This image is the cover for the book Duarte Chronicles, American Chronicles

Duarte Chronicles, American Chronicles

Andres Duarte was a Mexican army veteran who was awarded a 6,595-acre grant south of the San Gabriel Mountains in 1841. Parceled out to settlers and farmers, the Rancho Azusa de Duarte began thriving when rail lines were built to access the citrus crops. Duarte was home to the City of Hope, a tuberculosis clinic that became a world-class cancer research and treatment center. The old U.S. Route 66 brought thousands of new Californians through the residential melting pot from points east. Residents have included such notables as big-band leader Glenn Miller and playwright Sam Shepard. Join coauthors Claudia and Alan Heller as they recall the people, institutions, events and natural elements that have made Duarte a unique Los Angeles County city.

Claudia Heller, Alan Heller

Claudia Heller grew up in Hollywood and graduated from Los Angeles City College. Living in Duarte for the past thirty years, she has served as president of the Duarte Historical Society and Museum. She writes a bimonthly column for the Star News and is coauthor with husband Alan of Life on Route 66: Personal Accounts Along the Mother Road to California. Alan Heller earned a BA degree in biology at California State University, Los Angeles. He currently serves as president of Duarte's Public Access Channel (DCTV), and is a former commissioner of the Duarte Parks and Recreation Commission, the Duarte Planning Commission, and Duarte the Community Service Commission. Margaret Finlay is the mayor of Duarte, California.

The History Press