CAM Day to Celebrate City Legacy

The Colton City Council has declared this May 3rd, and the following first Saturdays of May for the years to come, Colton Area Museum (CAM) Day. CAM was established in July 11, 1986 at 380 N. La Cadena Drive, the old Public Library location, and opened in 1991 as Colton's first permanent historical museum and cultural center. In a city so in touch with its historical roots, CAM is credited as being the anchor for the community of Colton's pride and awareness. CAM highlights the history of Colton City, including the Earp family, who has important roots in the city, and whose member Virgil Earp was Colton's first sheriff. A picture of Earp's home, which still exists nearby on 8th street, hangs in the museum. "Recognizing the importance of maintaining a well-documented record of Colton’s rich history and culture, the City of Colton, hereby, recognizes the Colton Area Museum," read the proclamation, as the City of Colton recognized the CAM Board of Directors, the Museum Association, and the City's Public Works Department for their work with CAM. "This is an important event," Dr. G shared, "the holiday will bring awareness to the richness of our history, legacy and heritage as the city of Colton." The event this year will feature local artists Erick Martinez and Liz Jasso, music by the Colton High School Jazz Band and Dr. G, and food. A full collection of all of Colton High School's year books will be displayed, along with a vintage fire truck that was used in the years after 1920. In addition to highlighting CAM, the event will shine a light on 14 living World War II veterans that are currently living in Colton. Dr. G will have a published book available starting the morning of the event, which goes through the stories of each of these WWII veterans. The book will be sold to raise money for CAM, and the WWII spotlight will allow the community to meet and talk to local WWII heroes, and have their books signed by the veterans who are featured in its pages. Speaking on the work it took to get the holiday recognized, Dr. G talked about the days of research, interviews, and meeting with different sectors of the community. "What started out as an encounter with local veterans, turned into a book about those veterans, and then into a proclamation, and it all culminates to this event," Dr. G. shared. "The event will be spectacular on two counts," Dr. G continued, "the historical value, and the collaboration between so many people and sectors of the community. This is what I like to see."