Corona, California
Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of
the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 124,966; a 2004
special census put the fast-growing city's population at 144,274. The
city of Norco lies to the northeast, Chino Hills and Yorba Linda to the
west, and the Cleveland National Forest to the southwest;
unincorporated areas of Riverside County line all of its other borders.
It is served by the Corona, Chino Valley, and Riverside freeways, as
well as the 91 Line of the Metrolink commuter rail system.
Corona was founded at the height of the Southern California citrus
boom in 1896, advantageously situated at the upper end of the Santa
Ana River Canyon, the only significant pass through the Santa Ana
Mountains. It derived its name (and its nickname, The Circle City)
from the curious layout of its streets, with a standard grid enclosed by
the circular Grand Boulevard. Prior to the 1980s, Corona was a largely
agricultural community, dominated by citrus orchards, ranches, and
dairy farms. Sky-high real estate prices in Los Angeles and Orange
counties made the area's cheap land desirable to developers and
industrialists, and by the late 1990s it was considered a major suburb
of Los Angeles. In recent years, Corona has changed from a working-
class bedroom community for Orange County and the larger cities of
the Inland Empire to a full-fledged edge city in its own right, with
industrial parks opening near Norco and luxury housing developments
rising in the foothills of the Santa Anas. The development of
commerce and industry in the city has been accelerated by congestion
on the Riverside Freeway, with many firms leaving northern Orange
County to be closer to their employees' homes in Corona and
Riverside. The construction of the Chino Valley Freeway nearby has
also linked Corona to the Pomona and San Gabriel valleys, with the
result that the once largely white and Latino city has experienced an
influx of Asian-American residents who commute to Asian-oriented
businesses in cities such as Alhambra and Diamond Bar. As with the
rest of the Inland Empire, Corona has also experienced an influx of
African Americans fleeing the continued decline of traditionally black
areas of South Los Angeles. The city of Corona has four main high
schools: Santiago, Corona, Centennial, and Buena Vista. One of
Corona's major employers is the Fender Musical Instrument
Corporation's main factory, which produces the U.S.-made models in
the company's storied line, and also contains Fender's guitar and
amplification custom shops. Corona is also the home of the Golden
Cheese Company of California, and the Fender Center for Music
Education, more commonly known as the Fender Museum.
Corona was also home to the Corona road race, a Grand Prix race in
the early 20th Century.
Geography
Corona is located at 33°52′12″N, 117°34′4″W (33.869998,
-117.567783)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total
area of 91.1 km² (35.2 mi²). 91.0 km² (35.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1
km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.06%) is water. Corona has experienced a
recent real estate boom with home resale values not uncommonly
reaching into the millions. It is a bordering town to Yorba Linda, an
upper class Eastern Orange County neighborhood. Many people have
made a lot of money on their homes in South Orange County and
moved into Corona, particularly South Corona, where a boom of
extremely nice new homes have been built. There is a large amount
of commuting done by Corona residents thanks to its Orange County
Toll Road system.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 124,966 people, 37,839
households, and 30,384 families residing in the city. The population
density was 1,372.7/km² (3,555.5/mi²). There were 39,271 housing
units at an average density of 431.4/km² (1,117.3/mi²). The racial
makeup of the city was 62.03% White, 6.43% Black or African
American, 0.87% Native American, 7.54% Asian, 0.31% Pacific
Islander, 17.52% from other races, and 5.30% from two or more
races. 35.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 37,839 households out of which 49.6% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living
together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present,
and 19.7% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up
of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years
of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the
average family size was 3.64.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of
18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64,
and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30
years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,615, and the
median income for a family was $63,505. Males had a median income
of $44,752 versus $31,884 for females. The per capita income for the
city was $21,001. About 6.0% of families and 8.3% of the population
were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18
and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
The History of Corona
by Gloria Scott Freel, Former Heritage Room Supervisor, Corona Public
Library
The City of Corona is located approximately 45 miles southeast of Los
Angeles in western Riverside County. The community is ideally
situated at the base of the mountainous Cleveland National Forest on
an alluvial plain leading down or north to the Santa Ana River. In 1996
the city population will reach over 100,000 and the city limits cover
approximately 32.83 square miles, and this grows continuously
through annexations. The mean temperature in January has averaged
51.6 degrees, and in July 74.8 degrees. Rainfall averages 2.71 inches
in January and .01 in July. Corona is a General Law City. Five Corona
citizens make up the Corona City Council and each is elected to a four
year term of office.
Historically, the area has many significant features. The Luiseño
Indians, the site of the first Spanish family to settle in Riverside
County, the Temescal Tin Mines, and some of the best clay and
mineral deposits in the United States are located here. Also, the
renowned circular Grand Boulevard where three international road
racing events took place in 1913, 1914 and 1916. The first lemon
processing plant in the country was built here in 1915 and the world's
largest cheese plant was opened on Lincoln Avenue in 1985 where the
Desi Arnaz horse ranch had once stood.
The local Luiseño Indians were known as hunters and gatherers. They
hunted for such animals as black bear, snakes, rodents, coyote,
rabbits, birds and fish. They made straw baskets from wild grasses,
constructed clay containers and gathered acorns, seeds, wild berries
and roots for food. These Native Americans were very clean, and used
the hot waters in the Temescal Canyon to bathe on a daily basis and
as part of their religious ceremonies. (Current residents and visitors
still enjoy the rejuvenating mud baths and hot springs at the Glen Ivy
resort.) Luiseño religious ceremonies were strictly followed and
remnants of some of their artistic pictographs and petroglyphs can still
be found on some of the rocks in the undeveloped areas.
These Indian tribes came under the influence of the Spanish settlers
at the Mission San Luis Rey, and they were given the name Luiseño.
As Spanish settlement progressed inland, the land soon was taken
over by Spanish ranchos. Sheep and cattle dotted the hills from
ranchos run by the Serrano, Cot, Sepulveda and Botiller families.
Remnants of the Serrano tanning vats are still found on Old Temescal
Canyon Road. This is also the route that was taken by the Butterfield
Stage Route that brought many Americans to California along the
southern route between 1858 and 1861. Plaques marking the sites of
Indian petroglyphs, the Butterfield Stage stops and the Serrano
adobes are still found along this road.
In 1886, developer Robert Taylor persuaded his partners, Rimpau,
Joy, Garretson and Merrill to form the South Riverside Land and Water
Company. Together they raised approximately $110,000 to purchase
approximately 12,000 acres of good agricultural land. Taylor realized
the importance of water for the soon to be developed community, and
additional funds were used to ensure that sufficient water rights were
obtained. Taylor hired Anaheim engineer H. C. Kellogg to design a
circular Grand Boulevard three miles round. Early residents used to
parade their fancy buggies on this circular street that enclosed the
main functions of the community: schools, churches, residences and
stores. To the north along the railroad tracks were the manufacturing
plants and packing houses. The southern end of town was left to the
citrus industry, and the mining companies were established just
outside the cities southeastern and eastern city limits.
The town's founders initially named their development South Riverside
after the successful citrus community of Riverside, just a few miles
away. Almost all of the new settlers planted orange and lemon trees in
hopes of gaining future profits. New groves continued to spring up and
by 1912 there were 5,000 acres of established lemon and orange
groves. By 1913 Corona shipped more fruit than any other town in
Southern California. In 1961 citrus was still considered the backbone
of Corona's economy, and the largest source of revenue. In that year
citrus covered 7500 acres. The labor force fluctuated between 400 and
1800 workers at the peak of the harvest. An additional 500 people
worked at the Exchange Lemon Products plant. By 1982 Corona's
agricultural industry faced a bleak future as "production costs made
the economics of farming only fair or poor." Plans were begun to
replace the groves with approximately 12,500 dwelling units.
Since Corona's 1900 population of 1434, there have been numerous
changes. On July 13, 1896 residents voted to incorporate and change
the name of the community to Corona, which is Spanish for crown, in
honor of the City's circular Grand Boulevard. On September 9, 1913, in
observance of California's Admissions Day, Corona residents
celebrated with an international automobile race on the Boulevard.
The event attracted such auto racing greats of Ralph De Palma,
Barney Oldfield, Terrible Teddy Tetzlaff and Earl Cooper. More than
100,000 people came to the town of 4,000 to watch Cooper win the
race and a prize of $8,250. It was so successful that races were held
again in 1914 and 1916. The demise of the road races were due not
only to the tragic deaths which occurred in 1916, but because of the
cost and local effort needed to stage such an extravagant event.
During the teens and twenties, Corona citizens built numerous
churches, a library and a new city hall. By 1915 the production of
lemons was exceeding national demand, and local businessmen
worked together to form the first Lemon Exchange By-Products
Company in the United States. Located on Joy and the railroad tracks,
this co-operative was eventually bought out by Sunkist. In 1954 they
employed over 700 people and marketed a variety of lemon products
for worldwide disbursement. The plant produced citric acid, lemon oil,
lemon juice and pectin which helped Corona gain the nickname
"Lemon Capital of the world." As housing developments began to
overtake the Southern California citrus orchards, Sunkist found that
the lack of a local supply was forcing them to move. They closed the
Corona plant in 1982.
Mining has always played a secondary but vital role to the more
prominent citrus industry. Now that citrus has declined and the mines
remain, they have again become a focal point in Corona industry.
Historically this area is known for having the only productive tin mine
in the country, and it produced tin until 1893. Other more successful
mining ventures included the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
Company (previously Blue Diamond mine,) the Pacific Clay Company
(organized in 1886,) Redlands Clay Tile, Maruhachi Ceramics, Monier
Roof Tile and U.S. Tile. By 1954 the city had more than 11,000
inhabitants and was home to such industries as the Corona Clipper
Company, Liston Brick Company, Borden Food Products and Tillotsen
Refractories. The only oil wells in Riverside County were located in this
area.
Agriculture has always played a significant role in Corona's history. The
land to the northwest was more suitable for alfalfa, grin, sugar beets,
tomatoes, beans, walnuts and dairy land as far back as 1914. In the
1930s the average dairy consisted of 5-10 acres with 35 to 70 cows. By
1982 operations had become highly mechanized with almost 500 cows
per 60 to 200 acres. With increased development the future of
agricultural pursuits within the city limits is significantly decreasing.
As Southern California began to grow, so did Corona. The Riverside
Freeway (Highway 91) was constructed through Corona in 1962.
Downtown Corona went through urban renewal in the late 60s and 70s,
razing the old and putting in a new downtown. By 1989, the I-15went
in to the east of town, and development of Sierra del Oro, Corona Hills
and South Corona were in full gear. New commercial developments
began opening on Lincoln Avenue, McKinley Avenue and in Sierra del
Oro. Price Club, Walmart, and the new auto mall became important
parts of the city's revitalization. In June 1993 the City opened the
newly redone Corona Public Library at 650 South Main Street with
62,300 square feet of space and the addition of new automated
technologies. Additional plans for revitalizing downtown was addressed
at an October 1995 community Charette. By 1996 Corona's population
had topped 100,000 people, there were 32 Corona parks, a Senior
Center, gymnasium and 30 schools in the Corona Norco Unified School
District. The City also celebrated the Centennial of the City's
Incorporation with numerous events, parades, picnics, banquets and
ceremonial dedications to mark the City of Corona's 100th birthday.
The City of Corona has a remarkable and unique history. In order to
collect and preserve information about the community, the City of
Corona opened a Heritage Room at the Corona Public Library in
November 1980. Library staff and volunteers from the community and
the Heritage Committee work to collect, organize, display and
preserve materials relevant to the history of the city and immediate
environs. Collected items on display in the library's mezzanine and
available for research in the Heritage Room include maps,
photographs, original documents, artifacts, oral histories, videos and
books. The 2,400 square foot Heritage Room is open M-Th, noon to 8
pm, Fri and Sat, 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday closed. For additional
information please call (951) 736-2386.
The Legends of R. B. Taylor:
Stories from the Songer Collection
There are great stories and accounts about the man who founded the
City of Corona, his third city-building endeavor before the turn of the
century. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold, blossom and
flourish. He had incredible timing, and in some cases the good fortune
to have luck on his side. What follows here are true stories about the
many incidences that made him a legend, even in his own time. South
American Gold & Near Arrest! (Written by R. B. Taylor)
1898 January I made a trip alone to South America to see what the
prospects were for business and to examine some gold mine property.
On my return I stopped at Havana (sic) in Cuba which then belonged
to Spain but I had not seen any papers from United States and so
knew nothing about the trouble between the United States and Spain.
I arrived in Havana on April 2 and soon found out that it was too hot
for Americans. So, on April 4 to save my life I boarded an English ship
going to the United States. Three Spanish officers came to the ship to
arrest me as a spy but the Captain told them that I was same as on
(board), English and refused to allow my arrest - so, I got home by
way of New Orleans. Fourteen days later, war was declared on Spain
April 18.
Of Wanderlust, Sitting Bull & Lost Millions (R. B. Taylor)
The history of the Taylor families from the Colonial days of 1776 to
date shows that they were never satisfied remaining in one place for a
life time. But I will only speak of the last generation of my father's
Uncle John Taylor spent many years in the Sitting Bull Indian Country
of the North as a trapper of fur bearing animals and he was a dead
shot with the rifle and revolver and had a few Indian scalps to his
credit. Sitting Bull, the Indian Chief, tried (sic) to get him but failed
and he came home to die.
My father's brother when quite a young man went to Australia and
lived there many years to his death and never married and left a
fortune of value of near two million dollars but father had no notice of
his death for nearly four years after his death and the law there
provides that estates not claimed within two years -- it goes to the
Government.
Paid Three Bucks an Acre and Called a Fool (Account by Frank Rolfe)
In 1882 Mr. Taylor learned through a friend, A. S. Garretson, cashier
of the Sioux National Bank, of Sioux City, Iowa, that a new railroad
was about to be built on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River, which
would pass through Wayne county to Norfolk, Neb., and that a new
townsite to be called Wayne was being laid out about six miles west of
the county seat, Laport. At this time the settlement of the county --
some 225 population -- was located in and about Laport.
In January, 1882, Mr. Taylor drove a team to Sioux City, crossed the
river and continued on to Laport and beyond to the new townsite. After
looking over the country he decided that the rich prairies about Wayne
must make it a good farming section. He returned to Ida Grove and
explained the inducements of this new country to his father and
partner. Mr. McHugh, however, decided to remain in Ida Grove. Mr.
James Taylor, the father, who had recently lost his wife, decided to
join his son, and from that time until his death, in Corona, he
remained a member of his son's family.
Returning to Wayne, Mr. R. B. Taylor secured the names and
addresses of the land-owners in and about Wayne townsite and
succeeded in buying about sixteen hundred acres at an average price
of about $3.00 per acre. In March he sent teams with lumber and
hardware ahead to the location and followed himself with a good
team, spring wagon, two carpenters and a camping outfit and
supplies. He arrived at the townsite in a big blizzard, put up a tent for
the horses, spread a canvas over the wagons, under which he and his
men slept and ate until a building was completed. This was the first
house built in Wayne, Nebraska.
At this point in the interview Mr. Taylor related a little incident occurring
while he was erecting his office. Late one evening while his carpenters
were on the roof and he himself on the ground handing material to
the men, two men in a buggy drove up and stopped and inquired,
"Who is doing this building?"
"Oh, some fellow from the east," Mr. Taylor replied.
They then wanted to know for what it was intended. When told that the
party expected to go into the real estate business and also to start a
bank, one of them remarked that the builder was either a big fool, or
else he had a lot of nerve to start out in any business where there was
only the prospect of a railroad and not another building in sight. At
this point Mr. Taylor left them to prepare supper for his carpenters, as
it was quitting time.
As the men came down from the roof, the newcomers asked who was
the owner of the building. Not knowing of the previous conversation,
they answered, "That fellow over there, cooking supper."
The visitors came over, then, to apologize for their remarks. Mr.
Taylor told them that what they had said might prove true, and
insisted that they should stay in his camp until morning, as a big
storm was showing in the northwest. During the evening one of the
strangers asked Mr. Taylor if he would sell 160 acres of his Wayne
lands. When Mr. Taylor told him that he might have 160 acres about a
mile from the townsite for $7.50 an acre, the party answered at once,
"I'll take it. Send the deed to my bank at Omaha; I want to buy
something from a man who has the nerve to start a town in this lonely
spot."
Mr. Taylor advised the new purchaser to hold on to the land for four
years and he would probably be able to sell it for $100.00 an acre.
The buyer agreed and before the expiration of the four years refused
the price named -- an example of the foresight which has been one of
Mr. Taylor's best assets.
Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of
the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 124,966; a 2004
special census put the fast-growing city's population at 144,274. The
city of Norco lies to the northeast, Chino Hills and Yorba Linda to the
west, and the Cleveland National Forest to the southwest;
unincorporated areas of Riverside County line all of its other borders.
It is served by the Corona, Chino Valley, and Riverside freeways, as
well as the 91 Line of the Metrolink commuter rail system.
Corona was founded at the height of the Southern California citrus
boom in 1896, advantageously situated at the upper end of the Santa
Ana River Canyon, the only significant pass through the Santa Ana
Mountains. It derived its name (and its nickname, The Circle City)
from the curious layout of its streets, with a standard grid enclosed by
the circular Grand Boulevard. Prior to the 1980s, Corona was a largely
agricultural community, dominated by citrus orchards, ranches, and
dairy farms. Sky-high real estate prices in Los Angeles and Orange
counties made the area's cheap land desirable to developers and
industrialists, and by the late 1990s it was considered a major suburb
of Los Angeles. In recent years, Corona has changed from a working-
class bedroom community for Orange County and the larger cities of
the Inland Empire to a full-fledged edge city in its own right, with
industrial parks opening near Norco and luxury housing developments
rising in the foothills of the Santa Anas. The development of
commerce and industry in the city has been accelerated by congestion
on the Riverside Freeway, with many firms leaving northern Orange
County to be closer to their employees' homes in Corona and
Riverside. The construction of the Chino Valley Freeway nearby has
also linked Corona to the Pomona and San Gabriel valleys, with the
result that the once largely white and Latino city has experienced an
influx of Asian-American residents who commute to Asian-oriented
businesses in cities such as Alhambra and Diamond Bar. As with the
rest of the Inland Empire, Corona has also experienced an influx of
African Americans fleeing the continued decline of traditionally black
areas of South Los Angeles. The city of Corona has four main high
schools: Santiago, Corona, Centennial, and Buena Vista. One of
Corona's major employers is the Fender Musical Instrument
Corporation's main factory, which produces the U.S.-made models in
the company's storied line, and also contains Fender's guitar and
amplification custom shops. Corona is also the home of the Golden
Cheese Company of California, and the Fender Center for Music
Education, more commonly known as the Fender Museum.
Corona was also home to the Corona road race, a Grand Prix race in
the early 20th Century.
Geography
Corona is located at 33°52′12″N, 117°34′4″W (33.869998,
-117.567783)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total
area of 91.1 km² (35.2 mi²). 91.0 km² (35.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.1
km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.06%) is water. Corona has experienced a
recent real estate boom with home resale values not uncommonly
reaching into the millions. It is a bordering town to Yorba Linda, an
upper class Eastern Orange County neighborhood. Many people have
made a lot of money on their homes in South Orange County and
moved into Corona, particularly South Corona, where a boom of
extremely nice new homes have been built. There is a large amount
of commuting done by Corona residents thanks to its Orange County
Toll Road system.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 124,966 people, 37,839
households, and 30,384 families residing in the city. The population
density was 1,372.7/km² (3,555.5/mi²). There were 39,271 housing
units at an average density of 431.4/km² (1,117.3/mi²). The racial
makeup of the city was 62.03% White, 6.43% Black or African
American, 0.87% Native American, 7.54% Asian, 0.31% Pacific
Islander, 17.52% from other races, and 5.30% from two or more
races. 35.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 37,839 households out of which 49.6% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living
together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present,
and 19.7% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up
of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years
of age or older. The average household size was 3.29 and the
average family size was 3.64.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of
18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64,
and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30
years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,615, and the
median income for a family was $63,505. Males had a median income
of $44,752 versus $31,884 for females. The per capita income for the
city was $21,001. About 6.0% of families and 8.3% of the population
were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18
and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
The History of Corona
by Gloria Scott Freel, Former Heritage Room Supervisor, Corona Public
Library
The City of Corona is located approximately 45 miles southeast of Los
Angeles in western Riverside County. The community is ideally
situated at the base of the mountainous Cleveland National Forest on
an alluvial plain leading down or north to the Santa Ana River. In 1996
the city population will reach over 100,000 and the city limits cover
approximately 32.83 square miles, and this grows continuously
through annexations. The mean temperature in January has averaged
51.6 degrees, and in July 74.8 degrees. Rainfall averages 2.71 inches
in January and .01 in July. Corona is a General Law City. Five Corona
citizens make up the Corona City Council and each is elected to a four
year term of office.
Historically, the area has many significant features. The Luiseño
Indians, the site of the first Spanish family to settle in Riverside
County, the Temescal Tin Mines, and some of the best clay and
mineral deposits in the United States are located here. Also, the
renowned circular Grand Boulevard where three international road
racing events took place in 1913, 1914 and 1916. The first lemon
processing plant in the country was built here in 1915 and the world's
largest cheese plant was opened on Lincoln Avenue in 1985 where the
Desi Arnaz horse ranch had once stood.
The local Luiseño Indians were known as hunters and gatherers. They
hunted for such animals as black bear, snakes, rodents, coyote,
rabbits, birds and fish. They made straw baskets from wild grasses,
constructed clay containers and gathered acorns, seeds, wild berries
and roots for food. These Native Americans were very clean, and used
the hot waters in the Temescal Canyon to bathe on a daily basis and
as part of their religious ceremonies. (Current residents and visitors
still enjoy the rejuvenating mud baths and hot springs at the Glen Ivy
resort.) Luiseño religious ceremonies were strictly followed and
remnants of some of their artistic pictographs and petroglyphs can still
be found on some of the rocks in the undeveloped areas.
These Indian tribes came under the influence of the Spanish settlers
at the Mission San Luis Rey, and they were given the name Luiseño.
As Spanish settlement progressed inland, the land soon was taken
over by Spanish ranchos. Sheep and cattle dotted the hills from
ranchos run by the Serrano, Cot, Sepulveda and Botiller families.
Remnants of the Serrano tanning vats are still found on Old Temescal
Canyon Road. This is also the route that was taken by the Butterfield
Stage Route that brought many Americans to California along the
southern route between 1858 and 1861. Plaques marking the sites of
Indian petroglyphs, the Butterfield Stage stops and the Serrano
adobes are still found along this road.
In 1886, developer Robert Taylor persuaded his partners, Rimpau,
Joy, Garretson and Merrill to form the South Riverside Land and Water
Company. Together they raised approximately $110,000 to purchase
approximately 12,000 acres of good agricultural land. Taylor realized
the importance of water for the soon to be developed community, and
additional funds were used to ensure that sufficient water rights were
obtained. Taylor hired Anaheim engineer H. C. Kellogg to design a
circular Grand Boulevard three miles round. Early residents used to
parade their fancy buggies on this circular street that enclosed the
main functions of the community: schools, churches, residences and
stores. To the north along the railroad tracks were the manufacturing
plants and packing houses. The southern end of town was left to the
citrus industry, and the mining companies were established just
outside the cities southeastern and eastern city limits.
The town's founders initially named their development South Riverside
after the successful citrus community of Riverside, just a few miles
away. Almost all of the new settlers planted orange and lemon trees in
hopes of gaining future profits. New groves continued to spring up and
by 1912 there were 5,000 acres of established lemon and orange
groves. By 1913 Corona shipped more fruit than any other town in
Southern California. In 1961 citrus was still considered the backbone
of Corona's economy, and the largest source of revenue. In that year
citrus covered 7500 acres. The labor force fluctuated between 400 and
1800 workers at the peak of the harvest. An additional 500 people
worked at the Exchange Lemon Products plant. By 1982 Corona's
agricultural industry faced a bleak future as "production costs made
the economics of farming only fair or poor." Plans were begun to
replace the groves with approximately 12,500 dwelling units.
Since Corona's 1900 population of 1434, there have been numerous
changes. On July 13, 1896 residents voted to incorporate and change
the name of the community to Corona, which is Spanish for crown, in
honor of the City's circular Grand Boulevard. On September 9, 1913, in
observance of California's Admissions Day, Corona residents
celebrated with an international automobile race on the Boulevard.
The event attracted such auto racing greats of Ralph De Palma,
Barney Oldfield, Terrible Teddy Tetzlaff and Earl Cooper. More than
100,000 people came to the town of 4,000 to watch Cooper win the
race and a prize of $8,250. It was so successful that races were held
again in 1914 and 1916. The demise of the road races were due not
only to the tragic deaths which occurred in 1916, but because of the
cost and local effort needed to stage such an extravagant event.
During the teens and twenties, Corona citizens built numerous
churches, a library and a new city hall. By 1915 the production of
lemons was exceeding national demand, and local businessmen
worked together to form the first Lemon Exchange By-Products
Company in the United States. Located on Joy and the railroad tracks,
this co-operative was eventually bought out by Sunkist. In 1954 they
employed over 700 people and marketed a variety of lemon products
for worldwide disbursement. The plant produced citric acid, lemon oil,
lemon juice and pectin which helped Corona gain the nickname
"Lemon Capital of the world." As housing developments began to
overtake the Southern California citrus orchards, Sunkist found that
the lack of a local supply was forcing them to move. They closed the
Corona plant in 1982.
Mining has always played a secondary but vital role to the more
prominent citrus industry. Now that citrus has declined and the mines
remain, they have again become a focal point in Corona industry.
Historically this area is known for having the only productive tin mine
in the country, and it produced tin until 1893. Other more successful
mining ventures included the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
Company (previously Blue Diamond mine,) the Pacific Clay Company
(organized in 1886,) Redlands Clay Tile, Maruhachi Ceramics, Monier
Roof Tile and U.S. Tile. By 1954 the city had more than 11,000
inhabitants and was home to such industries as the Corona Clipper
Company, Liston Brick Company, Borden Food Products and Tillotsen
Refractories. The only oil wells in Riverside County were located in this
area.
Agriculture has always played a significant role in Corona's history. The
land to the northwest was more suitable for alfalfa, grin, sugar beets,
tomatoes, beans, walnuts and dairy land as far back as 1914. In the
1930s the average dairy consisted of 5-10 acres with 35 to 70 cows. By
1982 operations had become highly mechanized with almost 500 cows
per 60 to 200 acres. With increased development the future of
agricultural pursuits within the city limits is significantly decreasing.
As Southern California began to grow, so did Corona. The Riverside
Freeway (Highway 91) was constructed through Corona in 1962.
Downtown Corona went through urban renewal in the late 60s and 70s,
razing the old and putting in a new downtown. By 1989, the I-15went
in to the east of town, and development of Sierra del Oro, Corona Hills
and South Corona were in full gear. New commercial developments
began opening on Lincoln Avenue, McKinley Avenue and in Sierra del
Oro. Price Club, Walmart, and the new auto mall became important
parts of the city's revitalization. In June 1993 the City opened the
newly redone Corona Public Library at 650 South Main Street with
62,300 square feet of space and the addition of new automated
technologies. Additional plans for revitalizing downtown was addressed
at an October 1995 community Charette. By 1996 Corona's population
had topped 100,000 people, there were 32 Corona parks, a Senior
Center, gymnasium and 30 schools in the Corona Norco Unified School
District. The City also celebrated the Centennial of the City's
Incorporation with numerous events, parades, picnics, banquets and
ceremonial dedications to mark the City of Corona's 100th birthday.
The City of Corona has a remarkable and unique history. In order to
collect and preserve information about the community, the City of
Corona opened a Heritage Room at the Corona Public Library in
November 1980. Library staff and volunteers from the community and
the Heritage Committee work to collect, organize, display and
preserve materials relevant to the history of the city and immediate
environs. Collected items on display in the library's mezzanine and
available for research in the Heritage Room include maps,
photographs, original documents, artifacts, oral histories, videos and
books. The 2,400 square foot Heritage Room is open M-Th, noon to 8
pm, Fri and Sat, 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday closed. For additional
information please call (951) 736-2386.
The Legends of R. B. Taylor:
Stories from the Songer Collection
There are great stories and accounts about the man who founded the
City of Corona, his third city-building endeavor before the turn of the
century. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold, blossom and
flourish. He had incredible timing, and in some cases the good fortune
to have luck on his side. What follows here are true stories about the
many incidences that made him a legend, even in his own time. South
American Gold & Near Arrest! (Written by R. B. Taylor)
1898 January I made a trip alone to South America to see what the
prospects were for business and to examine some gold mine property.
On my return I stopped at Havana (sic) in Cuba which then belonged
to Spain but I had not seen any papers from United States and so
knew nothing about the trouble between the United States and Spain.
I arrived in Havana on April 2 and soon found out that it was too hot
for Americans. So, on April 4 to save my life I boarded an English ship
going to the United States. Three Spanish officers came to the ship to
arrest me as a spy but the Captain told them that I was same as on
(board), English and refused to allow my arrest - so, I got home by
way of New Orleans. Fourteen days later, war was declared on Spain
April 18.
Of Wanderlust, Sitting Bull & Lost Millions (R. B. Taylor)
The history of the Taylor families from the Colonial days of 1776 to
date shows that they were never satisfied remaining in one place for a
life time. But I will only speak of the last generation of my father's
Uncle John Taylor spent many years in the Sitting Bull Indian Country
of the North as a trapper of fur bearing animals and he was a dead
shot with the rifle and revolver and had a few Indian scalps to his
credit. Sitting Bull, the Indian Chief, tried (sic) to get him but failed
and he came home to die.
My father's brother when quite a young man went to Australia and
lived there many years to his death and never married and left a
fortune of value of near two million dollars but father had no notice of
his death for nearly four years after his death and the law there
provides that estates not claimed within two years -- it goes to the
Government.
Paid Three Bucks an Acre and Called a Fool (Account by Frank Rolfe)
In 1882 Mr. Taylor learned through a friend, A. S. Garretson, cashier
of the Sioux National Bank, of Sioux City, Iowa, that a new railroad
was about to be built on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River, which
would pass through Wayne county to Norfolk, Neb., and that a new
townsite to be called Wayne was being laid out about six miles west of
the county seat, Laport. At this time the settlement of the county --
some 225 population -- was located in and about Laport.
In January, 1882, Mr. Taylor drove a team to Sioux City, crossed the
river and continued on to Laport and beyond to the new townsite. After
looking over the country he decided that the rich prairies about Wayne
must make it a good farming section. He returned to Ida Grove and
explained the inducements of this new country to his father and
partner. Mr. McHugh, however, decided to remain in Ida Grove. Mr.
James Taylor, the father, who had recently lost his wife, decided to
join his son, and from that time until his death, in Corona, he
remained a member of his son's family.
Returning to Wayne, Mr. R. B. Taylor secured the names and
addresses of the land-owners in and about Wayne townsite and
succeeded in buying about sixteen hundred acres at an average price
of about $3.00 per acre. In March he sent teams with lumber and
hardware ahead to the location and followed himself with a good
team, spring wagon, two carpenters and a camping outfit and
supplies. He arrived at the townsite in a big blizzard, put up a tent for
the horses, spread a canvas over the wagons, under which he and his
men slept and ate until a building was completed. This was the first
house built in Wayne, Nebraska.
At this point in the interview Mr. Taylor related a little incident occurring
while he was erecting his office. Late one evening while his carpenters
were on the roof and he himself on the ground handing material to
the men, two men in a buggy drove up and stopped and inquired,
"Who is doing this building?"
"Oh, some fellow from the east," Mr. Taylor replied.
They then wanted to know for what it was intended. When told that the
party expected to go into the real estate business and also to start a
bank, one of them remarked that the builder was either a big fool, or
else he had a lot of nerve to start out in any business where there was
only the prospect of a railroad and not another building in sight. At
this point Mr. Taylor left them to prepare supper for his carpenters, as
it was quitting time.
As the men came down from the roof, the newcomers asked who was
the owner of the building. Not knowing of the previous conversation,
they answered, "That fellow over there, cooking supper."
The visitors came over, then, to apologize for their remarks. Mr.
Taylor told them that what they had said might prove true, and
insisted that they should stay in his camp until morning, as a big
storm was showing in the northwest. During the evening one of the
strangers asked Mr. Taylor if he would sell 160 acres of his Wayne
lands. When Mr. Taylor told him that he might have 160 acres about a
mile from the townsite for $7.50 an acre, the party answered at once,
"I'll take it. Send the deed to my bank at Omaha; I want to buy
something from a man who has the nerve to start a town in this lonely
spot."
Mr. Taylor advised the new purchaser to hold on to the land for four
years and he would probably be able to sell it for $100.00 an acre.
The buyer agreed and before the expiration of the four years refused
the price named -- an example of the foresight which has been one of
Mr. Taylor's best assets.
