The Highland Area Historical Society
Aurantia Park Page
Aurantia Park
29624 Greenspot Road
Highland, CA 92346
Latitude: 34.109890
Longitude: -117.156138
Description
Aurantia Park is on a 12-acre site donated to the City of Highland in 1988 by a local citrus grower, to serve as a landmark to the long history dating back in the 1850s of citrus being grown in the area. This wild land park features numerous footpaths to travel and learn about plant species that are indigenous to the local area. Also included is a fenced dog park, picnic shelters, play area with rubberized surfacing, and restroom facilities. Much of the park revolves around the recreation of stone pillars and monument columns utilizing native river rocks.
Park Features
The sign was built as an Eagle Scout project by Adam Pierce and the members of Troop 19.
B. Rock entrance pillars
Examples of the type of work done by early stone masons in this area. An effort was made in 1999 to move the pillars from their original location, which was approximately 0.75 miles East of the park, but it was unsuccessful so these are rcreations.
Documented evidence as to why the term Cronycroft was used on the original “Smith Bros.” pillars has not been found. One theory is that they used the term Cronycroft as the name of their ranch and that they arrived at that by combining the word crony, meaning friend, colleague, companion and the word croft meaning a small farm or plot of land into Cronycroft.
C. Parking area
D. Drinking Fountain
E. Park History Sign
F. Restrooms
G. Picnic areas
H. Play area
I. Trails
J. Cell phone tower - the proceeds of which go towards Aurantia Park maintenance and improvement.
K. Dog off leash areas – Dedicated Feb. 24 2005 in honor of Highland Veterinarian Dr. Keith Hart and Mrs. Margaret Hart. There separate fenced areas for large doges, and for small dogs.
L. Historic Plunge Creak Bridge- This bridge was originally part of six spans which crossed the Santa Ana River on La Cadena Street between the cities of Colton and Riverside, California in the early 1900s. "In 1933, the bridge was relocated to Greenspot Road by the County of San Bernardino to complete construction of a road from the Greenspot area to East Highlands. This section of Greenspot Road was established by Mr. J. S. Edwards who owned many acres of oranges in East Highlands and Greenspot but had to truck his fruit some distance through Mentone and Redlands to reach his Gold Buckle Packing House in East Highlands. In July, 1931, his employees cleared a five-mile dirt portion of the road, saveing nine miles of travel over the old route. Two years later the County took responsibility for Greenspot Road and improved it with pavement and placement of the bridge. "In 1966, the City of Highland moved the bridge from Greenspot Road, east of Alta Vista, to its present location at Aurantia Park. It was relocated as part of a street improvement and bridge replacement project. The new bridge across Plunge Creek was dedicated in 1997."
M. Washington Navel Orange grove
Plant species that are indigenous to the local area.
Learn more about plant species that are indigenous to the local area.
We have hosted the presentation made by Scott Klemm for the Highland Area Historical Society meeting from May 26, 2011 entitled "The Wildflowers of Aurantia Park and East Highlands." at:
The Wildflowers of Aurantia Park and East Highlands.PDF