Monday, March 28, 2011

Why West Riverside?

One of the most common questions I get asked about Jurupa history is why our area became known as West Riverside? It is more north of Riverside than west and it was here before Riverside. First, lets deal with the "west" part. If you look at a map of the area and consider where downtown Riverside is, the Rubidoux area across the river is more towards the west than the north, due to the course of the Santa Ana River through that area.

A subdivision map called the "Map of West Riverside" was created in the late 1880s. It consisted of lots of 5 to 20 acres in size. Using today’s landmarks, this area stretched from approximately the intersection of Rubidoux Boulevard and 20th Street southwest to the southern terminus of Opal Avenue (later Opal Street).  Both Opal Avenue and Pacific Avenue, which exist today, are named on the map.

Riverside was the "big city" in the area at that point in time while the other side of the river, our side, was rural. All developers worth their salt will try to attach their subdivision to the most well known place in the area, and so we got West Riverside.  

Monday, March 14, 2011

A few things have changed since 1942!

In July 1942, a telephone and business directory was published for the West Riverside Township by our local newspaper, the Times-Democrat, whose office was located  on Mission Boulevard in West Riverside (now Rubidoux). I managed to buy a copy of this directory off of ebay a few years ago.

On page two of the directory is a discussion of the West Riverside Township (not to be confused with the community of West Riverside). A township was a local governmental entity that was usually used in rural areas. The directory says that the West Riverside Township included all the Jurupa area except the area south of Limonite Street in Mira Loma, in other words that portion of Mira Loma that was par tof the Eastvale School District and is now located in the Corona-Norco School District. The directory said that the area had over 100 places of business, over 3000 registered voters, and a population of nearly 7000 people.

I don't know how many businesses Jurupa Valley has but I do know that we now have over 30,000 registered voters and a population of just over 100,000. Just a wee bit of growth in 69 years! 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Making History!

Last night was incredible! Over 150 people gatherd at Indian Hills Country Club to watch the election results come in for the big cityhood election. WOW! While I usually write about things in this blog that happened more than 24 hours ago, Jurupa Valley becoming a city is certainly a historic moment which deserves a post on a blog about Jurupa history!

The atmosphere in the room was fantastic! A great cross section of the citizens of our fair city were represented. We were thrilled to find out the results of the election: Measure A passed; our city council will be choosen "at large"; and our new city council will consist of Laura Roughton, Verne Lauritzen, Mike Goodland, Frank Johnston, and Brad Hancock. Laura, as the top vote getter, will also serve as the very first mayor of Jurupa Valley.

After all the work that the Yes on Measure A Committe put into this election, I think we were all thrilled and a little numb! I say "we" because I was a member of that committee. As someone who loves Jurupa history, it was a bit surreal to realize I not only was witnessing a historic moment, but played a small part in making that historic moment happen.

We were joined last night by two of the proponents of the last incorporation try, almost twenty years ago. Barbara Veitch and Ed Hawkins were there to see cityhood finally arrive in Jurupa.

As I said in my last post, I spent another momentous election night in that same room when my dad, Don Jarrell, was elected to the Jurupa Unified School District board. Last night I was so happy that Emma Jane Kuma, a dear dear friend of my parents, joined us to celebrate the successful cityhood election. Two elections, 32 years apart!

This morning when I ventured out to work I have to say, seeing my new city for the first time in the light of a new day, it looked brighter somehow. The colors were richer, everthing glowed just a little bit. I know, it sounds crazy! But when I came back home tonight, I found the same thing happening! I think the election victory is affecting my vision, in a good way!

I promise that the next post will be about something other than cityhood.