LAURA JANE KENNY | staff writer
courtesy | ARCADIA PUBLISHING


“Images of America,” a series that highlights the history of American cities, has recently published a new book with Arcadia Publishing: Azusa.

“I think it’s interesting that Azusa has such a diversified culture and background,” freshman English Literature and Christian Ministries double major Ariel Bartlett said.

The book includes pictures and a historical timeline from the 1870’s to the 1950’s.

“I never realized there was so much history to our unique town,” freshman undeclared major Amanda Kretzmann said.

“Every place has a history to it,” acquisitions editor Jerry Roberts said.

There are over 250 books in the “Images of America” series, featuring different cities, towns, and communities in America. Other books in this series include Pasadena, South Pasadena and Glendora.

Jeffery Cornejo Jr., author of Azusa, President of the Azusa Historical Society, and Chairman of the Azusa Preservation Commission, was born and raised in the city. He currently works at Monrovia Growers Nursery and helps in their archiving section.

“I learned a lot. It was very interesting...but it was a lot of work,” Cornejo said.

“I am surprised someone would actually take the time to write about little Azusa,” Starbucks employee Elizabeth Sanchez said.

The book took Cornejo about year to write. He has always loved history and described writing the book as a labor of love. He followed his grandfather’s motto, “You don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.”

Due to the books being focused around pictures, Arcadia Publishing chooses cities that have numerous pictures throughout history. When first asked to write the book in 2004, Cornejo declined due to lack of availability. He did, however, start to collect pictures, making research easier when he agreed to write the book in 2005.

This is Cornejo’s first book and there is a possibility of a second Azusa book for the “Images of America” series featuring the city’s history from the 1950’s to present day.

“I have always been extremely proud to live in Azusa. I am happy that [the book] has been accepted very well in the community,” Cornejo said.

“It makes me feel like a proud student and gives me more respect for the town of Azusa,” freshman Business major Tyler Martin said.