CAM Guest Speaker Focuses on the Villas “Historic Bell”

Local historian Colton Area Museum (CAM) board member Emeritus, Larry Sheffield, will talk about the acquisition and history of the historic Colton bell that currently sits on the property at The Villas, 55+ Retirement Apartments, located at 501 N. 9th Street in downtown Colton. The presentation is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, 2:30 p.m. in the patio garden at the Villas. Ellen Colton, the wife of David Douty Colton, donated the bell to the Presbyterian Church in Colton in 1877. Both she and David were members of this church, which in 2007, donated the bell to the City of Colton. The bell measures 31 inches at its lip and weighs about 800 pounds. It has a single clapper and was operated by a rope-pulled wheel. A Colton Area Museum Board member emeritus, Sheffield has been a long-time historian, researcher, and author in the community. His articles, research projects, and presentations are well-known, and his successful book, “Images of America – Colton” has brought to our city, a wonderful pictorial essay of the history of Colton. The upcoming Sept. 13 presentation about the historic Colton bell, is part of the CAM guest speaker program, which features interesting topics, as well as individuals who have contributed to the enrichment of life among Colton residents. Sheffield has been a guest presenter for many years. Community residents and visitors alike are invited to visit the Colton Area Museum and see the many outstanding displays, including the literature about Agua Mansa. The CAM address is 380 N. La Cadena Dr. in Colton. Regular CAM hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m.-4 p.m., and on Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information about the museum and it programs, contact the museum at 909-824-8814, or Dr. G at 909-213-3730.