Last week, the Colton Area Museum Association was thrilled to receive a donation of three Colton High School yearbooks (2022, 2023, 2024) to add to their highly-acclaimed collection of CHS yearbooks which is housed in the former Carnegie Library Building.
Earlier this year, DrG communicated with Dr. Frank Miranda, Supt. of the Colton Joint Unified School District, to ask for his help in acquiring the three yearbooks, which would essentially keep the valued collection alive and up-to-date. After working with staff, the Superintendent’s office contacted Dr.G saying the three books have been acquired and arrangements were promptly made to present them to the museum for a formal presentation. Dr Miranda commented, “It’s an honor to donate these yearbooks to the Colton Area Museum for the purpose of preserving the rich history and memories of our students for generations to come.”
In 2012, Dr.G a museum life member and the primary collector and curator of the yearbooks had become interested in the yearbooks. He soon set out to find as many “missing” books as possible with the goal of completing, or nearly completing if possible, the entire collection. Now going on eleven years, Dr.G has tracked down 51 of the yearbooks, and continues to maintain the collection so that the entire set is basically complete, minus two missing yearbooks (1913 and 1924) which may never be found. “There’s always a chance,” expressed Angela Wilkinson one of the CAM Board members who has been very enthusiastic about the yearbook collection.
According to our records, the first yearbook that was printed was 1902, and interestingly, there is a gap between 1915 and 1922 when materials were scarce mostly due to WWI. Other than those missing editions, the collection is practically complete, and the CAM has made plans to display the entire collection at the museum for the next two weeks. This represents a period of 123 years and records the activities of students, teachers and activities of those who were of the Colton High School scene for many years. Mr. Oscar Toastado, President of the CAMA, went on to explain, “This collection represents a huge part of Colton History.”
In the meantime, every members of the Colton community can join with the Colton Area Museum Association in celebration of the new additions, and can proudly make-known that the CHS Yearbook collection is a one-of-a-kind local asset. Community residents and visitors alike are invited to visit the museum, and see the entire CHS yearbook collection, as well as other interesting displays, this weekend and in the near future. The Colton Area Museum is open every Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The community members are also encouraged to mark their calendars for May 3, as we celebrate our 12th Annual Colton Area Museum Day.
For more information about CITY TALK, Council of Churches, sermon topics, Bible briefs, Youth Council, various community groups, Colton history, the trash clean-up project, the G-Team, prayer list, history briefs, Veteran Spotlight, Church Spotlight, Business Spotlight, U.S. Flag Watch, fountains, holiday scenes, neighborhood meetings, community projects and events, or the online live-stream programs, text Dr.G @ 909-213-3730. Questions and comments are always welcome.