With two historic pictorials of Corona already published and as the Vice President of the Corona Historic Preservation Society, it’s hard to believe that Corona history guru Mary Bryner Winn would have more to share about this fabulous city we call home.  Yet, in 2012 Winn will have her third book published by Arcadia Publishing titled, Then & Now: Corona.  Then & Now: Corona is a pictorial history that, as the title suggests, will contrast how a specific location looked in Corona’s past, and what’s there today.  After hearing about this book back in September I was excited to learn more about the project and get Winn’s insight on what to expect. She was kind enough to answer our questions, and share about her experience with her third book.

The new book you are working on is called “Then & Now: Corona” and it will explore locations throughout the city as they appeared in the past and how they look now.  Have you come across any imagery in your research that has totally astounded you, or has much of the imagery been seen before?

I don’t believe that I have been astounded, but I have indeed been amazed at how generous members of our community and former members of our community have been in sharing their photographs with me.  I have also been somewhat disappointed that some folks have declined to share their historic photographs.  With vigorous networking with others, I have made every effort to include images not previously published.  But, there are a few previously published photographs that had to be included because contrasting photographs seemed to contribute so much to Corona’s historical context.

Since you have already completed two books on the city, has it been hard to collect new and original imagery that hasn’t been previously used?

It took quite a bit of time to make contact with others but it has not been difficult to collect new photographs or imagery. My biggest disappointment is that some precious images from Corona’s past simply did not meet the high quality standards required for publication. Some original photos had deteriorated over time.

I know the book is still in the works, but are there any exciting locations that Corona residents can look forward to seeing then and now imagery of?

Then & Now: Corona was actually submitted in mid-November to Arcadia Publishing. The release date will be May 7, 2012.

Many Coronans will enjoy viewing the once vibrant Downtown contrasted with changes made as a result of the Urban Renewal Era. Also, I was unable to reproduce a NOW image of some very nostalgic scenes from THEN. One reason is due to the fact that I was unable to identify the location or I was prevented from placing myself at the same vantage point because of a freeway, or other such obstacle. Some highlights will be the Wagon Wheel Café, three mule teams and workers grading the front lawn of Corona’s second high school at 815 W. Sixth Street, the viaduct constructed to allow pedestrian and vehicle traffic over the Grand Boulevard Raceway during the Corona Road Races of 1913, 1914 and 1916, early church and school buildings, Park N Eat Restaurant, various modes of transportation, and many others.

Your previous books and the work of the Corona Historic Preservation Society has done amazing work to help tell the story of Corona’s past, however many people may not know much about the city we live in.  If you could offer up one fact about the ctiy’s past that everyone should know, what would it be?

The city’s uniqueness was created at its inception by the circular Grand Boulevard roadway encompassing business lots, church lots, school lots and residential lots while groves, packing houses, orchards and ranches were located outside the “circle.”

The recent inclusion of the Grand Boulevard Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places demonstrates how unique the Boulevard is and provides national attention and recognition to the role it has played in Corona’s history.

Corona’s demographic has changed greatly over the years. Do you find that because we are a city now greatly made of Orange County transplants that fewer people care about the history of the city and its story?

No, I have found that residents new to Corona warm up to the history once they start to learn about Corona’s visionary founders and pioneers and what made has made it special since its founding in 1886.

I recently read in the Press-Enterprise about how the Harmony House was saved from demolition in 2003. As Corona continues to grow, do you find that historic homes are becoming more endangered, and if so what is the Corona Historic Preservation Society doing to help?

At this point in time with development slowed significantly, fewer homes have become threatened with demolition. With the addition of the Historic Element to the City’s Municipal Code, procedures are in place to give CHPS opportunities to save threatened structures.

As for what CHPS is doing to help, for many years, the Corona Historic Preservation Society (CHPS) has promoted relocating historic homes as “infill” within the “circle” to prevent dilution of the inner circle’s historic character. Over a decade ago through efforts of CHPS, the original Hotel Del Rey structure was disassembled and is currently in storage to be reconstructed and restored to its previous glory as a community center at the park. In 2004, CHPS was instrumental in successfully “rescuing” from demolition and retaining 511 Vicentia Avenue at its original site by cleaning up the property, repainting the house, as well as replanting and maintaining the landscaping. CHPS assisted in the relocation of the Call ranch house onto a site at Corona Heritage Park. The Brumbaugh House was successfully moved from Seventh Street to a spot at the rear of 1052 East Grand Boulevard.

If a member of the community wants to get involved or help the Corona Historic Preservation Society, where does the organization currently need the most assistance and how can people get involved?

Interested community members may visit our CHPS website to learn more about our organization, efforts and activities. Join our Society, come to our Board of Directors meetings, make contributions and suggestions, etc.

Upon release where will the book be available for purchase?

I have discussed the book’s release with the president of the Friends of the Corona Public Library. We plan [to] co-host a book signing and slide show at the Corona Public Library to introduce the new book to the community. A caveat is that not all photographs obtained were suitable for publication due to quality issues, but some of these photographs will be included in the slide show.

The Corona Historic Preservation Society always makes signed and personalized copies of all my books available for purchase.  Copies of the new book as well as previous would be available at Barnes & Noble, Corona Heritage Park, [and] the Greater Corona Valley Chamber of Commerce.

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Though the book has already been submitted for publication, Winn has not cut herself off to new photo submissions from the public.  ”I am always interested in seeing photographs from Corona’s past and will be happy to accept additional images to scan and include in our “Then & Now: Corona” slide show presentation and to contribute all scans to the Corona Public Library’s, images collections in the W. D. Addison Heritage Room. Any photographs I scan will be promptly returned to the owner, as I have done over many months while writing the new book. I am willing to scan images from personal photograph collections and assist in their donation (on behalf of the donor) to the Heritage Room archives.”

If you have images from Corona’s past that you feel Ms. Winn may be interested in you can reach her at toothladytwo@aol.com or by calling 951-371-5291.

Proceeds from Then and Now: Corona and Winn’s previous books, Images of America: Corona and Postcard History Series: Corona go directly to the Corona Historic Preservation Society (CHPS) to support the Society’s ongoing efforts to preserve, protect and perpetuate Corona’s historic resources.