A People’s History of the Inland Empire Digital Archive

Items

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  Colton, Wilson Reunion

  Interviewees attending the Wilson High School reunion recount their memories of Colton in their youth, the impact of the I-10 freeway on Colton, and their desires for the future of Colton's growth moving forward.
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  Colton, Pascual Olivas Reunion (Part Two)

  The second part of the Colton, Pascual Olivas Reunion. Dominic Philaseda recounts experiences as a musician. Angel Olivas recounts experiences in the military, the Second World War, the Post American Legion, discrimination, and benefits for Mexican Americans following the Second World War.
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  Colton, Pascual Olivas Reunion

  Rudy Olivas discusses his experience as a musician as well as the discrimination he witnessed in Colton, California throughout his life, including a sudden shift in attitude toward Mexican Americans following the Second World War. Rudy Oliva's wife, Julia Olivas, and grandchild, Joseph Kiones, discuss their lives and their experiences with music.
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  Unknown man in South Colton

  An unidentified young man standing on the sidewalk in South Colton. Behind him are old cars and the El Pano market.
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  Victoria Colunga at a Colton Playground

  Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) photographed at a park in South Colton. She is wearing an oversized blazer jacket and pants with her hair piled high on her head. The outfit is reminiscent of outfits worn by self proclaimed "Pachucas".
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  Corner - Orange and Colton Redlands, California

  Black and white postcard with an image of the corner of Orange and Colton in Redlands, California. Sunset Market, Winn's Drug Store, and the Casa Loma Service Station opened at the corner of Colton and Orange, on the site of the former Wyatt Opera House in the early 1930s. Aurelia Ruiz Reyes recalled other businesses that provided goods and services to the Mexican Colonia: "Don Sabas we used to call him. Well, that little store [on Colombia Street] belonged to that man first. No, no, it belonged to Japanese people, and then he took over. Then when the war came he took his son to Mexico, and that's when Tommy [Martinez] bought it. Tommy had it for a long time, and that was the only little store. This other man had a bakery of Mexican bread right there on Lawton Street in front of the House of Neighborly Service. My brother-in-law used to have a little gasoline station on Stuart Street right across from Sam's Cafe. Oh, there was the Resbalon, a bar where they used to have food, it was a wife's help for their husbands to go."
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  Corner - Orange and Colton Redlands, California

  Black and white postcard with an image of the corner of Orange and Colton in Redlands, California. Sunset Market, Winn's Drug Store, and the Casa Loma Service Station opened at the corner of Colton and Orange, on the site of the former Wyatt Opera House in the early 1930s. Aurelia Ruiz Reyes recalled other businesses that provided goods and services to the Mexican colonia: "Don Sabas we used to call him. Well, that little store [on Colombia street] belonged to that man first. No, no, it belonged to Japanese people, and then he took over. Then when the war came he took his son to Mexico, and that's when Tommy [Martinez] bought it. Tommy had it for a long time, and that was the only little store. This other man had a bakery of Mexican bread right there on Lawton Street in front of the House of Neighborly Service. My brother-in-law used to have a little gasoline station on Stuart Street right across from Sam's Cafe. Oh, there was the Resbalon, a bar where they used to have food, it was a wife's help for their husbands to go."
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  Ray Abril Colton, CA

  Ray Abril Jr. has a conversation with Antonio Vasquez about his life in Colton, Calif., including his experiences on the school board and how the city has changed over his lifetime.
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  Sixteenth of September Queen and Court

  The Queen and her court pose for a picture during the 16th of September festivities. The stage is decorated with American and Mexican flags, paper chains, palm fronds, and portraits of patriotic figures. The image belonged to Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) who was a runner up in the Queen contest, she is forth on the left. On the back is written "Sra Victoria Saldivar - H. Dama. Consirbelo como un recuerdo del 16 de sepbre. de 1945." On back is also a stamp "Comision Honorifica Mexicana - Colton Cal."
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  Sixteenth of September Queen Float

  The Queen and her court for the 16th of September festivities ride atop a float in a parade. The float is decorated with American and Mexican Flags. The image belonged to Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) who was a runner up in the Queen contest. On the back is written "Sra Victoria Saldivar - H. Dama. Consirbelo como un recuerdo del 16 de sepbre. de 1945." On back is also a stamp "Comision Honorifica Mexicana - Colton Cal."
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  Colunga Family in Grand Terrace

  Children, Oscar and Ruben Colunga, pose in matching outfits with an older relative and their mother Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar), overlooking Colton from atop a hill in what is now called Grand Terrace. During the 1940s the family called this location "Jap Hill" as it was the place where Japanese citizens were held before being sent to internment camps across the state during World War II. In the background you can see the Cooley Ranch and into the valley. Part of the album "Jap Hill in Colton March 25, 1954." The family would often visit this spot for picnics and outings especially after church on Sundays.
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  Victoria Colunga with Son Oscar

  Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) leans against a car with son Oscar Colunga, behind them is the neighborhood of South Colton. Some women walk in the street illustrating the active community in the area.
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  Oscar and Ruben Colunga with dog and unknown young man in Grand Terrace

  Children, Oscar and Ruben Colunga, pose in matching outfits with an older relative and their family dog, overlooking Colton from atop a hill in what is now called Grand Terrace. During the 1940s the family called this location "Jap Hill" as it was the place where Japanese citizens were held before being sent to internment camps across the state during World War II. In the background you can see the Cooley Ranch and into the valley including Mount Slover in the background. Part of the album "Jap Hill in Colton March 25, 1954." The family would often visit this spot for picnics and outings especially after church on Sundays.
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  Victoria Colunga in Grand Terrace

  Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) stands atop a hill in Grand Terrace. During the 1940s the family called this location "Jap Hill" as it was the place where Japanese citizens were held before being sent to internment camps across the state during World War II. In the background you can see the Cooley Ranch, the Santa Ana River wash, Mount Slover and into the South Colton community. Part of the album "Jap Hill in Colton March 25, 1954." The family would often visit this spot for picnics and outings especially after church on Sundays.
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  Oscar and Ruben Colunga in Grand Terrace

  Children, Oscar and Ruben Colunga, pose in matching outfits overlooking Colton from atop a hill in what is now called Grand Terrace. During the 1940s the family called this location "Jap Hill" as it was the place where Japanese citizens were held before being sent to internment camps across the state during World War II. In the background you can see the Cooley Ranch and into the valley. Part of the album "Jap Hill in Colton March 25, 1954." The family would often visit this spot for picnics and outings especially after church on Sundays.
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  Henry Vasquez 2024.001.018

  In this interview, Henry Vasquez discusses his family history in Mexico and the U.S., changes in San Bernardino during his life, his observations of the people in South Colton, and the the encroachment of warehouses on the community of Bloomington, as well as the pollution that comes with them. He actively resists the increase of warehouses in the area, and shares his perspective as an Indigenous person from Mexico, addressing Native beliefs about the land.
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  Manuel Reynosa Interview

  1997 interview with road layer Manuel Reynosa and his wife Patricia Reynosa. The interview begins with a discussion of Reynosa's family history including immigration from Silao in Guanajuato and building a home in Colton, CA. The Reynosas discuss Manuel's stepfather, Elvenjez Nuñez's work selling fertilizer and magazines from Mexico for extra money, working in agriculture with citrus and walnuts, and working on the canals in Riverside. During the depression, Manuel's first job was picking mustard plants out of the alfalfa fields in Cooley Ranch for 25 cents a day, then putting fertilizer on orange groves, irrigating and picking oranges in Highgrove, Agua Mansa, and Bryn Mawr. After WWII Manuel worked laying roads in San Bernardino and at a winery in Colton, construction, and irrigating for Western Fruit Growers. Patricia Reynosa discusses some of the local organizations they were involved in including the Progrestista and the Feminil which started in 1970 and was still in existence at the time of the interview. Patricia also discusses her work at Norton Airforce Base. At the conclusion of the interview, they discuss the 1938 flood and other floods in the region.
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  Anthony Victoria

  Margaret Razo is a longtime Bloomington, California resident who moved to the area in 1973 from Riverside. She narrates her family history and experiences in the originally rural area with tight-knit neighbors. She describes her upbringing and community involvement due to her father’s emphasis on making everyone feel included. Kessler Park was a staple of her childhood as she mentions get togethers and baseball games there. Over the years, industrialization begins to impact the once peaceful and simple area with an influx of warehouses and infrastructures that begin to displace lifelong residents, forcing them to relocate. Her concerns reveal the effects of warehouse and other industrial growth on well-established communities and the rural environment.
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  Eloise Gomez Reyes Homegrown Heroes Full Interview

  This interview with Eloise Gomez Reyes was conducted on March 22, 2024. Reyes is a California State Assembly member representing the Inland Empire region. In this interview, Reyes talks about her upbringing in a close-knit Latina/o/x community in Colton, her love for education, and how that led her to become the first in her family to attend USC and eventually pursuing a career in law and becoming the Assembly Majority Leader for the California State Assembly.
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  Victoria Colunga Dressed for Easter Celebrations

  Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) dressed in her finest for Easter Sunday celebrations at San Salvador Catholic Church, where festivities involved the burning of Judas (Camacho). The photograph was taken at her house in South Colton. She poses with an unknown baby girl.
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  Victoria Colunga and sons Dressed for Easter Celebrations

  Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) dressed in her finest for Easter Sunday celebrations at San Salvador Catholic Church, where festivities involved the burning of Judas (Camacho). She poses with her three sons, Donald (Donny), Oscar, and Ruben who wear matching white outfits. The photograph was taken at her house at NEED ADDRESS, South Colton.
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  Victoria and Narciso Colunga Dressed for Easter Celebrations

  Narciso Colunga (known as Chico) and Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) dressed in their finest for Easter Sunday celebrations at San Salvador Catholic Church, where festivities involved the burning of Judas (Camacho). The photograph was taken at their house in South Colton.
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  Family inside Concrete Pipes

  Family posing inside one of the many concrete pipes or "pipas" found all across South Colton. These pipes were manufactured by Hydro Conduit which Narciso (known as Chico) Colunga worked for. The pipes were even painted different colors and present in the local parks.
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  Victoria and Oscar Colunga by Concrete Pipes

  Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) stands with son Oscar who is just peaking his head out of the many concrete pipes or "pipas" found all across South Colton. These pipes were manufactured by Hydro Conduit which Narciso (known as Chico) Colunga worked for. The pipes were even painted different colors and present in the local parks.
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  Victoria and Oscar Colunga with Unknown woman in Concrete Pipes

  Victoria Colunga (maiden name Saldivar) stands with son Oscar who is inside one of the many concrete pipes or "pipas" found all across South Colton. These pipes were manufactured by Hydro Conduit which Narciso (known as Chico) Colunga worked for. The pipes were even painted different colors and present in the local parks.