New book written by two local authors captures the history of Chula Vista in photos

Date Added: April 20, 2008
Story By: Kurt Bunch

Chula Vista has plenty of history. If you have ever had the chance to visit the local libraries and museums in both Chula Vista and Bonita, then you have no doubt seen the history this great community has. Even as you stroll along Third Ave you can see the history in the buildings. From its late 1800’s to today, Chula Vista has grown into a vibrant community and a new book looks to capture that history.

A new book hits stores on April 21st that gives everyone a chance to see the history of Chula Vista, Bonita and some of the surrounding Southbay communities with historical photos. Written by two local authors, Frank M. Roseman & Peter J. Watry Jr., Images of Chula Vista has a collection of over 200 historical pictures. Each photo gives you a little insight as to what Chula Vista was when it first began to build as a community in the late 1800s. From photos of Lemon Groves, that once covered most of the land to the impact that Rhor Industries had on the community during World War 2. The photos are from both public and private collections and really give you a pictorial stroll back in time.

The book began over 10 years ago when Frank M. Roseman, a Chula Vista super volunteer, was asked by the library director to develop the Chula Vista Heritage Museum in a small building in Memorial Park. For the next ten years, Frank worked thousands of hours to collect, catalog, archive, and display the history of Chula Vista. Donna Golden, a Chula Vista Public Library local history librarian, is the curator of the city’s photograph collection and was instrumental to the completion of this book. Peter J. Watry Jr. is an active member in the Chula Vista Heritage Museum, has edited the museum’s newsletter, and enjoys presenting the history of Chula Vista to schoolchildren and others.

If you would like to pick up a copy of Images of Chula Vista, then on Monday April 28th you can purchase the book and meet both authors Frank M. Roseman & Peter J. Watry Jr. The Chula Vista Public Library on Fourth Ave. will host a book signing from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. You can buy the book there with all profits being donated to the Chula Vista heritage Museum. The book will also be available online and at local retailers.

• Amazon.com
• Arcadia Pubishing