RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA

Located east of Los Angeles and north of San Diego,
Riverside is the seat of Riverside County and its largest city.

Riverside Chambers  of Commerce

 

THE HISTORY OF RIVERSIDE

Riverside’s written history begins with the Spanish expedition of 1774,
but Cahuilla and Serrano Indian tribes had long lived on the land,
gathering near sources of water. Led by Juan Bautista de Anza, the
expedition sought to establish a colonization route. Settlers were sent by
the governments of Spain and Mexico to establish and inhabit ranchos,
army presidios and missions and attempted to assimilate the native
population. One of the largest land grants was to Juan Bandini, who sold
6,700 acres in 1844 to Louis Rubidoux, a former fur trapper born in
Spain to French parents. Rubidoux was an educated man, fluent in eight
languages, who took an active part in the settlement. He developed a
cattle and grain ranch and established an Anglo community by selling
parcels of the land to settlers. His property eventually became part of the
city of Riverside.

In 1870, Easterner John W. North, with a vision of a utopian colony,
purchased land and gathered investors who formed the Southern
California Colony Association. North laid out a mile-square town site and
attracted settlers from the east with glowing broadside sheets titled "Ho!
For California!" Originally called Jurupa, perhaps because the land was
part of the Rancho Jurupa land grant, in 1871 the town’s name was
changed to Riverside. A village was established on the slope of Mount
Rubidoux by the Cahuilla Indians, who were available as a labor force.

Matthew Gage, a jeweler from Canada, built the Gage Canal, making
possible the irrigation of formerly dry acreage. Eliz Tibbets, wife of one of
the colonists, planted two navel orange trees, which thrived and provided
cuttings for the establishment of large groves. (One of the two, the Parent
Navel Orange Tree, survives to this day having been transplanted to its
own small park on the corner of Magnolia and Arlington avenues.) Their
success began a "gold rush" of a different sort as horticulturists and
investors flocked to be a part of the new citrus industry. A large and
prosperous society developed, including many English and Canadian
investors. Riverside’s warm, dry climate also attracted people for health
reasons and as an escape from Eastern winters.

California’s billion-dollar citrus industry has its roots in Riverside.
The city’s agricultural heritage led to the development of related services
-- shipping, marketing, research and product development. With the
advent of industry to the town came an influx of newcomers from other
parts of the country and around the world. Their traditions and interests
enriched and enhanced the city. Tree lined streets, stately Victorian
homes and the famous Mission Inn, a masterpiece of architectural design,
frequented by presidents, kings and movie stars, the Mission Inn gained
world-fame. Will Rogers once described as "the most unique hotel in
America," are testimonials to the city’s rich past.

MISSION INN

HEALTH CARE:

Comprehensive health care and services, from a state-of-the-art
computerized diagnostic imaging center to sports medicine clinics, are
available to Riverside’s citizens. Riverside Community Hospital and
Parkview Community Hospital provide acute care and emergency
services. Kaiser Permanente also has a 200-bed hospital. Nearby Loma
Linda University and VA Medical Centers also offer state-of-the-art
treatment at their world famous research and teaching facilities.

 

HIGHER EDUCATION:

The University of California in Riverside (UCR) opened its doors in
1953. Within five years it was acclaimed as one of the 10 best
undergraduate institutions in the country. Today UCR offers bachelor’s,
master’s and doctoral degrees in 55 fields.

Riverside Community College (RCC) offers associate’s degrees,
vocational certificates, transfer courses and general interest classes.
Designed to prepare students for careers and to act as a transition to
four-year colleges and universities, RCC also offers specialized programs
in continuing education that are open to the entire community.

California Baptist College is an accredited private Christian college. The
four-year college of arts and sciences offers bachelor’s and master’s
degrees.  
La Sierra University is owned and operated by the Seventh-day-
Adventist Church, with its College of Arts and Sciences, School of
Education, Division of Religion and Graduate School. In 1979 the site,
which features more than 140 species of trees from all over the world,
was declared an arboretum.
Loma Linda University (LLU) is a Seventh-day Adventist educational
health-sciences institution with 3,000 students and more than 55
programs.  Curricula offered range from certificates of completion and
associate degrees to doctor of philosophy and professional doctoral
degrees.

RELIGIONS

Nearly every religious denomination is represented in Riverside.
Riverside’s first church, the First Church of Christ, was erected in 1972.
Affiliated with the Congregational Church, the church attracted members
of other faiths.

Roman Catholic religion was brought to Riverside by the Spanish
Explorers. The first parish church, St. Francis de Sales was established
downtown in 1887. The first Jewish Temple was built in 1872. In 1947
members of the Riverside Community Center formed Temple Beth El to
meet local needs.

The First Church of Christ Scientist was designed by architect Arthur
Benton at the turn of the century. Churches in the city today include a
Greek Orthodox congregation, a Church for the Deaf, and an Islamic
Mosque.

 

SHOPPING:

The Galleria at Tyler covers more than 1.1 million square feet. It includes
195 stores featuring a Nordstrom, Macy's, and J. C. Penny’s.

Riverside Plaza has over 50 specialty stores, restaurants and theaters.

Canyon Crest Town Center is a 22 acre theme neighborhood center
featuring large supermarkets and drugstores, a health club, several
restaurants and small shops.

Canyon Springs includes Wal Mart, Sam’s Club, Costco, a medical clinic
and retail outlets.

Ontario Mills, just 25 miles from AFVW, is the size of three football
fields. Features over 300 outlet stores and a mini Rodeo Drive. A large
food court in the center provides an array of food and specialty
restaurants. The Mills also provides entertainment for all ages; 32 big
screen theaters, Dave & Busters, a king size video arcade, a Jungle
Walk, something all kids from 9 to 92 can enjoy the "Mills Experience."

 

TRANSPORTATION:

The Santa Fe Railway, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad Co.
and Metrolink lines provide dependable daily service for Riverside.
Ontario International Airport, just 28 miles from AFVW provides flights
to cities all over the country and Mexico. Commuter service also is
available. Several major air freight carriers serve Ontario and this growing
airport has both International and Domestic terminals.

 

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES:

More than 60 visual and performing arts organizations are represented in
the city. The Riverside Arts Foundation promotes the cultural life of
Riverside through leadership in educational, financial, and technical
assistance to artists, arts organizations and community groups.

The Riverside County Philharmonic, conducted by Patrick Flynn, has
been performing since 1959. Concerts in Riverside are held at the
Municipal Auditorium.

The Riverside Concert Band first performed on July 4, 1876, for the
United States centennial. It is one of the oldest bands in the United States
and the oldest performing group in Riverside County.

The Riverside Master Choral and the John T. Hamilton Choral, both are
open to singers by audition and present several concerts each year.
The Inland Cities Opera founded in 1926, presents performances and
musical events at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.

The oldest continuously active community theater group in the United
States is Riverside Community Players founded in 1926. Six plays are
offered each year as well as workshops on acting and staging techniques.
Riverside Community College’s Civic Light Opera uses a combination of
student, community and Equity actors in its productions. Visiting guest
artists and touring shows also perform at the college’s Landis Auditorium.
Riverside Ballet Theater presents professional performances. Founded in
1969, RBT has a history of developing fine young talent and providing
dancers to major accompanies, all over the world.
The Riverside Film Festival showcases art films from around the world.
Located east of Los Angeles and north of San Diego, Riverside is the
seat of Riverside County and its largest city.