Discover Riverside: Fascinating Historical Facts
Explore the vibrant history of Riverside, California—where innovation, culture, and heritage intersect. These captivating facts showcase the city’s unique contributions to California and American history.
Historic Firsts & Cultural Moments
“Gone with the Wind” Premiere: The iconic film had its first public showing at Riverside’s Fox Theater on September 9, 1939.
Citrus Boom: Though the industry began earlier, 1939 marked the peak of orange acreage in Riverside. Post-WWII, many groves gave way to suburban development.
Mission Inn Origins: The famed Mission Inn Hotel began as a humble “Glenwood Hotel,” operating for nearly 30 years before its transformation.
Paper Cup Giant: The Lily-Tulip Company once showcased the world’s largest paper cup at its Iowa Avenue factory—still visible today.
Landmarks & Legacy
De Anza Statue: Dedicated in 1940, the statue honors explorer Juan Bautista de Anza. The likeness is based on Ed Loustaunau, a descendant of Anza’s brother.
Hunter Hobby Park: Home to one of Southern California’s largest live-steam model railroads.
Fairmount Park: Inspired by Philadelphia’s namesake, it features a 1907 Baldwin locomotive, a rose garden established in 1956, and Lake Evans, named for early developer Samuel Cary Evans.
Neighborhood Histories
Arlington: A “town within a town,” Arlington once had its own mailing address.
Arlanza: Named from a blend of “Arlington” and “Anza,” the area served as Camp Anza, a WWII staging site for Pacific-bound troops.
La Sierra: Honors two historic ranchos—La Sierra (Sepulveda) and La Sierra (Yorba), founded in 1846.
Magnolia Center: Coined in the 1920s by realtor R.C. Burlingame as a marketing tool, this area sits near the city’s geographic center.
Streets with Stories
Alessandro Boulevard: Pays tribute to the hero in the novel Ramona, symbolizing early native and Mexican Californian life.
University Avenue: Formerly 8th Street, this citrus-lined road transitioned into a motel district with rising auto tourism.
Victoria Avenue: Named for Queen Victoria, a nod to British investors in Arlington Heights.
Magnolia Avenue: Originally disconnected, it was extended in 1913 to connect to downtown.
Institutions & Innovations
UC Riverside (UCR): Opened in 1954, though the University of California had been in the area since 1907 via the Citrus Experiment Station.
California Baptist University: Formerly a retirement facility for the Neighbors of Woodcraft, a fraternal society.
California School for the Deaf: One of only two statewide campuses, it serves all of Southern California from its Riverside location.
Civil Rights Institute: Offers educational programming on civil rights, with a regional focus.
Inlandia Institute: Founded in 2007, it supports literary life across the Inland Empire through publications and seminars.
Military & Wartime Efforts
March Air Reserve Base: Opened in 1918 as Alessandro Aviation Field, renamed March Field shortly after.
“Water Buffalo” Production: Riverside’s Food Machinery Corp produced amphibious landing vehicles during WWII, employing over 2,000 locals.
Miscellaneous Wonders
Hotel Rubidoux: A grand hotel was once planned atop Mt. Rubidoux, but early construction was destroyed by Santa Ana winds.
Box Springs: Not mattress-related—this spring, boxed in for easier access, helped sustain travelers long before the city’s founding.
Parent Navel Orange Trees: Transplanted in 1902–1903, one still stands near the Mission Inn, helped into place by President Theodore Roosevelt
