Calexico history book to be published this fall

News 11's Vanessa Gongora spoke with one of the authors of upcoming book

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Calexico's first history book will be published this fall by Mexicali authors.

The Calexico Arts Council put out the endeavor to get a book written about the history of Calexico, which will now be a series of books.

They took it to the board, who then approved the request unanimously. The Calexico Arts Council sent out a call for authors through the media, then selected two authors from the five proposals received.

They chose two authors from Mexicali, chronicler Yolanda Sanchez and historian Francisco Flores based on their experience with writing and their knowledge of the city.

Carmen Durazo, President of Calexico Arts Council, says the book will be multi-cultural, focusing on the different ethnic groups who make up the city.

"It's for the public to learn about their roots, their city and be proud of it," Durazo said.

The 150-page bilingual book will cover the early 1900s to the 1920s.

The book will also consist of pictures, drawings and maps from the early 1900s in Calexico.

Sanchez believes history should be constant in our lives for us to not make the same mistakes as the past.

“I think for every community it's important to know their history. We want the current residents to commit themselves to learn about the people that came before them that worked hard to give us what we now have," Sanchez said in Spanish.

Sanchez and Flores are currently in the research phase and will be turning in the first part of the book in two months.

The Calexico Arts Council asks if you have any historical narratives or artifacts that you would like to share and have recorded for the upcoming book, please contact Carmen Durazo at carmendurazo1@yahoo.com.