Stephen R. Baker grew up immersed in history. As a child, he was entertained by stories of turn-of-the-century Monrovia. Having parents that majored in history, family vacations always included a trip to a California Historical Landmark or a California mission.
After graduating from Monrovia High School, Mr. Baker enrolled at Citrus College and pursued his interest in music. He thrived as a member of the Citrus College Chamber Singers and studied under the supervision of musical director Ben Bollinger. He graduated in 1971 with an associate degree in music and transferred to the University of Southern California (USC).
While a student, Mr. Baker began working for Security Pacific National Bank. Promoted to branch manager within a short period, he quickly earned a reputation for drafting excellent reports and streamlining complex procedures. Years later, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles.
One of Mr. Baker's prestigious career accomplishments came when he accepted an offer from Rosales Organ Builders to serve as its business manager. He directed company finances, maintained budgets and oversaw expenditures on numerous projects. One of the organs produced by the organization during his tenure is still featured at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Mr. Baker's career continued to grow and thrive. In the late 1980s, his accounting work brought him back to Monrovia to work with a local freight company. Soon after, he relocated the historic Luther R. Blair House from Duarte Road to the family lot in north Monrovia to save it from demolition. Restoration of the historic home progresses to this day.
Mr. Baker is a life member of the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group and he has been active with the organization since its founding by researching and writing the histories of the homes featured on the annual Mother's Day Tour. He was appointed the official historian for the city of Monrovia in 1991, succeeding his mentor, Myron Hotchkiss. Mr. Baker also sings in a Los Angeles-based choir named Jouyssance which exclusively performs music written before the mid-17th century.
In 2005, Mr. Baker was elected city treasurer of Monrovia. He has been reelected to the post in 2009, 2013 and 2017.
Mr. Baker is currently the president of the Citrus College Foundation Board of Directors and serves on the boards of the Duarte Historical Society, the Friends of the Duarte Library, Friends of the Monrovia Public Library, the Monrovia Coordinating Council, the Monrovia Historical Museum Foundation, the Rotary Club of Monrovia, the Santa Anita Family YMCA and St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
Mr. Baker's story was originally featured in the program for the 101st Citrus College Commencement.