History of Redlands
Redlands – known
in 1900 as “The City of
Millionaires,” and later as “The City of Beautiful Homes” – welcomes
you! Founded in 1881 and incorporated in
1888, Redlands
is a
quintessential “big town” with a “small town” feel. For much of its history, it was the
“Washington Navel Orange Growing Capital of the World,” with the citrus
industry as the main focus of its economy. Through
the years the economy may have changed, but that
special feeling
of community in a small town hasn’t.
This
is clear as you take a look around Redlands. Tree-lined
State
Street
is still comprised primarily of beautiful historic buildings and
locally-owned
shops and boutiques. Some of its most
famous buildings, like A.K. Smiley Public Library, a Moorish-style
library
built in 1898, and the Redlands Bowl, built in 1930 and home of the
oldest
continuously free outdoor concert series in California, are merely steps from
historic
downtown. Just to the west, one can
stroll through the Smiley Park
neighborhood, filled
with turn-of-the-century bungalows as well as landmark homes. With a short drive, one
can cruise by some
famous homes, like “America’s Favorite Victorian,” the Morey House, on Terracina Boulevard, see the stately homes of Olive Avenue, and
Highland
Avenue, the “Butler Belt,” so known because at one time that was the
most dense
population of homes employing butlers in the City! You can visit
Kimberly Crest House and
Gardens, a home museum featured on the PBS series “America’s
Castles,” and don’t miss a walk through Prospect Park,
just next door. Redlands’ parks are perfect for
picnicking,
and are designed with this in mind. While you’re at it, the
beautiful campus of University
of Redlands,
founded 1907, is worth a seeing. –
Nathan D.
Gonzales
