The Last of the Independent

 The El Sereno Historical Society was formed by community members who saw a great need to preserve El Sereno's long and unique history.  We had waited a long time to see if anyone was willing to take up the task.  It was soon realized that waiting wasn't the option for our community.  The ball had been dropped and it was waiting for someone to pick it up, as simple as that.

A handful of us, old friends, new friends, and family, picked it up.  We found it hard to put down something so precious, with only the hope that maybe someone else might pick it up again.  Who are we to take up this project?  Why should we care?  Those were questions often asked amongst ourselves.  

We (the El Sereno Historical Society), are all ordinary homeowners and residents living in El Sereno.  Each of us has a career, a family, hobbies, and enjoy spending our free time with family and friends, just like everyone else.

But the need to create a source of information, where our community will be able to learn what it means to live in El Sereno, on how unique our community is from those neighboring us; that was too important to ignore.  Especially when our own children are hungry for that knowledge about their community.  After much contemplation we decided to set aside our free time and dedicated this time to diligently gather information from as many sources as we could find.  

The El Sereno Historical Society was unknowingly formed.  The great amount of work and focus required was only surpassed by the unflinching discipline we set upon ourselves.

The extraordinary workload and great amount of time required to collect and organize the historical  information was something we never seriously considered; yet the core group who agreed to launch this historic endeavor never wavered from their commitment to finish what had been started.  Even as the amount of work and time required continued month after month, our commitment never weakened.  Our spiritual fire was kept strong knowing that all the months of work, of our free time, was not just for us.  We knew the greater importance for completing a presentable project was so that our families, children, friends, neighbors, and the 48,000+ residents who call El Sereno home would all be able to read and learn what has been neglected for so long.  The Authentic History of El Sereno.

Even though the fruit of our labor finally got online on January 2012, we are still working on updating, adding, making the website and the information presented better.  We now realize and accept the fact that ours will be a life-long endeavor.  We know that to make history-you need to actively live in it.  The history of our El Sereno Community does not stop on any specific date. The history of a community is the Past, Present, and Future of that community.

We hope that through our efforts, the next generation of community historians have already taken root.  So that when our borrowed time here comes to an end, the next soldiers-of-the-pen will shoulder the task and continue sharing the community's history, adding more facts and memories of a time before; so that those who are to come after them can continue to learn about El Sereno's history and understand the great importance of preserving and adding to it. 

Let it be so...

Vision

Forge a solid foundation of knowledge, pride, and unity today: So an enduring, vibrant, and dynamic El Sereno Community flourishes tomorrow

Mission

Promote the history of El Sereno; empower residents to become informed and proactive; preserve El Sereno's historic landmarks, buildings, and homes; collect and conserve El Sereno's history (past, present, and future)

Our Goals
1. Bring the residents and public authentic, accurate, and reliable information concerning the history of El Sereno

2. Encourage and assist residents/stakeholder to become better informed and proactive community members