The Lakewood Story is a large-format book with 218 pages, many of them with photographs. This unique “trade” paperback contains many historical photo­graphs and was written through a grant from the Weingart Foundation. It is an account of Lakewood’s history, its community traditions, and the neighborhood values that sustain the city’s quality of life today.

The book will be available in mid-May and may be purchased at city hall for $5.00 per copy or $9.46 if ordered online.  $4.96 postage and handling fee is charged for online orders.  Online orders will not be billed until an order is prepared for shipping. Following its planned May release, the book will be distributed to Lakewood’s libraries and schools.

Public Information Officer Don Waldie oversees completion of Lakewood Story

Lakewood Public Information Officer Don Waldie recently oversaw completion of “The Lakewood Story: History, Traditions, Values.” It’s a full-length history of Lakewood from its earliest days to the present, authored by a panel of writers with the assistance of Dr. Allison Baker, a historian. Don’s own book, “Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir,” received critical acclaim when it was published in 1996.

Lakewood Online: Why a history of Lakewood?

DON WALDIE: The purpose of “The Lakewood Story” is to share with new generations of residents the unique sense of place that Lakewood residents know. We hope that young readers

will use the book in their school work and that new residents, coming from highly diverse backgrounds, will turn to the book to learn the traditions and values of their community.

LAKEWOOD ONLINE: Tell us about the book and its contents? How is it organized?

DON WALDIE: “The Lakewood Story” has three major sections—Lakewood’s history, its traditions and values, and a look at the future of Lakewood. Within each section is a narrative overview and a series of in-depth reports we call “A Closer Look.” The structure of the book is thematic, not purely chronological. Many of the essays from the Take Your Place in History program are included, too. We wanted Lakewood’s story to be told as much as possible in the heartfelt words of those who make Lake­wood their home.

LAKEWOOD ONLINE: I guess it’s impossible for any two people to completely agree on a community’s history. How did you handle community controversies?

DON WALDIE: Well, we all know that every family, neighborhood, school, religious congre­gation, club, and business in Lakewood has its own, very important story to tell. Our book isn’t a “definitive history” like some kind of encyclopedia. That would be impossible and not much fun to read. Our focus was on stories . . . the narratives that help explain why Lakewood’s past and future are linked. Actually, our hope is that more and more stories will be told and that community groups and organizations collect their own stories and histories to share with the community.

When we dealt with controversial subjects, we turned to an experienced reporter who covered Lakewood for many years. We wanted an objective, balanced account of controversies and I think we got it.

LAKEWOOD ONLINE: Do you think the city’s best days are behind it?

DON WALDIE: The lesson in Lakewood’s 50-year story is one of endurance and purpose. Lakewood residents 50 years ago took a risky, unproven plan for contracting for city services proposed by City Attorney John S. Todd (who is still our city attorney) and made it work. They met the challenge of creating a real community from miles of suburban tract housing. They sustained 50 years of Lakewood. If we can do that, we can do anything. The best is yet to come in a diverse, hopeful Lakewood.

LAKEWOOD ONLINE: How will the new book be distributed?

DON WALDIE: Thanks to the Weingart Foundation, we do not have to charge for “The Lakewood Story,” but quantities will be very limited, and only one copy per Lake­wood household will be available for a nominal handling fee.

Copies may be purchased in City Hall or online. Copies of the book will be delivered from the printer in mid-May.

Ordering

The purchase price of each book is $5.00 when picked up at the Club Lakewood store at city hall (5050 Clark Avenue). Books can be purchased from the cashier's counter inside city hall.

An additional $4.96 postage and handling fee is charged for online orders. The total cost for online purchases is $9.96 per book. Online orders may be made here by hitting the "Add to Cart" icon and following instructions.
 

Order online

Lakewood's early boast of “The City as New as Tomorrow" came with all the optimism that thousands of young men and women, weary of the war years and the Great Depression, could summon. Beginning in 1950, they moved to the largest planned housing development in America, put down roots, and built a flourishing community where there had been fields the year before. That history is brought to life and linked to the present in “The Lakewood Story: History, Traditions, Values.”

Click here to order online

Limited quantities

Quantities are limited. “The Lakewood Story: History, Traditions, Values” was made possible by a grant from the Weingart Foundation.

Lending copies will be available at both county libraries in Lakewood.