Archive to Trace 30-Year History of Senior Community

The money has come in small amounts and a lump sum as large as $100,000.

After 10 years of planning, Leisure World residents are seeing a return on their investment--a 2,800-square-foot building that will hold historical memorabilia tracing the private senior community’s 30-year history.

Residents and community leaders gathered Thursday to dedicate the archive, financed through about $280,000 in contributions from residents and area businesses.

“We believe that the historical records of our community should be preserved for the future,” said Tom Gaylor, president of the Leisure World Historical Society, which will run the archives.

The official opening is scheduled for Jan. 15, and the archive will be open to the public. The archives are next to the Leisure World Library, inside Gate 1 at El Toro Road and Avenida Sevilla. Information: (714) 832-4388.