was plentiful. Wolfskill relied on the presence of wild oats as an indication of soil fertility and water distribution.
Mark West, a friend of Wolfskills living
in Sonoma, asked Vallejo to reconsider the possibility of a grant. He refused. In 1841, Jacob P. Leese, the son-in-law of the general also intervened on Wolfskill’s behalf. If was finally agreed that a grant of four square Mexican league’s, over 17,750 acres, would be approved by Vallejo, clearing the way for a grant by the Mexican governor of California.
On May 24, 1842, the grant was made by Governor Juan Bautista de Alvarado to William Wolfskill, a naturalized Mexican citizen. In that same year John Wolfskill
the creek. Most of these projects were carried out by Wolfskill with the help of a few indigenous people who still inhabited the area. (A small pox epidemic had decimated the native population in 1837-39). Various American and Mexican adventurers who happened through the region also helped him occasionally.
Until 1849, the property was in William Wolfskill’s name. In that year, one half of the property was transferred into John’s name. His portion was the section on the south side of the creek, in what is now
“During the more than 50 years that John D. Wolfskill lived in the Winters area, his concentration on different types of crops and products shifted.”
headed out from Los Angeles with a herd of cattle, oxen, and a few horses for the property that he was later to describe as “... four leagues of the finest land in the world.”
Once on the property, named Rancho de Los Putos, John Wolfskill put his livestock out to graze and constructed a small shack out of mud and reeds. This served as his home for the first few years. Along with grazing cattle, Wolfskill also planted and tended fruit trees, barley, corn, beans, and vines. For the first three years water was hauled by bucket from
Solano County.
Legal problems with the land grant when California became part of the United States, but in 1854, upon the petition of William Wolfskill, the grant was confirmed by the Board of Commissioners appointed to settle private land claims in the State of California. During the more than 50 years that John D. Wolfskill lived in the Winters area, his concentration on different types of crops and products shifted. In the days before the gold rush of 1849, his main emphasis was on fruits, vegetables
and livestock. When the gold rush started he was among the first purveyors of fresh fruit. By the time the mania for gold had subsided, enough of the original gold seekers and others had settled permanently in greater bay and valley areas to provide a good, steady market for Wolfskill’s produce. His ranch continued to meet the demand for fruits and vegetables in the Sacramento and San Francisco markets for the next four decades. Although there is no data on profits the estimated value of his holdings grew phenomenally. According to the U.S. Agricultural Census Schedule for 1850, Wolfskill’s total assets were valued at $5,000. By 1870, the estimate was $190,000. For transportation, Wolfskill had the insight to goods to Sacramento. Later, he hauled his produce to Suisun City and there put it on boats for San Francisco. With the connection in 1869 of the Vaca Valley and Clear Lake Railroad to Elmira, four and one-half miles away, fruit from the Winters area could be shipped to the East Coast for sale by commission. Up to his death in 1897, John Wolfskill continued to grow crops of many varieties. His emphasis was heavy on wheat in the 1870’s but he eventually returned to the orchard and vine products. He had figs, olives, oranges, apricots, black walnuts, Muscat
Courtesy photo
John Reid Wolfskill
See WOLFSKILL, Page 5
Courtesy photo
Theodore Winters
contests between Norfolk and Lodi, a horse owned by Judge Charles Bryan, are legendary. The climate at Carson Valley proves to be severe in the winter months, so in 1865, he bought 1300 acres of land here from Malthus Wolfskill including 700 acres in Yolo County and 600 in Solano. He constructed race tracks on both sides of Putah Creek, and he not only had the mild climate here, but was close to the race tracks in Sacramento and the Bay Area. He continued to commute between his ranches in the Carson Valley and his holdings in this area, and the proposed construction of a railroad north from Vacaville would
vines, Eastern Shellbark hickory nuts, pecans, French Madeira nuts, peaches, plums, apples, lemons, limes, pomegranates, almonds, persimmons, and melons of many varieties.
It is difficult to determine sources for these crops. There are references to olive and vine cuttings and figs and blood oranges from the Mission San Francisco Solano. Other reports credit shipments from Kentucky and Los Angeles as sources of seeds and products for the Wolfskill ranch.
John Wolfskill’s initial success in the area was to inspire his brothers, Malthus Wolfskill, born in Howard County Missouri, in 1810. Crossing the plains with his family by ox teams, he reached his brother John’s ranch in October of that year. He set- tled in the Winters bridge. In 1865 he sold his holdings to Theodore Winters, founder of the town of Winters. The next year
benefit him, not only in shipping agricultural products, but also in moving his horses to race tracks. This prompted him to offer land to the railroad, along with substantial money to build the bridge across Putah Creek. In 1877, he sold his holdings on the Solano side of the creek to William Baker, and built a home on the Yolo County property, about one and a half miles east of Winters. The Winters Advocate reported in 1878 that he built a grandstand at his race track here to seat 1,100 people. From 1865 to 1890 were the hey-days of Winters’ racing stables. Many famous horses were born and raised in his stables here. Those colts that didn’t possess all of the desired traits
he moved to Suisun. In 1852, Sarchel Wolfskill brought his wife and son to the Winters area to farm alongside his brothers. With 1200 acres of land, they prospered through a career in agriculture. They lived in John Wolfskill’s house until 1874, when they built their own home. In 1858, Milton Wolfskill came to California with his wife. The house they built is still standing about seven miles west of Winters. Though obviously prominent, and a motive force for his brothers, John Wolfskill seemed unconcerned with publicity or prestige. According to his grand-daughter, he was a man without pretensions. His friends were usually other farmers or people with strong interests in the land. Not often in the public eye, he was content to graft new varieties, to experiment with new methods of pest control or irrigation, or in his later years, to read farm journals. For social ritual and entertainment, he re-
were shipped to his Nevada ranch where they were broken for riding or teaming.
Politics
In 1890, Theodore Winters ran for governor of Nevada, on the Democratic ticket and sold all of his property here, both to help finance his campaign for governor and also to move his horses. to Nevada where his opponent couldn’t claim that he was a “carpetbagger.” He was soundly beaten in the election that fall.
The political race was the turning point in Winters fortunes. The campaign left him heavily in debt, and he had to sell some of his Nevada property.
His 17-year-old daughter Maggie, died of jaundice in San Francisco in 1897. Mrs. Winters, who had borne ten children, seemed to lose all
stricted himself to visiting county and state agricultural fairs, and he frequently participated in exhibitions of farm products and on occasion, won. He was fascinated by gadgets and brought some back with him from each fair that he attended.
Reportedly a generous man, he provided a small school for the children of laborers in the 1880’s and he and his wife, Susan, the daughter of Major Stephen Cooper, made calls on the poor and the sick bringing with them good wishes and baskets of vegetables, fruits and smoked meats.
One of the most famous homes in the area was built in 1892 when the earthquake destroyed the Wolfskill home. Appropriately referred to as the “Wolfskill Mansion,” the new building was a two-story structure built around a large central fountain and a spacious patio area. A hand painted mural was on the walls of the den, and the entire house was furnished with oriental rugs
percent came back afterwards, so it was a big change,” Lopez said.
while “making way for new developments in the community that meet the standards.”
a lot over the years,”
Craig said. “From a single polling place to now voting by mail, from walking door to door to mailers and internet advertising, the city is fortunate that the campaigns remain civil among many who care deeply for the community and want to see it succeed.”
There was a time when that was not the case, according to Winters Historical Society President Gloria Lopez, who said the internment of the Japanese community in 1942 had “a large effect on the diversity of our local area,” and the government.
“We think maybe there are 100 families, 300 people here of the Japanese community, all forced to leave because of World War II, and then maybe 15
Craig details many significant changes in Winters, starting with the creation of the fire department in 1902, the opening of city hall in 1916, and the swearing-in of the first police chief in 1937. By 1964, the first zoning documents controlling homebuilding were drawn.
“A strong local government is essential to provide the high quality of life we enjoy in the city of Winters,” Craig said. “The city team makes sure your wastewater gets treated when you flush your toilet; that you have safe, clean drinking water; that the community is secure and that emergency services respond quickly during medical or fire emergencies.”
The team also maintains family parks
interest, in life after Maggie’s death and died in San Francisco on May 30, 1898.
Financial problems continued to plague Theodore, and he lost a series of water rights cases which didn’t help. At a sale of broodmares at the Nevada State Fair in 1899, none of the Winters horses brought more than $95.
Theodore Winters died at his home in the Carson Valley on Aug. 3, 1906. One of his daughters, Neva Winters Sauer, kept the Winters Ranch until her death in Sept. 1953.
The wills of Theodore and Margaret Winters were not probated until after the death of Neva Sauer, and in order to begin settling the estate, the ranch was sold to E. W. Scripps II, prominent newspaper chain mag-
and carved oak fur niture. The wall pan eling was made from the wood and bark of walnut and oak trees on the property itself. This home was later destroyed by fire.
At the age of eighty, when his short bi ographical statement was taken by a friend, John Wolfskill said that he preferred the quiet life of the coun try to the life of “ex citement of the busi ness man.”
“A strong local government also provides a place for residents to reach out for assistance, such as firsttime homebuyer or affordable or senior housing.”
Craig explains through all Winters government changes, regulations rule.
“Each year, the city team reviews the latest legislation from the state and federal governments to determine its impacts on the city,” Craig said. “Often, this legislation may create new requirements for the city that need to be followed.”
No matter the rule or regulation, after 150 years, Winters has and will remain a three-mile slice of California heaven for locals and visitors alike.
nate. Theodore Winters had twelve children, two by his first wife, and ten by his second. The children from his first marriage were George and Helen and by his second wife were Frankie, Nettie, Mark, Nellie, Lou, Neva, Maggie, Archie, Theodora, and an infant that lived just a short time.
Note: This article was written in 1975 using information from the Winters Advocate, 1876. Since then, according to the book “Winters: A Heritage of Horticulture, A Harmony of Purpose,” by Joann Leach Larkey, Yolo County records have been found that indicate Winters was paid $5,000 by the Vaca Valley Railroad Company for his land, to build the railroad and town of Winters.
After his death his daughter Francis took over the property and operated it with the help of her second husband, Lawrence Wilson. In 1934, when she died, she left approximately one hundred and seven acres of the grant to the Department of Pomology of the University of California, Davis, with the understanding that the property was to be used as an experimental horticulture station and the line of
olive trees planted by Wolfskill in 1861 1861 was to remain standing. In 1936, the ownership of the property was transferred and since then has been operated by the Davis campus.
The accomplishments of the experimentation are impressive. Work there has resulted in the development, naming, and release for
commercial orchard use of five new cling peach varieties, six new plum varieties, a new almond variety and several new strawberry varieties. Experiments are also continuing in olive, walnut and fig varieties and tests are being conducted to determine the effects of chemical thinning procedures used on apricots.
We offer the best of all worlds. We have the best customer service and most inexpensive prices in the area. We are happy that we opened in Winters and are pleased to be part of this community.
Annette and Will
HISTORY
Courtesy photo
In 1911, the Winters Railroad Depot was a lively hub as after the train was introduced. It was built at the end of Abbey Street where the Mariani Nut Co. parking lot and warehouses are now.
File photo
This is the Wolfskill house, which was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1892. The original house was destroyed.
Reflecting on historic milestones, the road ahead Winters Police honor generations of service
By Sonora Slater Winters Express
This year, the Winters Police Department, alongside the city of Winters, is celebrating 150 years since the first municipal election, which took place on May 22, 1875. In recognition of this milestone, the department has authorized a special anniversary badge to be worn by personnel throughout the year, based on the design of the Winters Constable badge from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Peace officers, including constables, marshals, and nightwatchmen, as well as patrolmen and police officers, have all worked to keep the city safe over the past century and a half, and the badge is meant to honor their public service.
The badge was specifically designed around one worn by Constable Gilbert Crowder in the 1930s before he was appointed Chief of Police sometime in the 40s. Crowder’s badge had a six-pointed star known as the Seal of Solomon hand stamped in the middle. This personalization was common in those days among members of the Freemasons, a social group for men often associated with the idea of self-improvement.
Police chiefs
In total, there have been 10 police chiefs in the history of the city of Winters, includ-
ing Chief Earl Washabaugh, who served in the 1930s, Chief Steve Godden, who served from 1980-2004, Chief Bruce Muramoto, who served from 2004-2011, Chief Joseph Kriens, who has served as interim Police Chief, Chief Sergio Gutierrez, who served from 2011-2015, and Chief John P. Miller, who is the current police chief and has served since 2016.
Unfortunately, the names of some of the other chiefs have been lost to time due to the re-issuing of badge numbers. However, Miller said he has begun only issuing badge numbers once and recording them on an ongoing badge list to better memorialize each officer moving forward.
150 years of policing
Much of the history of the police department throughout the past 150 years is fairly scattered throughout archived editions of the Winters Express, but there are some more well-known stories of notable officers who dedicated their lives to protecting Winters.
One of these was included in the centennial edition of the Winters Express, and can now be read on the Winters Police Department website: the story of City Marshal William Preston Rice, who was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 18, 1912.
Marshal Rice was responding to a call
about an intoxicated man waving a gun in the street — a man whom he had successfully talked to and calmed down on previous occasions — when he was shot in the chest and killed by the intoxicated man. He left behind a wife, Alice Chadwick, and a 14-month-old son, Harry Rice.
Since then, his name has been added to the Yolo County Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Woodland, the California Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Sacramento, and the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington, DC. He is the only known Winters Police Officer to have been killed in the line-ofduty.
Winters PD in 50 years
Today, the Winters Police Department, along with the city as a whole, is facing some difficulty with recruitment and retention efforts, and hiring and retaining qualified officers will likely continue to be a focus of the coming years. But looking forward,
Miller said he’s hopeful that 50 years from now, the department will have continued their lengthy legacy of public service in a way that they and the citizens of Winters can be proud of.
“In 50 years, the fundamental mission of the Winters Police Department will remain the same,” Miller said.
“To provide service to our community, uphold the Constitution, and deter crime and disorder through impartial service to the law.” Technology, of course, may have changed — just as it’s safe to say that body cameras and other
Courtesy photo
The new anniversary badge (left) and the Constable badge worn by Gilbert Crowder in the 1930s (right). Crowder became Chief of Police in the 1940s and retired in 1948. The anniversary badge was issued in January.
From the desk of Chief Miller
The city of Winters was founded in 1875 and was served by both City Marshalls and Town Constables for many years.
The City Marshall was appointed by the local municipal court and primarily acted as the bailiff for court proceedings and served warrants issued by the court. The Town Constable was elected by the community and was responsible for maintaining order and providing local law enforcement. The City Marshall and Town Constable often worked together to safeguard the community.
The Office of Chief of Police was established by ordinance on Dec. 24, 1937. Officers were employed to enforce laws while Night Watchmen looked after the city while citizens slept.
The Winters Police Department is staffed with 11 full-time police officers including the Chief of Police, three Sergeants, and seven Of-
policing tools that are common today would’ve sounded impossible in the earliest days of the Winters Police Department, the next five decades may involve a rapid transformation of standard technology.
Even over the past 10 years, the Winters Police Department has added new patrol cars to their fleet, including a DUI enforcement vehicle in 2022, and — although perhaps more of an old-fashioned move — implemented a bike patrol in the city for the first time in 2017.
“They will look back wondering how we did the job with the antiquated tools we had and probably make
ficers. They are supported by one Administrative Coordinator and two Community Services Officers. The Administrative Coordinator is shared with the Fire Department and supervises all office functions including purchasing and managing the budget for both Departments. The Community Services Officers conduct records processing, data entry, evidence handling, code enforcement, community engagement, among many other additional support functions.
In 2017, the Winters Police Department redrafted its Mission, Vison, and Core Principals statement to clarify and direct the future of the department. Further, we have become a modern police department in terms of use of technology including records management system, less lethal alternatives, and body and vehicle cameras as well as training.
fun of the ‘old fashioned’ uniforms and equipment that we consider to be cutting edge today,” Miller said.
The past several years have also seen a notable increase in community engagement as a focus of the department, including events centered around public safety like National Night Out, the Public Safety Festival, and Shop With a Cop, participation in Youth Day and other city-wide festivals, and initiatives like a Trauma and Grief Support program and a Cadet program for youth.
Another notable moment for the department came with the hiring of its first female sergeant in 2018. With her hiring,
Sergeant Kelly McCoy became the highest-ranked female police officer in the department’s history. This remains true today, although the department has now had several female officers at other ranks.
The changes and challenges to come in the years ahead are hard to predict. But on the trail of a 150year legacy of policing, Miller said he believes the department can and will stick to its mission statement as a guiding light as it continuously determines its next steps.
“I hope we will leave them a legacy that we lived a life that mattered, doing something that mattered,” Miller said. “And that they are beholden to that legacy.”
been our customers since we first opened in 1939.
We will continue to try to bring you quality products at competitive prices and give you friendly, efficient service.
− John Lorenzo
For 150 years, many courageous men and women have provided for the safety of the residents and visitors of
One example was City Marshall William Preston “Dick” Rice, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Oct. 18, 1912. To honor and
pay homage to those men and women, the Winters Police Department designed and adopted a 150th anniversary commemorative badge modeled after the Winters Town Constable badge of the late 1800’s.
& Espresso Bar
Stop by Berryessa Sporting Goods for all your fishing and outdoor needs. We serve as a sporting and quick-stop retail shop and gas station. You can also order from the Daily Grind menu, serving a variety of hot and cold drinks including coffee,
Winters.
—John P. Miller, Winters Police Chief
John P. Miller, Chief of Police Winters Police Department
Courtesy photo
Rewind & Revisit
Dispatches from the Express archives.
Reprinted from the Oct. 25, 1912, edition of the Winters Express
At the noon hour on Friday James W. Chapman in passing down the street near the cannery in his automobile noticed Jacinto Vaca, a Mexican, parading up and down the street talking in a maudlin manner and flourishing a shot gun in a threatening manner. Mr. Chapman, knowing the man, and tearing that he would do some one harm, came down Main Street and found Constable Andrews and City Marshal Rice and notified them of what he had seen. The two officers accompanied him back to the scene. Seemingly not to realize that there was any great danger, the three men proceeded to the place without even a revolver in the possession of etiher. No doubt Marshal Rice thought such a precaution unnecessary as on two or three occasions before he had pacified this same man who had molested the peace of his family and neighbors. Vaca saw them coming and at once found refuge in his home. Marshal Rice went to the front porch and began to talk to Vaca, who stood on the inside of the house holding the gun in his hands, and plead with him to come out, assuring him that all he wanted was to talk the matter over with him. Both
KILLED WITHOUT WARNING.
Chapman and Andrews thought that possibly while Vaca was talking with Rice they might enter the rear of the house and close in on him and capture him without any harm being done, but while they were maneuvering to do this all of a sudden, and without warning, Vaca fired the fatal shot, shooting the Marshal through the heart. The shot being so accurate that it dispels the idea that he was so drunk that he did not know what he was doing. But a very short time before this he had been in the postoffice where he had secured a money order, and at which time he showed no serious effects of drinking.
After firing the fatal shot Vaca stepped out in the street and “broke” his gun to reload it and probably kill both Chapman and Andrew. Mr. Chapman noticed this, and in a flash, noted the time and distance, and made a rush for Vaca, catching him just as he was closing his gun. Mr. Chapman grappled the crazed man and in a short time threw him to the ground where he was handcuffed and tied, but not until after Chapman had been severely scratched about the face. By this time a crowd began to gather and a testing of quick justice soon spread. The assassin was hurried to the city jail and this place was at once placed under
guard. For a while it looked as though noting could prevent a “hanging bee.” There was not a person present whose nerves were not strained-the crime was so cold-blooded, the victim was so good. The more the crime was discussed, the more demand for swift justice. The feeling got so intense that a rope, with a hangman’s knot, was thrown over a telegraph pole in front of the city jail; a crowbar and other utensils generally used in liberating a prisoner against his will were to be seen near by. Then it was that the more conservatives advised to let the law take its course. But this advice was hard for some to take, from the fact that every day they read of pardons and paroles for some of those who have committed the most heinous crimes.
WILLIAM PRESTON RICE
William Preston Rice, familiarly known as “Dick” Rice, was a native of California, having been born in Santa Barbara. At the time of his death he was 41 years, 6 months and 1 day old.
About 26 years ago he moved with his parents to Winters where he has continuously resided since.
About six years ago he was married to Miss Alice Chadwick, one of the most popular and charming ladies of this vicinity, and to
them one child was born, a son, who is now fourteen months old.
During the residence of Mr. Rice in Winters he has followed various oc- cupations. About six months ago he was appointed as City Marshal by the Board of Town Trustees. No better selection could have possibly been made. As an officer he was fearless; as to the many trifling controversies that would arise he was a peacemaker. In fact on more than one occasion he had befriend the man who assassinated him. There was no more popular man in the community than was Dick Rice. He had every qualification that goes to make an honorable, upright citizen. He had that peculiar and winning way about him that one could not know him but to love and respect him. Dick Rice was a household word with every family in Winters. He was charitable to a fault; he always looked at the bright side of every proposition; his advice was more sought than any other man in the community; he was conscientious; it seemed as though he was sought as a go-between to settle most all troubles and disputes, and he has often remarked that he would rather settle all cases out of court than in court. But Dick is no more, he has gone to that great beyond from whence no mortal returns. His memory
will be cherished by those who knew him. May he rest in peace. Mr. Rice leaves to mourn their loss an aged mother “Grandma” Rice, a loving wife, Mrs. Alice Rice and their infant son; two sisters, Mrs. Lottie Roberts of Modesto and Mrs. Otto Chisholm, of Washington; three brothers, J. E. and George Rice of Winters and Albert Rice of Montana.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral of Mr. Rice which was held on Sunday afternoon was the largest and one of the most solemn ever held in this vicinity. All manner of business was suspended and almost the entire population turned out to pay their last sad respects.
The burial ceremony was conducted by the Woodmen of the World, assisted by Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows, of which orders the deceased was an honored member. The service at the house was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Culton. He was assisted by a choir composed of Mrs. Errington, Mrs. Sinclair, C. M. Cole and Lee Humphrey, who appropriately rendered, “There will be no Dark Valley” and “Sometime we will Understand.”
The floral offerings were profuse and elaborate, the room in which the remains rested being banked to the ceiling with offerings.
As the city of Winters celebrates its 150th anniversary, The Winters Express is proud to honor the legacy we've shared with this community since 1884. For over 140 years, we've been Winters’ trusted local newspaper — reporting on city government, schools, sports, and the stories that shape our town. From milestones and memories to challenges and triumphs, we’ve stood as a watchdog, a voice, and a record keeper for generations. Here’s to 150 years of community — and to continuing the
Rewind & Revisit
Dispatches from the Express archives.
Bettie Sinclair was first city councilwoman
Reprinted from the May 22, 1975, Centennial Edition published by the Winters Express
By Susanne Rockwell Winters Express
Mrs. Bettie Sinclair was the first woman to serve on the Winters city council, being elected to that position in the 1920s. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Venable Morris, who were among the founders of Winters. Mr. Morris was the manager of the Buckeye Grangers’ Warehouse Association from 1875 until his death in 1893, Mrs. Sinclair ran the warehouses from 1904 until about 1920 when the association was dissolved and the property sold to
Ed Hart.
She was married to Charles Sinclair in 1892 and he died in 1899, leaving her two small daughters to rear. The daughters are Mrs. Nannie Niemann of Winters and Mrs. Arthur Brainerd.
A devout Baptist, she was active in church and community affairs and passed away in 1951.
Miss Emma saves town
Reprinted from the May 22, 1975, Centennial Edition published by the Winters Express
By Susanne Rockwell Winters Express
One of the few Winters Express “extras” was issued on Saturday, October 17, 1897, after an early morning fire which threatened to burn down the town was finally squelched.
The fire, which began in the barn behind Willis’ tin shop on First Street next to the Masonic Hall, destroyed over $20,000 worth of merchandise, buildings and Masonic Lodge furniture, wedding presents and books.
There was a heroine involved in the dramatic fire, Miss Emma Lechleiter, 17, the daughter of the man who owned the waterworks company in town. She was aroused by the clamoring fire bell which succeeded in bringing the whole town to the scene of the blaze.
Miss Emma and her mother, once they heard the bells, immediately started a fire to build up steam to run the pump and had the steam ready within just 13 minutes. Her father unfortunately was out of town.
However, as the Express drolly said, “Nobody seemed to think of the fire hose that the town possessed somewhere, and which serves the purpose of allowing the people to say “yes” when the insurance agent asks if there is any fire apparatus, while to extinguish such a conflagration with buckets or even stay its spread to the entire business part of the town seemed a hopeless task.”
By the time someone finally thought of the fire hose, the fire had enveloped four buildings and spread to the steeple of the Methodist Church, one block away.
The Express continued, “As usual,
Despite opposition, city incorporates
Reprinted from the Winters Incorporation Centennial Edition, 1998 published by the Winters Express
Voters Decide by a Good Majority
Winters Express
• No contest for the offices
• No illegal vote cast and only one challenge- The regular ticket was easily elected-Quick counting of returns.
The momentous day for incorporation of the town of Winters came Tuesday and went to the satisfaction of the promoters of the proposition. The polls were opened at sunrise with the following board: Judges, G.W. Hemenway and D.O. Judy; inspectors, J.W. Lamme and T.E. McFall; clerks, W.P. Fassett and Charles Sinclair; ballot clerks, J.H. Yaxley and R.L. Day. As quick as the polls were ready, R. Morrison, who was called to Woodland to serve on the jury, deposited his ballot, and in ten minutes half that many more ballots went into the box.
All day long the voters dropped in leisurely, very little excitement being raised and no trouble occurred over
election matters. Two voters who registered too late desired to cast their ballots, and one was challenged because of non-residence and his vote refused.
A few people seemed to think the board unjustified in their decision, but if they had taken the time to study the law they could easily see that nothing else could have been done.
A Supreme Court decision plainly holds that the residence of a working man unmarried and without a permanent home has residence where he is employed and this case fit the decision exactly. The judges, being appointed by the supervisors and sworn to obey the law, could have made no other decision.
To the credit of working men coming under this rule it is said that they re- mained away from the polls.
Promptly, upon closing the polls at five o’clock the counting of the ballots began, and in about two hours it was finished the result being as follows:
Trustees
L.A. Danner, 116; J.Jeans, 118; Z. T. Magill, 116; A. A. Prescott, 121; Henry Seaman, 114.
For clerk, W.A Gregory, 105.
For treasurer, M.O. Wyatt, 102. For marshal, G.H. Anderson, 98 and William Burrows, 28. Messrs. Henderson, McFall, W.P. Fassett and Fenley had one vote each for trustee and F.W. Wilson four; W.P. Womack received two for marshal. One voter remembered Z.T. Magill for trustee, and after stamping his cross after the doctor’s name, quit. The first ballot taken from the box was entirely blank, the voter having wet the end of the stamp with his tongue only, and it having not been used before left only a damp spot that dried away.
Quite a number of ballots were simply voted against incorporation, a very consistent act, for if the voter was opposed to the proposition had no use for town officers. Perhaps two thirds of the votes against incorporation were for a full municipal ticket.
Some young men thought they were doing a smart trick when they substituted Chinese names for those on the ticket, but if they have any regard for the opinions of their fellow citizens, they are sorry they exhibited their asinine qualities so prominently. Hoodlumism never pays.
when water is needed more than anything else, the pump declined to start, and being situated twenty feet down a dark shaft, it was not a pleasant job to go down and doctor itbut Miss Emma saw there was no other way and she bravely climbed down the ladder and set the pump going.”
Just as in an old-fashioned melodrama, calamity followed mishap. Firemen reported that there was still no water pressure, so the self-reliant young lady hurried to the scene of the fire, at First and Main Streets, and discovered a rock in the nozzle of the fire hose.
And, once Miss Emma dislodged the rock the pump would still not feed the hose, since someone else had turned the pumping stream into the tanks instead of directly through the mains and the hose. There was not even enough force to spray the water up one story.
Meanwhile the fire was sending flying embers to the roofs of Danner’s paint shop and Bertholet’s laundry building, which the firefighters doused with wet blankets and sacks. There was just enough pressure in the hoses to keep the bucket brigade busy filling the buckets. Finally, the early morning disaster crew confined the fire and saved the town from its spreading up the row of wooden buildings to Judy Brothers big livery stable where the main business center was.
The Express editor surmised that the fire spread from the barn (where a tramp had perhaps been sleeping and had accidently ignited the building with a stray match or cigarette butt) to the rear of Rummelsburg’s store which
See EMMA, Page 12
Winters City Hall origins
Express staff
Close to downtown Winters stands a stately edifice that has anchored the town’s civic life for over a century: Winters City Hall. Its symmetrical façade, elegant Classical Revival details, and commanding presence reflect not only architectural ambition but also the resilience and determination of a small town committed to its future.
The story of Winters City Hall begins not with grandeur but with grit — and grim conditions. By 1903, the county jail in Winters was in such deplorable shape that local leaders knew action was imperative. A decision was made to erect a new building that would house not only the jail but also public offices. A parcel of land was purchased, and aspirations were high—but the funds were not. For over a decade, the project stalled as the town grappled with the financial realities of such an undertaking. It wasn’t until 1916 that the long-delayed vision finally materialized. To bring it to life, the city turned to one of California’s most esteemed architects of the era, William H. Weeks. Known for his prolific portfolio of public buildings and elegant command of form and function, Weeks also designed the First Christian Church in Winters. His plans for the new municipal building were ambitious — so ambitious, in fact, that the city purchased two additional lots from local benefactor Alex Ritchie to accommodate the full structure.
Weeks’ design integrated a multitude of public functions under one roof: the city hall, jail, fire department, courtrooms, jury room, library, city
“The story of Winters City Hall begins not with grandeur but with grit — and grim conditions.”
attorney’s office, and the town clerk’s office. The two-story building was envisioned as a civic hub—and it quickly became one. The courtroom doubled as a community gathering space, hosting events by the Winters Band, the American Legion, and the Fortnightly Club, which still meets there today and has even refurbished the building’s kitchen.
Constructed by L. T. Bergren and Son of San Francisco for a bid of $10,272, the building’s total investment, including land, came to $20,000. The cost was covered by a combination of sources: a local bond issue, a donation from the Women’s Improvement Club, and financial support from Yolo County, which contributed in exchange for housing a branch library and jail within the structure.
The dedication ceremony, held in October 1916, was a celebration befitting the building’s significance. Alongside the afternoon formalities at City Hall, townspeople gathered that evening at the Opera House — then located above what is now the Vasey Bros. store — for a banquet and program to mark the occasion. At the helm of city government at the time were Mayor R. L. Niemann and councilmembers G. L. Barnes, T. H. Fenley, D. O. Judy, and E. B. Kemper. W. S. Womack served as city clerk, and L. F. Davisson as city attorney.
More than a century later, Winters City Hall remains a functional monument to the town’s civic pride. Its Classical Revival architecture — with pilasters, decorative detailing, and a dignified pedimented entry — reflects the early 20th-century belief in public architecture as a form of public service.
City Council now
The Winters City Council is a five-member elected body with staggered four-year terms, ensuring continuity as two or three seats are contested every two years. Each member, including the mayor, earns a monthly salary of $300.
Regular meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, both in person at City Hall and via Zoom, with special meetings scheduled as needed. The mayor serves as the council’s official spokesperson. As the city’s legislative authority, the Council sets policies, approves budgets, determines fees, and makes land use decisions, all within state and federal legal frameworks. Any changes to city taxes require voter approval.
Several commissions also meet at City Hall, helping shape local policy and engage the community. The Natural Resources Commission advises on environmental sustainability; the Planning Commission oversees land use and development proposals; the Climate Action Commission focuses on reducing emissions and improving climate resilience; and the Hispanic Advisory Committee promotes outreach and integration of Winters’ Spanish-speaking community.
Courtesy photo
Winters City Hall was built in 1916. It has since been renovated multiple times over the yeras.
Courtesy photo Bettie Sinclair
Forged by flames: The Winters Fire Department stands as a pillar of century-long community
By Abigail Hofland Winters Express
Twenty-three years after the founding of Winters, the community recognized a need for coordinated fire protection. What began as a humble volunteer effort in 1898 has since become the Winters Fire Department, whose mission is “to protect life, safety, property, and the environment.”
For more than a century, firefighters have accomplished these goals through emergency response, fire prevention, fire training, and public education programs. Here’s a look at how fire protection in Winters has taken shape over the years.
The early years
Before there was a Winters Fire Department, there was a Hook and Ladder and Hose Company, established in April 1898. That summer, the city’s board of trustees passed an ordinance to create an official fire department.
During World War I, the protection of grain crops and foothill grazing lands became a priority.
The fledgling fire department benefited by consequence, with improvements including a hand-pulled cart rigged with a chemical tank to help fight fires in the city, a trailer rigged with chemicals to fight grain fires, and a 500-gallon-per-minute American La France engine.
The following decade, in early 1926,
the Winters Fire Protection District was formed under the Yolo County Special District law, and the city contracted with this district until 15 years ago, when the roles switched.
Fire protection for the city, by the city
In 2010, The district relinquished its assets to the city of Winters, which took over responsibility for administration, staff, equipment, and facilities. With that came an expanded fire protection region. The city is now responsible for all 93 square miles of the district as well as approximately 4 miles in the city. On the staffing and financial side, it cleaned a few things up.
“It brought housekeeping closer because we had the team under one umbrella,” said Art Mendoza, a retired Winters Fire captain.
For the first seven years after the department’s restructuring, the Winters Fire Department shared administration with the Dixon Fire Department. Following this phase, three captains served as interim chiefs in four-month stints, mentored by chiefs from Dixon. In early 2019, the City Manager appointed Brad L. Lopez to serve as first chief for the newly structured city of Winters Fire Department.
He was succeeded by the department’s current chief, Jack S. Snyder III. A complete list of depart-
ment chiefs through the years is as follows:
• T.H. Finley April 26, 1898 – May 2, 1902
• M. Warden, May 1902 – March 1912
• A.P. Cramer, March 1912 – October 1912
• A. McArthur, October 1912 – October 1934
• R. Ruggles, October 1934 – December 1934
• Francis (Pat) McGarr, January 1935 –July 1968
• Vernon C. Bruhn, July 1968 – Feb. 1987
• David G. Kidder, Feb. 1978 to November 2000
• Scott F. Dozier, November 2001 – 2011
• Dixon Fire Department, Admin 20122017
• Brad L. Lopez, January 2018 - April 2018
• Matthew Schechla, May 2018 - August 2018
• Art Mendoza, September 2018 - December 2018.
• Brad L. Lopez, March 2019- August 21, 2022
• Jack S. Snyder III, present
In addition to fire calls, Snyder says his team is on the scene for incidents ranging from water and hiking rescues to accident response.
“Medical calls are the highest volume right now,” he said, accounting for 70 to 80 percent of the department’s call volume. The core suppression force Current and past staff members point to one group of people as the force behind effective fire suppression in Winters — volunteers.
Mendoza, who re-
tired in April 2023 after three decades of serving the Winters community in fire protection, remembers the 1980s when
here,” Snyder agreed. Thanks to a FEMA grant in 2023, the department was able to bring on Recruitment and Retention coor-
“When you are on a call, you would not know the difference between our volunteer and career staff.”
Jack S. Snyder III, fire chief
the department was mostly composed of volunteers.
“Without the volunteers, the department wouldn’t have survived this long,” he said.
“The volunteers are our bread and butter
dinator Aide Aguilera, who Snyder says has significantly bolstered the volunteer program over the past two years.
With a volunteer application process open year-round and a training process on-
going, the department currently takes on four or five volunteers at a time. Their training is thorough.
“When you are on a call, you would not know the difference between our volunteer and career staff,” Snyder said.
What’s more, the extra hands have meant relief for a staff team accustomed to long working hours.
“We’ve been able to bring on enough volunteers to reduce our overtime to almost nothing,” Snyder said. An indispensable backbone
The interplay between volunteers and
and praised each of his
in Winters.
Fire Captain Jesus Marquez says all of the firefighters are problem solvers.
“No day is the same,” he said. With each call comes a problem to solve, and the firefighters are always prepared to solve it. Regarding what drew him to firefighting, he remarked, “I really enjoyed the aspect of helping your community but also making a difference in it.”
Fire Engineer Aaron Mendoza has a long heritage of fire protection, which was both caught and taught by his father, Art Mendoza. “All my family is here, so I have that close tie,” the younger Mendoza said. “The community gave me so much, and now I have the chance to give back.”
The elder Mendoza echoed his son’s enthusiasm.
“We always worked because we wanted to,” Art Mendoza said, and he credited Snyder and past chiefs for their excellent leadership.
“They’ll find ways to make sure everyone is equipped with the right tools,” he said.
Kindling the next generation of firefighters
Since the turn of the millennium, the Winters Fire Department has grown in a new direction: student fire education. What started in the early 2000s as a favor for a high school counselor turned into a full-fledged cadet training program for high schoolers.
Marquez says recruitment is not the goal, but it is often an outcome. This
year, for example, four out of seven students in the program expressed an interest in volunteering beyond it.
“We’re teaching not only firefighting skills but also life skills,” he said.
From CPR training and certification to basic equipment use and the importance of accountability, cadets in the department-funded program graduate equipped with the basics of fire protection and community service.
Aguilera is a graduate herself.
“Going through the cadet program opened my eyes to something exciting, and I wanted to be a part of it,” she said.
Noteworthy fire and emergency events
From the first major fire in July 1901, during which the water company owner’s daughter saved the day with a steam water pump and bucket brigades, to more recent fires such as the Braye Fire in 2007 and the Wragg Fire in 2014, local fire events through the decades have shaped the fire department’s response and training protocols.
Current staff reflected on a few memorable incidents during their service, including the May 2014 recovery of two construction workers at the building site of a bridge connecting Solano and Yolo counties. The Winters Fire Department was responsible for recovering the bodies using both high and low-angle rescue efforts.
Snyder said the LNU Lightning Complex Fire in August 2020 especially hit home for the Winters Fire Department.
“It was something that was a rude awakening, not only for the department but also the community in terms of wildfire preparation,” Snyder said.
The firefighters agreed that the community was fortunate not to have lost more structures in this event.
“We’ve had a lot of fires that have been big, but we haven’t lost many structures on the Yolo county side,” Art Mendoza said. Fighting for the future
From the 1980s until recently, the department staff model consisted of a chief, three captains, and an engineer, with a recruitment coordinator added to the team in 2023. Since last year’s passing of Prop 218, which designated funds to the fire department acquired through property tax assessments, the team plans to add two more engineers and a firefighter to the staff lineup.
Paralleling the Spirit of Winters, the Winters Fire Department has a spirit of its own: Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Trust. As the team continues to operate under this value set, Snyder says the department will remain focused on recruiting, training and retaining.
hands.
“The biggest thing for us is, regardless of growth and change, our volunteers are
needed across the board,” Snyder said. “Without them we wouldn’t be able to provide the level of service that we have.”
Art Mendoza knows he left the department in good
“I see the same dedication from when I was there,” he said. “They know what their mission is, and they love it. I live in Winters, and I feel safe.”
Courtesy photo
Volunteer firefighters engage in low-angle rescue training.
Credit
Winters firefighters engage in a rescue demonstration as part of the Youth Civic Engagement Day at City Hall program.
From the desk of Chief Snyder
As Fire Chief of the Winters Fire Department, it is both an honor and a privilege to reflect on our department’s legacy and to articulate the vision that will guide us into the future. Over the past 25 years, the Winters Fire Department has exemplified resilience, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding our community.
The history of our department is deeply rooted in the values of service, innovation, and community engagement. Established over a century ago, our organization began as a volunteer-driven force, reflective of the communal spirit of Winters. Over the last quarter-century, we have transitioned into a hybrid model of professional and volunteer personnel, an evolution driven by the growing complexity of public safety needs and the dynamic expansion of our city.
This period has been marked by transformative growth. Investments in cutting-edge firefighting apparatus, advanced communica-
tion systems, and state-of-the-art facilities have significantly enhanced our operational capacity. Our personnel are the cornerstone of this evolution, supported by comprehensive training programs that prepare them to address an array of challenges, from structural fires to wildland-urban interface incidents and emergency medical services.
Interagency collaboration has also emerged as a pillar of our operational strategy. Strengthening partnerships with regional and state agencies has fostered a robust mutual aid framework, enabling a unified response to largescale emergencies. This cooperative spirit reflects our commitment to shared responsibility in public safety.
As we look to the future, our focus is on sustainability, innovation, and community-centered growth.
Tused to store oil and similar goods. The big oil tanks exploded during the fire which spread the fire even further. Since the buildings were built with iron and tin construction materials, they soon became like furnaces, impossible to enter. The upper story of the Masonic Lodge caught fire before the lower story so that no one could save the lodge records.
Firefighters had to climb more than 50 feet up on ladders to the top of the Methodist Church cupola at the base of the tall steeple. A rope pulley was devised to haul the water buckets up to the firefighters
Strategic initiatives include the integration of environmentally responsible practices, leveraging emerging technologies such as predictive analytics and autonomous systems, and enhancing community risk reduction efforts through education and outreach.
with about 30 helpers below hoisting the buckets up. Other men climbed up the belfry from the inside of the church to the steeple and began to knock off the flaming shingles.
The Express mentions that, “Some peculiar people show up at fires. Dozens of men stood around with their hands in their pockets and never offered to help anybody. Some who did help actually had the effrontery during the day to ask Charles Binning to pay for their services.”
Among the losses listed were Rummelsburg’s wedding presents which the newlywed merchant had placed in storage “Preparatory to housekeeping” according to the Express.
Altogether, the merchant, who lost his building and stock, was insured only $8,300 and lost an estimated $12,000.
The Express sidenotes: “About the most surprised man was J. F. Moler. When walking up the street from helping carry something out of reach of the fire, somebody said, “Put that fire out of your hat.’ Moler took off his hat and found the crown of it completely burned out, and he hadn’t been aware of any conflagration in his vicinity either. It was a new $3 head gear.”
Miss Emma, the heroine of the fire disaster was awarded $6.60 for wood at the waterworks and in recognition for her services at the pump.
hese priorities align with our overarching mission to deliver exceptional service with integrity and professionalism.
protect. Together, we will continue to ensure a safe and resilient future for the city of Winters.
to satisfy the need of our
The Winters Fire Department’s
legacy is built on the dedication of those who have served before us and the trust of the community we are privileged to
—Jack S. Snyder III, Winters Fire Chief
Jack S. Snyder III, Fire Chief Winters Fire Department
Courtesy photo