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Sunday Concerned Group Honoring Manny Villegas

Letter to the Redlands Daily Facts from the Sunday Concerned Group of Redlands announcing a special breakfast to honor Manuel "Manny" Villegas. The Sunday Concern Group, also known as the Menudo Club was a civil rights coordinating committee based at Impact Presbyterian Church. The group advocated for the expansion of civil rights, public facilities, and city attention in the Northside of Redlands. The letter, dated June 30, 1981 reads: "The Sunday Concerned Group will serve a special breakfast complete with ceremonies, entertainment, and testimonials of gratitude and appreciation in honor of Mr. Manuel Villegas for his years of service and contributions to our youth, schools, and community on Sunday, July 12, 1981 from 9 to 11 A.M. in the Redlands Community Center, Washington & Lugonia Streets. "Manny Villegas came to Redlands from Zacatecas, Mexico, via El Paso, Texas and Cucamonga, California, where he was educated. He recieved his B.A. degree in 1933, and his M.A. degree in 1957 from the University of Redlands. Throughout his professional life he was a teacher, and a tireless worker in the community, from Fontana, to Cucamonga, and since 1952 in Redlands. He devoted his efforts to bringing athletic and cultural programs to area youth, and area youth to the programs, which included weight lifting, Folklorico dancing, Scouting, and the first Spanish Club in Redlands High School. He taught English language classes to wartime Braceros and Prisoners of War, as well as Spanish and Citizenship classes in Adult Education. After his retirement from Redlands High School, he became Senior Information & Referral Services Coordinator until illness limited his activites. The public is invited to attend and honor "Manny" at this breakfast. A donation of $5.00 per person is payable at the door. All proceeds will be donated to Redlands Community Hospital on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Villegas. Augie Medina, Chairman; Joe Gonzales President L.U.L.A.C.; Luise Linton Breakfast Chairperson; Rosemary Rhodes, Treasurer."
Redlands Redevelopment Town Hall

The second part of a Redlands redevelopment meeting, see the video "Redlands Townhall Reel 1" under "relation". Residents of the north side of Redlands, CA meet to discuss the city government's efforts to redevelop their neighborhoods, which would potentially displace many community members from their homes. In this town hall meeting, they bring up these concerns and others.
Construction of Highway 99 in Redlands

Black and white photograph of the construction of Highway 99 along Central Ave in Redlands, California. The street is dug open with only the sidewalk and a bit of street remaining. On the right you can see Palmer Leland "Richey" Richardson's Garage. Across the street is the La Posada Hotel. Written on back: "1930's Redlands, Ghost Town, Central Ave, Redlands California looking east toward Orange St. Richey's Garage on right at sign on roof looking east toward Orange St. Palmer Leland Richardson, owner. Elton Hotel on Left. Palmer took foto." Highway 99 was once the road that is now Redlands Blvd. Highway 99 was established in 1926 as a route that ran from the Mexican border all the way to Washington state. The road was decommissioned in 1964 after the creation of the 1-10 and I-5 freeways and redesignated as Redlands Blvd.
Redlands Townhall Reel 1

Redlands city council member John Harrison holds a town hall to address concerns over redevelopment in the Northside, where two men are invited to talk about the processes of eminent domain and relocation. The community members present are largely unhappy with the prospect of redevelopment and as a result, Councilmember Harrison claims that all efforts will be paused so that the community can collectively decide on the next step. The second part of this meeting is captured in the video "Redlands Redevelopment Town Hall" which can be found under "relation".
Construction of Highway 99

Black and white photograph of the construction of Highway 99 along Central Ave in Redlands California. Written on back "17 W. Central Ave. Redlands Calif. In front of Richey's Garage on left looking west. Digging up st. to put a drainage ditch before putting Highway 99 through town on Central Ave. Looking west. Palmer Leland Richardson owner took photo." Highway 99 was once the road that is now Redlands Blvd. Highway 99 was established in 1926 as a route that ran from the Mexican border all the way to Washington state. The road was decommissioned in 1964 after the creation of the 1-10 and I-5 freeways and redesignated as Redlands Blvd.
Construction of Highway 99

Black and white photograph of the construction of Highway 99 along Central Ave in Redlands California. Written on back "17 W. Central Ave. Redlands Calif. In front of Richey's Garage on left looking west. Digging up st. to put a drainage ditch before putting Highway 99 through town on Central Ave. Looking west. Palmer Leland Richardson owner took photo." Highway 99 was once the road that is now Redlands Blvd. Highway 99 was established in 1926 as a route that ran from the Mexican border all the way to Washington state. The road was decommissioned in 1964 after the creation of the 1-10 and I-5 freeways and redesignated as Redlands Blvd.
Richey's Garage

Black and white photograph of the construction of Highway 99 along Central Ave in Redlands, California. The street is dug open with only the sidewalk and a bit of street remaining. On the right you can see Palmer Leland "Richey" Richardson's Garage. Across the street is the La Posada Hotel. Written on back: "1930's Redlands, Ghost Town, Central Ave, Redlands California looking east toward Orange St. Richey's Garage on right at sign on roof looking east toward Orange St. Palmer Leland Richardson, owner. Elton Hotel on Left. Palmer took foto." Highway 99 was once the road that is now Redlands Blvd. Highway 99 was established in 1926 as a route that ran from the Mexican border all the way to Washington state. The road was decommissioned in 1964 after the creation of the 1-10 and I-5 freeways and redesignated as Redlands Blvd.
Construction of Highway 99 in Redlands

Black and white photograph of the construction of Highway 99 along Central Ave in Redlands, California. The street is dug open with only the sidewalk and a bit of street remaining. On the right you can see Palmer Leland "Richey" Richardson's Garage. Across the street is the La Posada Hotel. Written on back: "1930's Redlands, Ghost Town, Central Ave, Redlands California looking east toward Orange St. Richey's Garage on right at sign on roof looking east toward Orange St. Palmer Leland Richardson, owner. Elton Hotel on Left. Palmer took foto." Highway 99 was once the road that is now Redlands Blvd. Highway 99 was established in 1926 as a route that ran from the Mexican border all the way to Washington state. The road was decommissioned in 1964 after the creation of the 1-10 and I-5 freeways and redesignated as Redlands Blvd.
Redlands Robert Flores Family incl. Cathie Chavez

The interviews discuss how the commercial industry has had a major effect on the community of Redlands. Interviewees discuss the feeling of the community toward development as they feel the rapid industrialization of Redlands has caused an increase in traffic, an increase in large industrial buildings, and many people from other cities such as Los Angeles moving into the community due to the affordable housing. While discussing these issues the Olmstead Plan and the Olmsted Brothers public projects in Redlands are mentioned. The interview is centered around the rapid industrialization of Redlands and its current issues and long-term issues that will arise because of it.
Redlands Redevelopment Reel 205 1st Meeting

The video begins with images of the Bloomington Garage and a discussion with its owner about the space, he is excited to begin using the space as a community meeting place. Then, there is a video of a community meeting led by Antonio Vasquez to discuss the plans for redevelopment in north Redlands, specifically on and around Lugonia Ave. Community members are upset by these redevelopment plans as it creates a potential for them to be forced out of their homes, but there is some disagreement among residents.
Redlands Redevelopment 1st Community Meeting

A community meeting is held to discuss redevelopment in certain areas of Redlands, where City Council Member John Harrison is present to explain the process and answer questions. Many community members are deeply upset by the prospect of being forced out of their homes and have many questions about the complex legal processes of redevelopment. Some residents claim that they have already been approached by developers interested in buying their homes and are angry about the fact that the city has gone forward making the redevelopment plans without consulting them first.
Redlands Redevelopment Community Meetings

A group of concerned community members in Redlands meet to discuss their fears of redevelopment in their neighborhoods. They discuss the next steps to take to protect their houses and community parks, stressing the importance of staying united as a community so that they can be successful.
Redlands Cathie Chavez, Pat Chavez, and Rosemary Chavez

The interview starts off with the past of the area and a background into the Chavez family and their experience within the community during its rapid growth and the importance of having involvement within the community. It then transitions into how the city of Redlands went from having vast amounts of orchid fields to having large amounts of commercial, retail, and warehouses. Which would bring in more traffic into the city drastically affecting the air quality for the residents living there. Rosemary was a long-time resident of Redlands her grandfather lived here since the 1800s and talks about the close relationship the community has with one another. The interview covers issues brought up from the development of the I- 10 leading to the expansion of Redlands and environmental issues brought out from it.
Redlands Mexican Drum and Bugel Corps

The Redlands Mexican Drum and Bugel Corps, founded by drummer Leopoldo Gonzalez and bugler Manuel Manzanales, poses in front of the Manzano family home on Tribune Street in the late 1920s. Tom Manzano, shown in back holding the flag, recalled that his parents let the group drill on their property. Other musicians in the group were Joe Delgado, Sam and Nick Coyazo, and members of the Manzano family. Often accompanied by a 60-piece boys marching band, the group performed and competed in venues across Southern California. Sponsored by the Mexican American social clubs El Junto Patriotico and the Alianza Hispano Americana, the corps played popular and patriotic sons from the United States and Mexico. According to cornet player Howard "Joe" Herrera (fourth from left), the group would be featured frequently at Mexican celebrations like Dos de Abril and Cinco de Mayo. He recalled,. "We would come marching in playing Zacatecas or some other song like that and people would go crazy."
The Redlands Mexican Drum and Bugel Corps, in the late 1920s

A black and white wide shot photograph of the Mexican Drum and Bugel Corps performing as they march down Colton Avenue in Redlands during the Dos de Abril festivities in the late 1920s. The band was sponsored by Mexican patriotic and fraternal organizations.
Aerial Photograph of the Redlands Valley

Aerial view of the Redlands Valley showing the 1-10 freeway, the city of Redlands and the San Bernardino Mountains including Mount San Gorgonio. Most likely taken in the 1960s.
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."
Postcard of Redlands, California

A color postcard of Redlands, California, reading "Snow capped San Bernardino Peak as seen from Orange and Colton Avenues." The picture also shows Winn's Drug Store, a fixture in the neighborhood. From its beginnings in the 1930s, the store had a soda fountain and grill that attracted people from all over for its pie, milkshakes, and local gossip. By the time the photograph on the postcard was taken, the freeway had created a permanent barrier between the north and south sides and made the imaginary line separating the town all too concrete and real.
Construction of Highway 99

Black and white photograph of the construction of Highway 99 along Central Ave in Redlands California. Written on back "17 W. Central Ave. Redlands Calif. In front of Richey's Garage on left looking west. Digging up st. to put a drainage ditch before putting hwy 99 through town on Central Ave. Looking west. Palmer Leland Richardson owner took foto." Highway 99 was once the road that is now Redlands Blvd. Highway 99 was established in 1926 as a route that ran from the Mexican border all the way to Washington state. The road was decomissioned in 1964 after the creation of the 1-10 and I-5 freeways and redesignated as Redlands Blvd.
Bob Romero

A portrait of Bob Romero. Bob Romero was part of the extended Romero family that migrated to Redlands at the turn of the century. Bob Romero's father, Abran "Abe" Romero, was a founding member of the Divine Savior Church. A past president of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, Bob served in the military and worked for many years as an advertising sales manager for the Redlands Daily Facts. On the front is written "To Holey and Romano with love Bob" written on the back, "Bob Romero - Uncle Abe's Son. Former advertising and Redlands Facts President Redlands Chamber of Commerce of - now self-employed."
Louis and Mae Lubinsky, University of Redlands

The interview starts off with Louis and Mae Lubinsky talking about their past history and their family's history. The interview shows the development of the area through the perspectives of Louis and Mae mainly centering around Louis since his family resided in the area throughout the majority of his life. Louis was born October 11th, 1914 in Chicago Illinois and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1915. During this time his father had established a locksmith shop in Los Angeles. Then in 1923, his family moved to Yucaipa to which his father bought an apple orchid as it was something his father was now interested in. Then a year or two later they moved to Redlands and then in 1924 or 1925 moved to San Bernardino staying there till 1932 when they moved back to Redlands. Then 1935 his father bought a property in Loma Linda. The interview then goes towards Mae who was born in 1914 in New York City till 1920 when her family moved to Rochester, New York. During World War II she worked in a factory owned by the Navy making munitions /“sight finders for bombers” in Rochester. In 1943 she came to the Loma Linda area where she met Louis who was currently in the Army. Louis started off in field artillery till his battalion shifted into a tank destroyer battalion. He then went overseas to Germany and then was transferred into a government service unit that enforce rule over the Germans at the end of the war. When the war ended in Japan his service ended as well. The interview then shifts towards the past of the area which Louis talks about how his father owned apple orchids when the prices of apples completely collapsed due to the orchids growing up in the mountains above Yucaipa were growing better and were better. His father then established a hardware store in 1923 where burrows appliance currently is near State and 5th for two years till they established a similar business in San Bernardino. He lived there till 1933 when he finished high school. Then moving to Loma Linda in 1935. The freeway then came by with the construction was near his home which he wasn’t specific about the date but in 1962 moved back to Redlands till the current time of the interview. They stayed in the business similar to his fathers till 1980. They then begin to talk about the multiple names his current location has had “Ocean to Ocean Highway”, “Highway 99”, “Colton Ave”, and then “Redlands Blvd”.
Redlands Head Start

Black and white image of Redlands' first Head Start preschool in 1968. From left to right: Carlos Ojeda, Bobby Gonzales, and an unidentified University of Redlands student work together to assemble a playset.
Christine Roque Oral History

In this interview conducted by Audrey Maier, inquiries Christine Roque about her knowledge regarding her family’s history with the Citrus Industry and goes into depth about her personal experiences in advocating for her community in Redlands about the construction of warehouses and the fight against the building of a Super Walmart. Christine Roque details her memories of when her father and brothers worked in the Citrus Industry. She briefly mentions the role her father was promoted to and describes what his position entailed. The interview then transitions into a conversation about the beginnings of her involvement in her community and what that involvement looks like. Christine Roque mentions the different groups she was in attempts to push back on general plans and to advocate for equity for all of the different parts of Redlands. Lastly, the interview ends with a conversation about the negative effects of warehouses on people and the community and restates the negative impacts of the Citrus Industry.
1910 Class Picture of Lincoln School in Redlands, California

Black and white class photograph of Lincoln School in Redlands, California. "Lincoln School in 1910 was officially segregated, but in Redlands, children from the Mexican colonia went to Lincoln, Lugonia, and Franklin Elementary, mixing with children of other ethnicities from their neighborhoods." (Vasquez and Carpio, 44)
Aerial Photograph of the Redlands Valley

Aerial view of the Redlands Valley showing the 1-10 freeway, the city of Redlands and the San Bernardino Mountains including Mount San Gorgonio. Most likely taken in the 1960s.