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Mangelos puts together Ripon history book
john book
John Mangelos researching back copies of the Ripon Record.

John Mangelos has always been passionate about preserving the history of Ripon.

A decade ago, he put together “Images of America: Ripon.”

Mangelos is back with “Ripon: Past & Present,” working once again with Arcadia Publishing along with The History Press.

“The second book was more challenging because I needed the background of the before and after photos – many of the people who helped out for the first book are no longer alive,” he said on Tuesday.

Scheduled for release on April 1, Mangelos’ new book describes Ripon as “a charming and quiet city in the San Joaquin Valley,” and the community as “faith-based, prioritizing tolerance, gratitude, and family – values (that) have played out in the development of the town.”

It took him over a year to put together “Ripon: Past & Present.”

He used a multiple of publications – a few still in circulation and others defunct and buried in the archives – as references.

Some of the photos in the book are from old postcards and photos as found at yard sales or estate sales and even a few purchased on eBay, according to Mangelos.

He also used old phone books and matchbook covers from yesteryear to conduct his research spanning the past 100 years.

Perhaps his biggest challenge was digging up the history of the older homes in town.

In his section on ‘Homes,’ Mangelos said they’re “more than brick-and-mortar – wipe away the cobwebs of time and they are made of the celebration of life.”

He’s thankful for residents such as LuAnn Vander Meulen, who provided photos of her home built in 1913. She’s a third-generation occupant.

 “LuAnn loves history as much as me,” said Mangelos, who put in five photos of her home located on Orange Avenue.

The current Ripon Print Studio is one several downtown businesses featured in the book. Located at 215 W. Main St., the historic building is over 100 years old and was the former home of N&S Home Appliances along with a grocery store and a bakery.

Ede’s Taco Shop at 229 E. Main St. was the former site of a gas station, opening in 1949 as Richfield Service Station and was of eight gas stations in town. Nine different owners operated the service station at that site, Mangelos said.

His book covers Ripon’s religious heritage in the section, ‘Churches: Heart of our Community.’ The Women’s Improvement Club spearheaded these places of worship, dating back to 1884.

Mangelos will have his newest book available at many of the retailers including Schempers Ace Hardware, Walgreens, Costco, and Barnes & Noble, to name a few.

For more information on the book, log on to www.arcadiapublishing.com or call toll free 1.888.313.2665.