Moving Picture Machine

According to the Riverside Daily Press in February 1924 the West Riverside school purchased a moving picture machine. They must have been given some sort of payment plan because the school was able to take possession of the machine before it was paid off. In order to finish paying for the device moving picture shows were given at the school. The plan was to have shows for the public every two weeks. On Fed 22^nd the show began at 7 pm. A two reel film showing the undersea gardens at Catalina was shown followed by a four reel picture called “Slumberland." A standard reel at that time had about eleven minutes of film on it so the first film would have been about 22 minutes long and the second about 44 minutes long. The school planned on using the motion picture machine in school work and it was expected to be a splendid addition to the school equipment.

Early Entertainment

The Riverside Enterprise reported that on May 1st, 1895 a man by the name of Mr. McBurney gave a magic lantern show at the Union school house, located in today's Mira Loma. There was only a small crowd in attendance at the school that night due to the inclement weather. However, it was reported that everyone present enjoyed the views very much. The night before Mr. McBurney had given the same show at the West Riverside school house to a large audience.

A magic lantern was what we would think of today as a slide projector. A light was shown through a slide and the "magic lantern," through the use of mirrors, would project an enlarged picture on a screen. The slides used were color and the color was applied by hand. By the end of the 19th century magic lanterns came in all sizes and where used for entertainment in the home, in schools, churches, clubs, etc.... Magic lanterns are considered the precursor to modern movies.

Funny Things Found While Writing Wicked Jurupa Valley Part III

While researching local history for my upcoming book Wicked Jurupa Valley: Murder and Misdeeds in Rural Southern California I discovered some funny (by funny I mean odd) things stuck back in your local history. One of the stories in the book is about a particular time in the history of the bridge that takes us all across the Santa Ana from Rubidoux to Riverside. Now, you may be wondering what a story about a bridge is doing in a book with the subtitle "Murder and Misdeeds." Well, you will be surprised to find out that I found stories of arson, spies, and a rampaging Mother Nature! It was certainly a surprise to me!   I look forward to you getting to read about the Rubidoux bridge and everything else when the book comes out in June!

Funny Things Found While Writing Wicked Jurupa Valley, Part II

So, I was doing research, minding my own business, when I come across a story of manslaughter and mistresses, oh my! One of the things that I found amazing is that this story of questionable goings on occurred at a place called the Jurupa Rancho. I had never heard of it!!!! Yet, in newspaper stories of the time (1948-49) this Jurupa Rancho had a house that was considered quite the place! According to the newspaper, the house on the Jurupa Rancho had "long been regarded as one of the show spots of Riverside County." This house is still located on Pedley Road near the 60 Freeway. I can't wait for all of you to read the story of this murder trial, one that was considered to be the the most sensational since the Wineville Chicken Coop murders.