The story of Redlands’ past is being told in photos through a display, that hangs in the Redlands City Council Chambers, commemorating the city’s 125th anniversary.
The display includes archival photos of past anniversary celebrations, provided by the Heritage Room Archives at the A.K. Smiley Public Library.
Former archivist Don McCue, recently named as the director of the Smiley Library, and current archivist Nathan Gonzales assisted in locating historic photos from the City’s 100th, 75th, 60th and 50th anniversary celebrations, said Carl Baker, Redlands City spokesman.
Local photographer Stephen Wormser also created a collection of photos featuring past and current members of the Redlands City Council and Redlands Unified School District Board of Education, past presidents of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce and current members of the Redlands Police and Fire Departments, Baker said. The Fire Department photo recreates a historic pose of department members and apparatus taken from overhead at the intersection of Cajon and Vine streets.
“Another photo features the five current members of the City Council, who will serve during the anniversary year, culminating in November,” Baker said. “Mayor Pro Tem Paul Foster chairs the 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee.”
The city incorporated in November 1888. A yearlong celebration kicked off on Dec. 1 with the Redlands Christmas Parade, sponsored by the City and the Kiwanis Club of Redlands, Baker said. Additional events are being planned throughout the year.
“No General Fund money has been allocated for the celebration,” Baker said. All funds will come from donations, fundraising efforts and revenue from the sale of sponsorships and commemorative merchandise, he said.
Donations of $10,000 each have been received from the (noon) Kiwanis Club of Redlands, the University of Redlands and Kaiser-Permanente. Donations of $5,000 were also received from the Rotary Clubs of Redlands and American Medical Response.
City officials ask anyone or groups interested in participating as a sponsor of the 125th Anniversary celebration may contact Tommi Ng at (909) 798-7514, ext. 4 or email tng@cityofredlands.org.
