DEC 2012 – CITROGRAPH PRINTING CO. CELEBRATES 125 YEARS OF BUSINESS

How many local businesses can celebrate 125 years of service to Redlands and tout being the oldest member of the Redlands Chamber of Commerce? Only one-Citrograph Printing Co., the oldest continuously running business in Redlands, oldest continuously running print house in California and first member of the Chamber.

Citrograph’s story began more than one year before the city of Redlands became incorporated. Owner Scipio Craig founded the company and established the town’s first newspaper, “The Citrograph” in 1887. Though the newspaper presses stopped when Craig passed away, as he had planned, the printing side of the company continued.

It operated in three different locations before it landed on State Street and has had six different owners. After his death, Craig’s family sold the business to Robert Hornbeck, who later sold it to employee Ernest Truesdail, who sold it to his employee Richard Caudle. His son, Richard Caudle, Jr., assumed the business in 1992. When he was ready to retire, he offered to sell the business to current owners Ryan Bailey, who was at the time the company’s graphic designer and Al Hernandez. The duo purchased the business in 2002.

Though the shop’s decor is reminiscent of days gone by, business at Citrograph includes 21st century printing services, promotional advertising, website design/maintenance/hosting and graphic design.
“Citrograph is an institution in Redlands and we will continue to honor the name that has come to mean reliable quality of service while at the same time bringing Citrograph into the 21st century with expanded services and products,” Bailey said.

It wasn’t long after buying the company that Hernandez and Bailey founded the Citrograph Scholarship Fund through the Redlands Community Foundation—a nonprofit liaison between donors and recipients—providing scholarships to students at the University of Redlands. In 2003, the first scholarship was awarded to a University of Redlands student in the music program.

This year, Bailey and Hernandez celebrated distribution of more than $80,000 in scholarships and the 10th anniversary of both events they host annually to fund the scholarships—“Vintage Redlands”, a walking wine tour, and “For the Love of Food and Wine”, a dinner and wine pairing at Farm Artisan Foods.

The duo also serve on boards and committees, including the University of Redlands Town & Gown, Redlands Community Foundation, and Family Service Association of Redlands, and Redlands Sunrise Rotary to name a few.They are proud to be the chamber’s oldest members.

“I don’t think any other business comes close to our 125-year-member standing in the chamber,” Hernandez said. “But I do hope all businesses will recognize our commitment to the chamber, and follow suit by joining or maintaining membership in this important organization. The chamber is as strong as its membership.”