Riverside, California
Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County, California, United
States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of
255,166. The city is a focus city of the Greater Los Angeles Area. A
July 1, 2004 Census estimate put the fast-growing city's population at
288,384, making it the largest city in the Inland Empire Region and
the 12th largest municipality in the state of California.
Features
Riverside is home to the University of California, Riverside. The
University of California, Riverside, Botanic Gardens contains 40 acres
(162,000 m²) of unusual plants, with four miles of walking trails. The
city prides itself on its historic connection to the navel orange, which
was introduced to North America from Brazil by the first settlers to
Riverside in 1873. Riverside is home to the one surviving Parent Navel
Orange Tree, from which all American West Coast navel orange trees
are descended.
History
Riverside's downtown area is known as the "Mission Inn District", after
the Mission Inn, a hotel that was modeled after the missions left
along the California coast by Franciscan friars in the 18th century.
However, no missionaries of the era actually came as far inland as
Riverside. After secularization of the missions, the land was
designated Rancho Jurupa and was purchased in 1848 from Don Yorba
by Benjamin Wilson who later married Yorba's daughter Ramona.
The city was founded in the 1880s by John W. North, a staunch
temperance-minded abolitionist from Tennessee, who had previously
founded Northfield, Minnesota. A few years after, the navel orange was
planted and found to be such a success that full-scale planting
started. Riverside was temperance minded (few saloons if any were
allowed in Riverside proper), and Republican. Investors from England
and Canada transplanted traditions and activities adopted by
prosperous citizens. As a result, the first golf course and polo field in
Southern California were built in Riverside.
The first orange trees were planted in 1871, but the citrus industry
Riverside is famous for began two years later when Eliza Tibbets
received two Brazilian navel orange trees sent to her by a friend at the
Department of Agriculture in Washington. The trees thrived in the
Southern California climate and the navel orange industry grew
rapidly. Within a few years, the successful cultivation of the newly
discovered navel orange led to a California Gold Rush of a different
kind: the establishment of the citrus industry, which is commemorated
in the landscapes and exhibits of the California Citrus State Historic
Park and the restored packing houses in the Downtown's Marketplace
district. By 1882, there were more than half a million citrus trees in
California, almost half of which were in Riverside. The development of
refrigerated railroad cars and innovative irrigation systems established
Riverside as the wealthiest city per capita by 1895.
As the city prospered, a small guest hotel designed in the popular
Mission Revival style grew to become the world famous Mission Inn,
favored by presidents, royalty and movie stars. Inside was housed a
special chair made for the sizeable President Taft. Postcards of lush
orange groves, swimming pools and magnificent homes have
attracted vacationers and entrepreneurs throughout the years. Many
relocated to the warm, dry climate for reasons of health and to escape
Eastern winters. Victoria Avenue with its landmark homes serves as a
reminder of European investors who settled here.
In 1915 a Japanese immigrant named Jukichi Harada, proprietor for
many years of a local restaurant, purchased a home in Riverside in
the names of his American-born children in order to provide access for
them to the public school system. Neighbors formed a committee and
charged him with violating the California Alien Land Law of 1913, which
barred aliens ineligible for citizenship from owning land. The case, The
People of the State of California v. Jukichi Harada, became a test of
the constitutionality of the law and progressed to the state Supreme
Court, where the Haradas won. The Metropolitan Museum of Riverside
now owns the house, which has been designated a National Historic
Landmark.
At the entrance to Riverside from the 60 freeway sits Fairmount Park.
This extensive urban oasis was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead
Jr. Slightly fraying around the edges, it still has a lovely, stocked
pond, and many species of birds. Nearby, on private land, is the
former site of Spring Rancheria, a Cahuilla village.
Downtown Riverside used to boast one of the largest Chinatowns in
California, but the last resident, Mr. Wong, died in the 1970s and the
remaining (decrepit) buildings were razed. Extensive archaeological
excavation took place in the 1980s, and many artifacts are housed at
the (newly re-named) Metropolitan Museum across from the Mission
Inn Hotel.
To the east of downtown is the originally named "Eastside" which grew
out of a colonia inhabited by Mexican immigrant workers in the
Orange groves. That tradition continues today, with Oaxacan workers
in the place of Spanish speakers. Michael Kearney, an anthropologist
at University of California, Riverside, refers to this vast transnational
labor space as "Oaxacalifornia."
Settlements of Japanese and Korean immigrants used to exist along
the railroad tracks, which would fill with thousands of workers during
the citrus harvest. None of these are left now, but the Santa Fe depot,
like several others in the Inland Empire, has been restored to its turn-
of-the-century glory.
At the intersection of Howard and 12th sits the last remnants of a
formerly thriving African-American neighborhood -- The old Wiley
Grocery store now houses the activities of 'Black' Elks club members.
Nearby is the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a pilgrimage site
complete with shrine. Built and destroyed three times, the current
incarnation dates from the 1920s.
Riverside was the home of the Riverside International Raceway, which
has long been defunct.
Colleges and universities
The city of Riverside is served by several institutions of higher
learning:
University of California, Riverside
California Baptist University
La Sierra University
Riverside Community College
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total
area of 203.0 km² (78.4 mi²). 202.3 km² (78.1 mi²) of it is land and
0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.36% water.
Environment
The Riverside area is referred to as a “smog belt” because of its
above-average level of air pollution. In a comparison by the National
Campaign Against Dirty Air Power (2003), the Riverside-San
Bernardino-Ontario area was found to be the most polluted region
based on year-round soot measurements when compared to other U.
S. cities. In fact, the New England Journal of Medicine (2004)
published results from a longitudinal study comparing pollution in
southern California communities with lung health in children. Not only
did the authors find that Riverside pollution levels were amongst the
highest, but they also found a significant correlation with "clinically
important deficits in lung function [in children]," that is, Riverside air is
so toxic that it can damage lungs in kids[1]. [NEJM 2004;351:1057-
1067]
A General Plan for the city was prepared in the year 1994 and updated
in 2004. This documentation set forth broad planning goals for the city
and specifically included Housing, Transportation, Noise, Seismic
safety, Natural resources and all other State of California mandated
Elements.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 255,166 people, 82,005
households, and 58,141 families residing in the city. The population
density was 1,261.5/km² (3,267.2/mi²). There were 85,974 housing
units at an average density of 425.0/km² (1,100.8/mi²). The racial
makeup of the city was 59.32% White, 7.41% African American, 1.09%
Native American, 5.68% Asian, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 21.00% from
other races, and 5.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of
any race were 38.14% of the population.
There were 82,005 households out of which 39.8% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living
together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present,
29.1% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of
individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone 65 or older. The
average household size was 3.02 and average family size 3.54.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of
18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64,
and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30
years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,646, and the
median income for a family was $47,254. Males had a median income
of $36,920 versus $28,328 for females. The per capita income for the
city was $17,882. About 11.7% of families and 15.8% of the
population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those
under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Landmark
Riverside is home of the historic Mission Inn.
Also, it is the home of the World's Largest Paper Cup which is over
three stories. There is a warehouse/manufacturing building right
behind it. It is made of painted concrete.
Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County, California, United
States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of
255,166. The city is a focus city of the Greater Los Angeles Area. A
July 1, 2004 Census estimate put the fast-growing city's population at
288,384, making it the largest city in the Inland Empire Region and
the 12th largest municipality in the state of California.
Features
Riverside is home to the University of California, Riverside. The
University of California, Riverside, Botanic Gardens contains 40 acres
(162,000 m²) of unusual plants, with four miles of walking trails. The
city prides itself on its historic connection to the navel orange, which
was introduced to North America from Brazil by the first settlers to
Riverside in 1873. Riverside is home to the one surviving Parent Navel
Orange Tree, from which all American West Coast navel orange trees
are descended.
History
Riverside's downtown area is known as the "Mission Inn District", after
the Mission Inn, a hotel that was modeled after the missions left
along the California coast by Franciscan friars in the 18th century.
However, no missionaries of the era actually came as far inland as
Riverside. After secularization of the missions, the land was
designated Rancho Jurupa and was purchased in 1848 from Don Yorba
by Benjamin Wilson who later married Yorba's daughter Ramona.
The city was founded in the 1880s by John W. North, a staunch
temperance-minded abolitionist from Tennessee, who had previously
founded Northfield, Minnesota. A few years after, the navel orange was
planted and found to be such a success that full-scale planting
started. Riverside was temperance minded (few saloons if any were
allowed in Riverside proper), and Republican. Investors from England
and Canada transplanted traditions and activities adopted by
prosperous citizens. As a result, the first golf course and polo field in
Southern California were built in Riverside.
The first orange trees were planted in 1871, but the citrus industry
Riverside is famous for began two years later when Eliza Tibbets
received two Brazilian navel orange trees sent to her by a friend at the
Department of Agriculture in Washington. The trees thrived in the
Southern California climate and the navel orange industry grew
rapidly. Within a few years, the successful cultivation of the newly
discovered navel orange led to a California Gold Rush of a different
kind: the establishment of the citrus industry, which is commemorated
in the landscapes and exhibits of the California Citrus State Historic
Park and the restored packing houses in the Downtown's Marketplace
district. By 1882, there were more than half a million citrus trees in
California, almost half of which were in Riverside. The development of
refrigerated railroad cars and innovative irrigation systems established
Riverside as the wealthiest city per capita by 1895.
As the city prospered, a small guest hotel designed in the popular
Mission Revival style grew to become the world famous Mission Inn,
favored by presidents, royalty and movie stars. Inside was housed a
special chair made for the sizeable President Taft. Postcards of lush
orange groves, swimming pools and magnificent homes have
attracted vacationers and entrepreneurs throughout the years. Many
relocated to the warm, dry climate for reasons of health and to escape
Eastern winters. Victoria Avenue with its landmark homes serves as a
reminder of European investors who settled here.
In 1915 a Japanese immigrant named Jukichi Harada, proprietor for
many years of a local restaurant, purchased a home in Riverside in
the names of his American-born children in order to provide access for
them to the public school system. Neighbors formed a committee and
charged him with violating the California Alien Land Law of 1913, which
barred aliens ineligible for citizenship from owning land. The case, The
People of the State of California v. Jukichi Harada, became a test of
the constitutionality of the law and progressed to the state Supreme
Court, where the Haradas won. The Metropolitan Museum of Riverside
now owns the house, which has been designated a National Historic
Landmark.
At the entrance to Riverside from the 60 freeway sits Fairmount Park.
This extensive urban oasis was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead
Jr. Slightly fraying around the edges, it still has a lovely, stocked
pond, and many species of birds. Nearby, on private land, is the
former site of Spring Rancheria, a Cahuilla village.
Downtown Riverside used to boast one of the largest Chinatowns in
California, but the last resident, Mr. Wong, died in the 1970s and the
remaining (decrepit) buildings were razed. Extensive archaeological
excavation took place in the 1980s, and many artifacts are housed at
the (newly re-named) Metropolitan Museum across from the Mission
Inn Hotel.
To the east of downtown is the originally named "Eastside" which grew
out of a colonia inhabited by Mexican immigrant workers in the
Orange groves. That tradition continues today, with Oaxacan workers
in the place of Spanish speakers. Michael Kearney, an anthropologist
at University of California, Riverside, refers to this vast transnational
labor space as "Oaxacalifornia."
Settlements of Japanese and Korean immigrants used to exist along
the railroad tracks, which would fill with thousands of workers during
the citrus harvest. None of these are left now, but the Santa Fe depot,
like several others in the Inland Empire, has been restored to its turn-
of-the-century glory.
At the intersection of Howard and 12th sits the last remnants of a
formerly thriving African-American neighborhood -- The old Wiley
Grocery store now houses the activities of 'Black' Elks club members.
Nearby is the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a pilgrimage site
complete with shrine. Built and destroyed three times, the current
incarnation dates from the 1920s.
Riverside was the home of the Riverside International Raceway, which
has long been defunct.
Colleges and universities
The city of Riverside is served by several institutions of higher
learning:
University of California, Riverside
California Baptist University
La Sierra University
Riverside Community College
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total
area of 203.0 km² (78.4 mi²). 202.3 km² (78.1 mi²) of it is land and
0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.36% water.
Environment
The Riverside area is referred to as a “smog belt” because of its
above-average level of air pollution. In a comparison by the National
Campaign Against Dirty Air Power (2003), the Riverside-San
Bernardino-Ontario area was found to be the most polluted region
based on year-round soot measurements when compared to other U.
S. cities. In fact, the New England Journal of Medicine (2004)
published results from a longitudinal study comparing pollution in
southern California communities with lung health in children. Not only
did the authors find that Riverside pollution levels were amongst the
highest, but they also found a significant correlation with "clinically
important deficits in lung function [in children]," that is, Riverside air is
so toxic that it can damage lungs in kids[1]. [NEJM 2004;351:1057-
1067]
A General Plan for the city was prepared in the year 1994 and updated
in 2004. This documentation set forth broad planning goals for the city
and specifically included Housing, Transportation, Noise, Seismic
safety, Natural resources and all other State of California mandated
Elements.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 255,166 people, 82,005
households, and 58,141 families residing in the city. The population
density was 1,261.5/km² (3,267.2/mi²). There were 85,974 housing
units at an average density of 425.0/km² (1,100.8/mi²). The racial
makeup of the city was 59.32% White, 7.41% African American, 1.09%
Native American, 5.68% Asian, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 21.00% from
other races, and 5.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of
any race were 38.14% of the population.
There were 82,005 households out of which 39.8% had children under
the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living
together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present,
29.1% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of
individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone 65 or older. The
average household size was 3.02 and average family size 3.54.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of
18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64,
and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30
years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,646, and the
median income for a family was $47,254. Males had a median income
of $36,920 versus $28,328 for females. The per capita income for the
city was $17,882. About 11.7% of families and 15.8% of the
population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those
under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Landmark
Riverside is home of the historic Mission Inn.
Also, it is the home of the World's Largest Paper Cup which is over
three stories. There is a warehouse/manufacturing building right
behind it. It is made of painted concrete.
