Neighborhood Highlights
California Citrus State Historic Park
This open-air museum is the spot to go if you want to know more about the citrus industry’s role in the history and development of Riverside and Southern California as a whole. Stories are told through migrant and immigrant groups who made it all possible. You can also have a picnic and purchase citrus-related merchandise in the gift shop.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
This once modest guest hotel is a National Historic Landmark and member of the Historic Hotels of America. Many notable figures have stayed here since it opened in 1876 including presidents, movie stars, and royalty. Today, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is recognized as the largest Mission Revival-style building in the country, taking up an entire city block in Riverside.
Mt. Rubidoux
Escape the city and visit Mount Rubidoux, an isolated granite hill standing 1,337 feet high. Mount Rubidoux takes its name from one of its wealthy 19th century owners, Louis Rubidoux. Since the 1880s, the hill has been a landmark for residents and travelers alike. Some historians believe the first Easter sunrise service took place here in 1909, inspiring other similar observances around North America.
A History of Riverside
Riverside was founded in 1870 by John North and a group who wanted to develop a colony to further culture and education. Investors from Canada and England brought activities geared towards prosperous residents, which led to the first polo field and golf course being built in Riverside.
The city is also recognized as the epicenter for the start of California’s citrus industry. In 1873, a local resident, Eliza Tibbets, planted two orange trees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These Brazilian naval orange trees thrived in the local climate, which launched the orange industry. By 1882, Riverside had more than 250,000 citrus trees. This, combined with the development of refrigerated railroad cars and irrigation systems put Riverside on the map as the wealthiest city per capital by 1895.
