As a young man -- he's now 72 -- he began collecting old photos from anyone willing to share them.
This spring, Arcadia Publishing released his riveting collection of photographs, drawings and paintings of the heady early days in Mariposa in a new book titled "Mariposa County."
"I just took an interest in the history of this town," Radanovich said, leaning back in a creaky wooden chair on the front porch of his home.
"When I was a kid I would crawl around in the old mines and buildings. I wanted to know as much as I could about it and I was very fortunate that a lot of people wanted to help me."
The 128-page book chronicles the early days of Mariposa County, when John C. Fremont began handing out leases for lots on land that did not yet belong to him.
"You will find that most titles on most properties are from 1958," Radanovich said with a grin. "But you will find that most buildings were built before the titles were given."
Radanovich gathered more than 200 images to illustrate the fascinating history of Mariposa County, said Laura Moore, publicity manager for Arcadia.
"He paid tribute to its sometimes harsh but always beautiful landscape, its colorful characters, and the stories that make the region unique," she said.
Pictures are augmented by text revealing the oft-times quirky history, shady past and humorous anecdotes that make any history worth reading.
Radanovich has been collecting the photographs for 50 years.
As a young man he worked as a dishwasher in Yosemite Valley, a pharmacist in Mariposa, and returned to Yosemite Valley as a photographer where he remained for 40 years.
Through these businesses he forged relationships with longtime residents of Mariposa County, many of whom shared their family photos.
"There are lots of different sources," Radanovich said. "Many of them come from the early-day families, many of them just came to me."
Families such as the Schlageters, Varains, Milburns, Williams, Bagbys, Milers and McElligotts contributed invaluable photos.
Radanovich was also able to secure nearly all of the 53 photos taken by prolific Old West photographer Carlton Watkins of San Francisco.
Hired to photograph assets of the Mariposa land grant to entice investors, Watkins took incredible photographs unique for their size.
"They are 18- by 20-inch glass plates," Radanovich said in awe. "They were incredibly good because they were large. They were the most complete and the best of all the pictures taken in the mining days. He was the best photographer in the West."
Radanovich is thrilled that Arcadia Publishing is so eager to preserve American history through its "Images of History" series, which now includes Mariposa County.
"Historians always have this real interest in preservation whether it's environment or photos or structures," he said. "It helps to give you perspective on the past, but it also gives you some clue as to what it should be like in the future.
"I was very happy to give up dishwashing and pharmacy for this."
"Mariposa County" is the second book Radanovich has published through Arcadia Publishing.
The first was another picture book, "Yosemite Valley."
He plans to write one more for the series titled "Yosemite National Park."
Radanovich has also published five other books through Mariposa Heritage Press.
Arcadia Publishing became aware of his work when they observed many of the old photographs on display in Yosemite Valley that Radanovich helped to coordinate.
They contacted him with the idea for the three books and wrote up a contract.
With his other books, Radanovich created and designed them as well as paid for the printing and set about distributing them himself.
Nowadays he uses Publishing On Demand where he creates the manuscript, puts it on a CD and has it printed.
Since most of his books are "limited interest" books, reflecting the history of the area where he lives, he is able to print as few as 500 books at a time rather than thousands of unnecessary copies.
Radanovich is thrilled to spend his retirement years preserving the history of Mariposa County for generations to come.
"There is a need to expose this material for the people in Mariposa," he said. "We have lots of new people moving to Mariposa, and it's fascinating how interested they are in the history up here."
When Radanovich is finished with the photos he has collected, he plans to give them back to the community he loves so well.
"All this material will go to the history center," he said, "so people can research and study."
"Mariposa County" by Leroy Radanovich costs $19.99 and is available at Radanovich Photography, 5018 Bullion St., Mariposa, by calling 966-5522 or through Arcadia Publishing at 888-313-2665.
Correspondent Krista Bjorn can be reached by e-mail at danishlass@juno.com or by leaving a message at 385-2478.
