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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.
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Black and white photograph of Palmer Leland "Richey" Richarson's garage, Richey's Garage. His daughter Rita Richardson recalls the garage "Dad's garage was 24 hours. When he wasn't there, my two brothers were there, Mateo Guzman and Leland Richardson. They would kind of let dad have some rest while he went home to eat and sleep, or he slept right there in the garage many times too. But being 24 hours it was miserable. He got all of the accidents from all over the area. He had a great Maxwell touring car that was a tow truck." (Vasquez and Carpio, 40) On the back of the photograph it reads "1930's Looking So. East. Richey's Garage 17 W. Central Ave, Redlands Blvd. Richey was Palmer Leland Richardson born in S. Dakota 1885 April 8, Leland Richardson spent many sleepless nights here taking care of cars coming in from the Posada Hotel, new then."
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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.
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Black and white image of Eva Romero Villegas with nephew Donald Motgomery, a sailor during World War II. Donald graduated from the University of Redlands and went on to teach at Redlands schools.
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Black and white image of Manuel "Manny" Villegas and his wife Eva Romero. Manny was an honor educator and community advocate known throughout the Inland Empire. He was an advocate for community programing including Folklorico dancing, Scouting, and the first Spanish Club at Redlands High School.
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Black and white image of Harris Dalhberg, Ben Romero, and Frank Romero shown working at Fairbanks Ranch in the late 1950s.
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Color photograph of Concepcion (Concha) Romero standing in front of the orange groves at Fairbanks Ranch. Concepcion Romero was an active member of the Divine Savior Church and was an entreprenuer. She ran restuarants and made tamales and tortillas. Her daughter Eunice Romero (Gonzales) noted, "My mother had a restaurant right here on Colton Avenue, on Lawton and Colton. There was a gas station and then a little restaurant up on old Third Street, and then her final restaurant was on Stuart and Third Street, and they were all Romero restaurants."
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Ramon Romero, one of the founders of Divine Savior Church, sits with his granddaughter Esther Romero at 1140 Ohio Street in the 1920s. The Romero family lived on the same street for over 100 years. Another granddaughter, Ramona Romero Dalhberg wrote a letter stating, "My grandfather used to have a horse named Jack and a cart and on Sunday mornings they would hold church meetings on street corners, like Calhoun Street and Brockton and different places. Then the men got together to talk about forming a Presbyterian Church. Gavino Trevino owned property on the corner of Webster and Union, which he donated, and they drew plans for a building. The building consisted of one large room with the front door facing Webster Street. It was a very well made building with a big porch in front."
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"Eunice Romero (Gonzales) was a bilingual instructional aid in the 1970s. She recalled one of the biggest controversies ever to engulf the Northside, 'When my children started going to school, there was always this measure of prejudice, especially when they started with this business of integrating the schools. You could see the prejudice, that these people didn't want our kids from the Northside at their schools any more than we wanted theirs over her because it was a two way street'" Eunice was also active in the parent-teacher association (PTA), Divine Savior Church, and community groups in North Redlands. (Vasquez and Carpio, 46)
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Eunice Romero (Gonzales) is pictured at right as a child at Fairbanks Ranch.
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Black and white photograph of Jacinto and Concepcion Romero at Fairbanks Ranch in the early 1950s. They pose in front of some of the many orange groves comprising Fairbanks Ranch.
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Black and white photograph of Jacinto Romero and his brother-in-law Jesus Chacon (wearing hat) arriving for services at Divine Savior Church on Union Avenue in the late 1930s.
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For the 1933 play "EL Aguila" presented by the Redlands House of Neighborly Service, Abe Romero was cast as the character "El Capitan." El Capitan was the suitor of the heroine in the play. In this black and white photograph Romero is showin in costume patting the head of his young son Bob Romero. The image was taken at the family home on Ohio Street.
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For the 1933 play "EL Aguila" presented by the Redlands House of Neighborly Service, Abe Romero was cast as the character "El Capitan." El Capitan was the suitor of the heroine in the play. In this black and white photograph Romero is shown in costume at the family home on Ohio Street. On the back is written "This is my first effort."
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"Ramon Romero, one of the founders of Divine Savior Church, sits with his granddaughter Esther Romero at 1140 Ohio Street in the 120s. The Romero family lived on the same street for over 100 years. Another granddaughter, Ramona Romero Dalhberg wrote a letter stating, 'My grandfather used to have a horse named Jack and a cart and on Sunday mornings they would hold church meetings on street corners, like Calhoun Street and Brockton and different places. Then the men got together to talk about forming a Presbyterian Church. Gavino Trevino owned property on the corner of Webster and Union, which he donated, and they drew plans for a building. The building consisted of one large room with the front door facing Webster Street. It was a very well made building with a big porch in front.'" (Vasquez and Carpio, 31)
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Concepcion Romero and her brother, Jesus Chacon, leaving services at Divine Savior Church. Concepcion wears a coat with flowers and holds her purse under her arm. Jesus wears a trench coat and a hat which is pulled low over his face in the image.
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Abraham "Abe" Romero stands in front of an orange grove, he has glasses wears a suit and tie, in the back is a trailer with some orange crates. On the back is writen: "November 19, 1945 Uncle Abe worked for Gordon Doueed?? for many years then worked at Norton Base during War II. Church Elder of Divine Savior Church Parish."
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Photograph of a man sitting on the back of a bench in front of a pool. He is wearing short swin trunks. Written on the back of the photograph: "[illegible] (Babe) It was cloudy that day. This picture was developed by my buddy."
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Black and white photograph of twenty two members of the Romero Family at Mary Romero's home on Ohio Street Redlands. The back of the photo indicates it was taken in 1951 or 52 on Thanksgiving day. All members of the family sit or stand on the porch of the house. Rafael Gonzalez is pictured standing in the center holding his infant daughter Christina. Among the younger women and children in the photograph are Joe and Concepcion Romero's daughters and grandchildren.
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Eunice Romero (Gonzales) receives a degree from the University of La Verne in 1978. After raising a family, working as a laborer, and serving as a classroom aid in Redlands schools, Gonzales returned to college and earned a teaching credential.Years after retiring from the San Bernardino Unified School District, she recalled, "I didn't graduate from high school and well, I was like about 50 years old when a program was started through La Verne Colleges for bilingual educators, and I was lucky enough to know both languages fluently. So, I was able to participate in the program, which was - the acronym was SABER - and then I finished my college and I went into teaching."
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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."
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This letter, dated March 12, 1978 is from the Sunday Concerned Group. The Sunday Concerned Group, also known as the Menudo Club was a civil rights coordinating committee based at Impact Presbyterian Church. This letter offers their congratulations to Oddie Martinez on his election to Redlands City Council. Martinez later became mayor of Redlands. The letter reads: "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you for your successful campaign to gain a seat on the Redlands city council. I belive the people of Redlands made it clear that they want people of high ideals and willingness to serve the community on the city council. In you, they found such an individual. Throughout your career, you have demonstrated the attributes of the finest leadership. Your involvement in social and civic groups further shows how concerned you are with bettering the community. Once again, congratulations! We look forward to working with you in the coming months. Sincerly yours, Augie Medina."
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A colorful pamphlet titled "Festival Mexico" a part of Disneyland's celebration of its 25th anniversary in 1980. The festival took place on November 15th and 16th. The green, white and red document includes a bilingual calendar of events listing all of the many performances given. St. Mary's is listed as "St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico de Redlands" and performed at 11:15 AM at the Small World Mall in Fantasyland.
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A letter dated May 1, 1978 re-confirming that St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico is set to perform at the Busch Bird Sanctuary. The letter reads "Dear Mrs. Cortez, This letter will re-confirm your commitment to perform at The Strand Theater located at the Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Busch Bird Sanctuary, Van Nuys, CA, on the following date and time: Sunday, May 7, 1978 Between 2:P.M.-4:P.M We are anxiously looking forward to Saint Mary's participation in the Cinco De Mayo Celebration. Enclosed is a brochure with a map, for your convenience. See you Sunday! Ruben C. Ramirez, Region Representative, Region IV." The letter is on an Anheuser-Busch letter head. St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico was established at the behest of parents by Petra Lopez, Mary L. Hernandez, Juan Jose Ruiz de la Torre, and Jose Pepe Roa in 1974. Originally the group was supported by St Mary's Catholic Church but later relocated to Orangewood High School. Since 1974 the group has performed across Southern California.
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An award presented to St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico for their participation in the Southern California Exposition in July of 1978. The "Southern California Exposition" is more commonly known as the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar. The certificate reads "Citation for Meritorious Service. The Board of Directors by Proclamation presents this Certificate of Appreciation to St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico as an expression of lasting gratitude for your invaluable assistance at the Southern California Exposition signed this 5th day of July 1978." Signed by the president R.R. Richards and the secretary. St. Mary's Ballet Folklorico was established at the behest of parents by Petra Lopez, Mary L. Hernandez, Juan Jose Ruiz de la Torre, and Jose Pepe Roa in 1974. Originally the group was supported by St Mary's Catholic Church but later relocated to Orangewood High School. Since 1974 the group has performed across Southern California.