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People gathered on a street watching a parade

A group of people gathered around the sidewalk of a street block, watching a man dressed in a sombrero and pantalon charro on a horse walking along the street. It is a sunny day as some of the people have hats, sunglasses, and are shielding their eyes from the sun with their hands.The onlookers are standing in front of buildings including some with the signs "Nevada Hotel" and "Lovely Lady." There could be a celebration or cultural parade happening.
Richard Rubio Interview

Richard Rubio discusses his family history and upbringing; his grandparents were displaced by the Mexican Revolution and fled to the United States. From there, they became involved with the citrus industry from a more administrative level, given their upper-class Mexican background and coinciding education. He discusses numerous odd-end jobs his family pursued throughout mainly California, while occasionally touching upon the controversial politics surrounding the Bracero Program of the 1930s. Rubio's interview provides a good description of the Bracero camp amenities, rules, varying conditions or camps around California, and the apparel of those arriving at the camp.
Women Working in a Packing House Calendar Photo

Mary Bermudez and friends working in a citrus packing house. They are standing in front of a conveyor belt laden with citrus and behind them are boxes stacked high to the ceiling. All of them are wearing semi-formal and casual dress attire. This image is featured in the 2008 Riverside County Mexican American Historical Society Calendar. See “relation” to learn more.
Simona Valera Posing in Front of House

Simona Valera stands in front of a house with sunglasses on and her hands in her pockets. The window of the house is photographed and plants are growing by the house.
Tony Campos Jr Dancing with Woman

Tony "Blackie" Campos Jr. and a black woman dressed in formal wear dancing together at a formal event/party with two other guests in the background of the photo. The middle of the photo has a horizontal green reflection line. Photo is in color.
2010 Calendar page 8, August

A calendar cover page for August/ Agosto 2010 presents six pictures of soldiers from the Inland Empire who served in different branches during WWII. This is continuing from the two calendar pages before this one in the calendar for June and July. Each image is captioned with the soldier's name, their military branch, and where they were from. Pictured left to right: Chito Marquez, a WWII Army veteran of Casa Blanca. Juan C. Valdez, a WWII Army veteran of Casa Blanca. Frank Marquez, a WWII Army veteran of Casa Blanca. The Garcia brothers, Raul and Alfred, WWII Army veterans of Casa Blanca. John Marquez, a WWII Marine veteran of Casa Blanca. Philip Castro, a WWII Army veteran of Casa Blanca.
2010 Calendar page 4, April

A calendar cover page for April/ Abril 2010 calendar cover presents one photo of the Diaz family of 7, of which 4 were women and 2 were men who served in the Army during WWI. They are from Casa Blanca, California. The family portrait is in black and white, presumably from days serving under the Navy during WWI (1914-1918). The photo description on the bottom left corner reads "The Diaz family from Arizona settled in the community of Casa Blanca. Brothers Isidro and Barney Diaz served in the United States Army during WWI."
2010 Calendar page 3, March

A calendar cover page for March/Marzo 2010 presents photos of Ysmael Villegas, a WWII Army veteran originally from Casa Blanca, California. The 6 photos are in black and white, presumably from his days serving under the navy during WWII (1939-1945). There is a photo of his Army portrait, his medal with the caption reading "Dedication: His courage will always be and inspiration to all for he is our hometown hero, who left us so long ago," his gravestone and burial, a certificate of recognition under the county of Riverside from Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge on March 21st, 2004 stating "STAFF SERGEANT YSMAEL VILLEGAS DAY shall be recognized annually on March 21st in the City of Riverside, and on behalf of all our citizens, do hereby pay tribute to the bravery and spirit of Ysmael Villegas and all that it represents to the City and to our country," and of the Ysmael R. Villegas Middle School from present day. The memorial description of his wartime life at the top center reads, "SMILEY'S BRAVERY On March 20, 1945 his unit was in a forward position when they clashed with a strongly entrenched unit of the Japanese Army. Moving from man to man, while under scathing and direct fire, he encouraged his men to drive forward. Smiley took the initiative himself and in a rapid succession made direct frontal attacks on six fox holes containing Japanese gunners. He killed the occupants of the first five holes and was on his way to the sixth when a hail of enemy bullets killed him. Inspired by his gallantry, his men gained the crest of the heavily defended hill and swept the Japanese from the field. U.S. Army tersely-worded report."
2009 Calendar Page 25, Month of December

A white, generic calendar page for the month of December, 2009. The month is spelled out at the top in both English and Spanish. The first day of Chanukah and Christmas day are noted on the eleventh and twenty fifth respectively. Two advertisements are featured on the bottom of the page in rectangular cutouts, one for a restaurant named Taco Station and one for the Preston and Simons Mortuary, both on Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside, California. The advertisement for Taco Station features the Taco Station's logo, a badge emblem.
2009 Calendar Page 21, Month of October

A white, generic calendar page for the month of October, 2009. The month is spelled out at the top in both English and Spanish. The federal holiday of Columbus day is demarcated on the twelfth of October and the holiday of Halloween is demarcated on the thirty first of October. The end of Mexican Heritage Month is noted on the fifteenth of the month. Two advertisements are featured on the bottom of the page in rectangular cutouts, one for a restaurant named Leon's Mexican Food on Evan's Street and one for a printing and copying center named Clone Copy on Arlington Avenue in Riverside California. The advertisement for Leon's Mexican Food features a graphic of a head wearing a sombrero and holding a drink and a taco. The advertisement for Clone Copy features three bunnies standing on their hind legs.
2009 Calendar Page 19, Month of September

A white, generic calendar page for the month of September, 2009. The month is spelled out at the top in both English and Spanish. The federal holiday of Labor Day is demarcated on seventh of September. The beginning of Mexican Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day are demarcated on the fifteenth and sixteenth of September respectively. The Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are demarcated on the eighteenth and twenty seventh of September respectively. Two advertisements are featured on the bottom of the page in rectangular cutouts, one for MDS Transcription Service on Ironwood Drive in Riverside California and one for State Farm, an insurance company. The advertisement for State Farm also notes a specific state farm agent, Yolanda Vasquez-Meier, in Colton, California. Both advertisements feature the logo of each company.
2009 Calendar Page 18 - Abbie Chavez Orchestra

A picture of Abigail Chavez and his Latin American band, "Abbie Chavez Orchestra" in radio room. The six members featured pose with their respective instruments. A piano fills one side of the picture and there seems to be a barrier between the orchestra and the camera. The inscription below the photograph reads "Abbie Chavez, from West Riverside, and his five piece orchestra in the 1940's on the KPO radio show at El Sombrero. Photo courtesy of Mario Chavez."
2009 Calendar Page 17, Month of August

A white, generic calendar page for the month of August, 2009. The month is spelled out at the top in both English and Spanish. No federal holidays are listed. Two advertisements are featured on the bottom of the page in rectangular cutouts, one for a tow service on Cridge Street named Double Towing and one for a restaurant named Zacatecas Cafe on University Avenue, both in Riverside, California. The advertisement for Double Towing features a picture of a contemporary tow truck. The advertisement for Zacatecas Cafe features a graphic of a man waving a red cloth at a bull.
2009 Calendar Page 15, Month of July

A white, generic calendar page for the month of July, 2009. The month is spelled out at the top in both English and Spanish and the federal holiday of Independence Day is demarcated on the fourth of July. Two advertisements are featured on the bottom of the page in rectangular cutouts, one for a Barber named Century Barbers and Stylists on Magnolia avenue and one for Daniel Castro, a bail bond agent on 14th street, both in Riverside, California.
Mexican-American WWI U.S. Soldier Calendar Photo

Black and white photo of Private Isidro S. Diaz, born in Tucson, Arizona in 1892, settled in Casa Blanca, and served in the U.S. Army during World War I. He stands posing with his rifle in front of tents for this photograph. This image is featured in the 2008 Riverside County Mexican American Historical Society Calendar. See “relation” to learn more.
San Bernardino Girl's Night Out Calendar Photo

Three women preparing for Covered Wagon Day in San Bernardino in 1947. In the photo are Ramona and Rosie Hernandez, who are sisters along with their sister-in-law, Lillie Zaragoza Hernandez. They are dressed up in formal attire, makeup, and jewelry. The photo was processed by Gonzalez Studio. This image is featured in the 2008 Riverside County Mexican American Historical Society Calendar. See “relation” to learn more.
Men at the Doll House in Palm Springs

This Photo depicts 5 men congregated around an outdoor table smiling. They are all Hispanic and dressed in suits. The restaurant they are seated in front of is called The Doll House and is located in Palm Springs, Riverside County, CA.
2008 Calendar Page 23, Month of November

A November calendar page featuring Veterans Day. The title is also written in Spanish (Noviembre). There are two ads at the bottom of the page: one features a wedding picture and a short inscription memorializing the passing of Angel and Mercedes Martines by Rachel Martinez Donis on the right. The other is a phone number and address for the Riverside County Mexican American Historical Society on the left. The calendar text reads "In loving memory of my parents, Angel and Mercedes Martinez. With love, Rachel Martinez Donis."
2008 Calendar Page 16, Hemet Apricot Pickers

Group photo of members of the Venegas, Lozano, and Vasquez Families from the Riverside Eastside neighborhood. They stand posing with their daughters and sons for a photo in Hemet during the apricot season. The photo includes men, women, teens, and very young children as well, they sit and stand on and around wooden crates. The calendar text reads "Early 1940s-Members of the Venegas, Lozano, and Vasquez Families from the E-side community, working in Hemet during the apricot season. Photo courtesy of Manuel Venegas."
2008 Calendar Page 5, Month of February

This February calendar page features a traditionally Catholic religious holiday, in additional to other federal holidays, demarcated on its individual dates; among them is ash Wednesday. The title is also written in Spanish. There are two ads: one features a wedding picture and short inscription memorializing the passing of Angel and Mercedes Martinez by Rachel Martinez Donis. The other is a phone number for the Riverside County Mexican American Historical Society. Calendar text reads "In loving memory of my parent, Angel and Mercedes Martinez. With love, Rachel Martinez Donis."
Peter Martinez with friends, Robert Magana and Reyes S.B. Hernandez at Camp Zama

The written description on the back of the photo states, "Here's another picture Honey there are not as good but you can see my pals. The guy standing is from San Berdoo and the other one from Riverside. Maybe you know them. Robert Magana? Riverside Reyes S.B. Hernandez." This photograph demonstrates how Mexican American men serving in the U.S. military found and made communites while serving overseas.
Marion Ashley Moreno Valley Riverside County District 5 Supervisor 1

Marion Ashley discusses the development and changes occurring in Moreno Valley from his perspective as a Supervisor. He indicates that despite Moreno Valley being rural its been experiencing rapid change through urbanization that is affecting certain groups of people drastically. Increasingly, th city is experiencing a struggle between people who are in favor of change and people who aren’t. Which is easily seen throughout the many communities in Moreno Valley. Ashely highlights the importance of community engagement in the city to figure out and understand the needs of the community and how can the city fulfill those needs through reasonable accommodations that can prosper alongside the growth of the city.
Tom Mazzetti Interview

Interview with Tom Manzetti at the Blue Banner Packinghouse in Riverside. Manzetti the owner of National Oranger, discusses his life in Riverside and work in the citrus industry, focusing particularly on the details of Sunkist and citrus cooperatives.
Benita Ramsey Home Grown Heroes Full Interview

This is an oral history interview with Reverend Benita Ramsey conducted on January 10, 2024. This interview covers Benita's childhood in Liberty City (a suburb in Miami, FL), her religious upbringing, her educational journey through law school at the University of Miami School of Law, and her continued involvement in LGBTQ advocacy and community work as a minister to the Unity Fellowship Church, based out of Riverside, California.
Gabriel Maldonado Homegrown Heroes Full Interview

This is an oral history interview with Gabriel Maldonado conducted on April 4, 2024. In this interview, Gabriel shares his life story starting with his childhood as a bi-racial African American and Latino boy in Compton, CA. He emphasizes his work as an LGBTQ+ advocate in the Inland Empire, his connection to Riverside and the community he's built, and all the moments that led him to become an activist. He also emphasizes his role as the CEO of TruEvolution, an organization based out of the IE that is dedicated to fighting for health equity and racial justice. Maldonado mentions his work in spreading HIV awareness through his work both in the community and on the Advisory Council on HIV/AIDs for the Obama administration.