First Neon Sign

It was reported in the October 28, 1932 Riverside Daily Press that the first neon sign had been installed in West Riverside (now Rubidoux). Dr. S.H. Walkerdine, veterinary surgeon, installed the sign at his business in the Fort Fremont area of that community.

This Day in History - September 22, 1897

A quiet wedding was held at the home of Mrs. J.R. Johnson in West Riverside on this date. The bride was Mrs. Johnson's cousin, Mrs. M.E. Wertz of Minneapolis. The groom was H.L. Hopkins of the firm of  Hopkins and Austin in Riverside. The happy couple managed to keep the event secret from all but a few people. They were able to keep the local papers in the dark until after the event by taking out the wedding licence until just before the clerk's office closed. Mr. Hopkins was at the time a popular and successful businessman in Riverside.   

This Date in History - September 17, 1942

Mavis Fern Bachhofer was languishing in jail after she was arrested on the charge of assault with a deadly weapon against Eva Crimble of West Riverside. The assault occurred when the two women got into an argument at the cafe owned by Mrs. Crimble.

Bachhofer was arrested a few days after the assault in Los Angeles. She had some time before suffered the loss of her right arm and was supposedly in LA trying to get an artificial arm when officers arrested her.

Another Book Signing Scheduled!!!

I have another Wicked Jurupa Valley book signing scheduled at the Costco in Rancho Cucamonga. It is on 4th Street near the 15 freeway. I will be there Saturday October 13th from 11am until 1pm. I have never done a Costco book signing before so stop on by and see how I hock my wares with a crowd whose main thought is to get in and out of the giant warehouse with 100 rolls of TP! LOL! 

This Date in History - September 11, 1939

Streater's grocery men softball team palyed the team from First Baptist Church of Riverside. The game was held at the Mira Loma ball grounds, located at Jurupa Road and Etiwanda Avenue. The game took place at 7:30 p.m. 

This Date in History - September 7, 1917

The following ad appeared in the West Riverside Daily Press:

For Exchange - 9 acres, 5 acres in alfalfa, large garden with berries, asparagus, grapes, etc., chicken yards and houses for 1000 chickens, balance for garden truck. Pumping plant  with abundance of water: fine soft soil. Six room house wth hot and cold water. West Riverside on Fourth Street between B and C sts., near car line. Want a 6 or 7 room cottage, large lot, good location. Telephone Mission 836 R1.  

Fourth Street is now 24th Street, B Street is now Rubidoux Boulvard, and C street is now Hall Avenue, placing this property in what we now think of as the community of Belltown.