TIME LINE OF CITRUS IN THE INLAND EMPIRE
314 B.C…ORANGE FIRST GROWN IN ASIA—CHINA
1498…COLUMBUS HAD CITRUS ON HIS SECOND VOYAGE TO THE NEW WORLD.
1518…CITRUS INTRODUCED TO BRAZIL.
1769…CITRUS INTRODUCED IN CALIFORNIA: BY FRANCISCAN FATHERS AT THEIR FIRST MISSION IN SAN DIEGO. FIRST GROVE AT SAN GABRIEL MISSION IN 1804.
1857…FIRST SWEET SEEDLING ORANGES PLANTED: ANSON VAN LEUVEN PLANTED THREE TREES FROM SAN GABRIEL IN OLD SAN BERNARDINO.
1875…NAVEL ORANGES PLANTED IN CALIFORNIA: FROM “BUDDING” IN BRAZIL BY PORTUGUESE GARDENER IN 1820. INTRODUCED TO WASHINGTON D.C.’S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
1875…THREE TREES SENT TO MRS. LUTHER C. TIBBETS OF RIVERSIDE: SHE GREW THEM IN HER YARD. FROM THESE TREES CAME THE NAVEL ORANGE INDUSTRY OF CALIFORNIA.
1877/1883…RAILROADS TO THE EAST: BOOM IN ORANGE PLANTING AND BOOM IN MARKET.
1879…FIRST CITRUS FAIR IN RIVERSIDE: STILL PART OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY. COLTON HAD FAIRS IN 1886 AND 1892.
1884…IRRIGATION WATER FROM BIG BEAR DAM: ASSURED WATER SUPPLY FOR EAST VALLEY.
1885…CITRUS SHIPMENTS INCREASED TO 1000 CARLOADS.
1890… FORMED FIRST FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATIONS.
1899…FIRST CITRUS FAIR IN SAN BERNARDINO: VAN DORIN BUILDING ON THIRD STREET.
1900…5,648,714 CITRUS TREES UNDER CULTIVATION IN CALIFORNIA.
1911…FIRST NATIONAL ORANGE SHOW: ON CORNER OF 4TH AND F STREETS.
1927…45,600 ACRES OF CITRUS IN San Bernardino COUNTY: 38,640 NAVEL AND VALENCIA ORANGES.
1943…49,920 ACRES OF CITRUS: 39,640 ORANGES.
1948…ORANGES STILL POPULAR: START OF DECLINE IN PRODUCTION.
1965…CALIFORNIA LAND CONSERVATION ACT: DESIGNED TO REDUCE TAXES SO FARMERS WOULD KEEP LAND IN CULTIVATION AND NOT SELL TO DEVELOPERS. (TOO LITTLE TOO LATE).
1978…11,450 ACRES LEFT: 8,960 ACRES WERE ORANGES.
1997…6,700 ACRES REMAIN: EAST VALLEY 5,100 ACRES. THE FUTURE ???