'Mexican Americans in Redlands' Walk Tour + Book Signing Events This Week

Advance copies of "Mexican Americans in Redlands" by Antonio Gonzalez Vasquez and Genevieve Carpio have been released by Arcadia Publishing, and events are planned this week in Redlands to promote the new book.

The 128-page book contains personal photos and stories of workers and their families from decades ago, in chapters titled "Borderlines," "Bloodlines," "Lifelines," and "Timelines."

"In the early 1990s, I was approached by Dr. Larry Burgess, director of A.K. Smiley Public Library, with the idea of interviewing citrus workers about their experiences working in Redlands, the self-proclaimed 'Citrus Capital of the World,'" Vasquez says in his acknowledgements.

"The project that developed became more than a discussion of work in the groves anbd packinghouses," Vasquez says. "While citrus cultivation and citrus labor played a role in the conversations, I tried to learn more about what makes a community."

"Mexican Americans in Redlands" includes mention of immigration scares in the 1920s, racism, discrimination, and segregation in Redlands.

But the focus is on personal stories, like those of Epimenio and Jesusita Guzman, whose family settled in Redlands before it was founded in 1888, and Emiliano Beas, grandfather of Nellie Del Rio, a prominent member of the north Redlands community.

To promote the release of "Mexican Americans in Redlands," Vasquez plans to host a "Beyond the Book" walking tour in Redlands beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 14.

"The 90-minute tour will meet on the corner of Sixth Street and The Terrace traveling along Colton Avenue and the Interstate 10 Freeway, through the neighborhoods north of old Highway 99 exploring little-known histories of the Mexican American community in a entertaining and thought-provoking presentation," organizers of the tour said in a release Friday.

Tour highlights will include Redlands' first Spanish-language church built in 1913, the Wyatt Opera House site at Colton and Orange, and the House of Neighborly Service building on Lawton Street, organizers said.

Tickets for the tour are $35 and include a signed copy of "Mexican Americans in Redlands." Spaces are limited. Reservations by phone, email or text are required. For more information, email themexicanheritage@gmail.com, or call or text (760) 501-5178.

At 8:30 a.m. Thursday Aug. 16, a Coffee & Conversation with Vasquez and Carpio is scheduled at Redlands Community Senior Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave.

At 3 p.m. Thursday Aug. 16, a book release reception with the authors is scheduled at the House of Neighborly Service building, 612 Lawton St.

Both Thursday events will include a historic photo exhibit and book signings, organizers said.

For more information, email themexicanheritage@gmail.com, or call or text (760) 501-5178.

Follow Redlands-Loma Linda Patch on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for the free daily newsletter here.