Save Jurupa Valley

I feel like saving my city is a bit like saving my history. It is a fact of life that the preservation of history happens when there is a governmental entity that wants to save it. Unlike our neighboring county of San Bernardino,. the forefathers of Riverside County have never seen fit to create a County museum.   Therefore the history of my long time unincorporated area is scattered here and there in various libraries and achives, or, much worse, was thrown out over the years. Excuse me a moment while I weep for that lost history. Sniff!

But now, Jurupa Valley is a city. I feel confident that, with time, more and more historic preservation will occur just because we are a city. However, that very cityhood is in danger of disappearing. The state of California took away 47% of our first year budget, just like that, leaving my city in a desperate financial situation.

A small goup of us has formed a community based nonprofit called Save Jurupa Valley. Our organization's only purpose is to raise money to save our city. Please feel free to look at our brand new website at www.savejurupavalley. If you can donate or pledge, even a small amount, please do. Pennies can add up to millions! Even more, please pass our website address on to as many people as possible. We want the world to know that the newest city in California, Jurupa Valley,  refuses to die!

This Day in History: November 20, 1901

According to the Riverside Daily Press, on this date in 1901 County Supervisor Lilly orderd the low hanging branches of a cypress tree on the West Riverside road (today's Mission Boulevard in the Rubidoux area)  trimmed and low overhanging branches removed. It seems the low tree branches kept snagging the head gear of folks riding on the road

Pedley Packing House News

It was reported in the November 2, 1902 Riverside Daily Press that improvements were being made at the Pedley packing house. Agent Spaulding and his family had taken up residence in the living quarters at the packing house which had previously been used for storage. A shed was added to store boxes and machinery that had previously been stored in the packing house.

Incorporation in 1949

Jurupa Valley has been a city for just a year and a half but the possibility, the thought, the idea, of incorporation has been around for many, many years. I just ran across an article from February 10, 1949, which said the following:

"Now there is talk of incorporation. Sentiment has not crystallized for or against the idea, but the fact is whether or not it comes to pass now or later, it is an indication of growth and a desire for improvements."

A Surprise Wedding

According to the Riverside Daily Press, "In order to escape the wearying excitement of a formal church wedding"  Miss Stella Gobruegge of West Riverside and Mr. George Green of San Jacinto were quietly married at the Jewell Memorial Church in Colton on October 18th, 1911. The ceremony was performed by Rev. David B. Loofborrow, formerly pastor of Grace Methodist Church in Riverside.

Mr. Green had asked Rev. Loofborrow to perform the ceremony a few days before but has not mentioned his bride's name. Loofborrow was pleasantly surprised when the couple arrived and he discovered the bride was an old friend from years before. Miss Gobruegge had asked her groom to engage Rev. Loofborrow to marry they.

The bride had lived in West Riverside since she was a child. Mr. Green had previously taught at West Riverside (later known as Glen Avon) and at Palm schools. he later bought property in San Jacinto which kept him occupied.

The marriage came as a complete surprise to their many friend. The couple had told everyone that they planned to get married at Thanksgiving.

This Day in History:October 15, 1902

The work of cutting and drying peaches is now finished. Those who dried their peaches say that this year's crop was the largest ever had yet. The pears on Mr. Ables' ranch were dried also, the fruit being not so wormy as last year.

This Day in History - October 10th, 1932

It was reported in the Riverside Daily Press that Roman Warren, manager of the Riverside Airport in West Riverside, said that there is an average of four private planes a day that land at the airport.  Passenger airline California Aeriel Lines lands at the airport four times a day on a route that flies between Los Angeles and Calexico. Warren reported that several residents of Riverside and West Riverside were passengers on the airline in the previous week.