This publication is the result of many years of work of the author in archives, museums and libraries of the country, meetings with local historians of different generations. The book is the first serious study that gives a general picture of the formation of local history in Chelyabinsk. Equipped with rich scientific reference material. It contains more than 40 biographical articles about local historians of Chelyabinsk with a bibliography of their works. Here, for the first time, complete information is given about the content of the handwritten magazine "Chelyabinsk Local Historian," which was published in the city for three years, as well as a short list of local history works published in Chelyabinsk, indicating their location at present. The narrative was brought to 1941. The publication is intended for everyone interested in the history of their hometown.