While the bloggers here at Sac History Happenings try and refrain from adding too much personal detail in our posts, I must confess that the release of Arcadia's book on Citrus Heights is for me, a total delight. I grew up in Citrus Heights, rode bicycles down Van Maren Lane, built forts in the oak trees near Misty Creek, and attended Sylvan Mi
ddle School.
As a youngster, I sensed that my surroundings had some history and heard that the junior high I attended was "pretty old."From the windows of my seventh grade science classroom, I looked out toward Sylvan Cemetery, not knowing that area residents established it as early as 1862.
Jim Van Maren, a descendant of one of Citrus Heights' founding families, authors this small illustrated publication. According to an Arcadia press release, the book's historic images are culled largely from the collection of the Van Maren family, who started farming the community in the 1850s.
The press release also mentions how "Citrus Heights has grown from a farming community settlement to a modern suburb and a favorite place for families to thrive in Sacramento County." Citrus Heights is now an officially incorporated city and is dotted with exceptional contemporary amenities. What I like about the place though, are the remnants of its rural past. There are still groves of oak trees, large lots of land, and plenty of early architecture to enjoy and explore.
I look forward to Van Maren's book and learning more about the past of my hometown.
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