A Peace Tower Built of Oranges
How Riverside honored Frank A. Miller's legacy with a citrus-covered replica at the 1926 National Orange Show.
A Voice from the Mission Inn: Ormonde Wilson's Journey from Watchman to War Hero
The tenor soloist who sang at Booker T. Washington's memorial service traded his Mission Inn post for the battlefields of World War I, earning a place on Frank Miller's banner of heroes.
Joseph Schneider Rode Into Flames for 46 Years
Riverside's longest-serving fire chief modernized the department, survived smoke inhalation and a bicycle crash, and never asked his men to face dangers he wouldn't confront himself.
Riverside's Building Boom: Four Landmarks from 1925
A century ago, the city issued more than $2 million in building permits for the third straight year, transforming downtown with structures that still shape our landscape.
Frank Miller's Christmas Pageant Brought Mission Inn Family Together
For 20 years, the inn's founder staged an annual Nativity production blending California mission history with the Christmas story.
Frank B. Devine: Pioneer of Riverside's Citrus Packing Industry
From New York businessman to Sunbeam brand founder, Devine shaped local citrus shipping for nearly four decades.
When Peace Flags Flew: How Mount Rubidoux Honored U.S.-Canada Friendship in 1927
For 17 years, Frank Miller hosted Armistice Day services atop Mount Rubidoux, raising flags from nations around the world. In 1927, Canada took center stage in a ceremony featuring bagpipes, doves and a tribute to cross-border friendship that endures today.
Riverside's Hidden Fort: The Story of Fort Chittenden on Mt. Rubidoux
How a road engineer's tribute became a whimsical military installation complete with San Francisco cannons and earthquake-surviving anchor chains.
From Swedish Immigrant to Mount Rubidoux Master Builder: The Gunnar Kjellberg Story
How a 17-year-old zanjero became the foreman who shaped Riverside's most iconic landmark and built the infrastructure that still serves the city today.
The Voice That Enchanted Riverside: Elsie Younggren-Carlstrom's Musical Legacy
From Iowa farm girl to Mission Inn's beloved soloist, one woman's extraordinary voice graced Mount Rubidoux's Easter services and captivated Swedish royalty.
Buena Vista Bridge Endures as Gateway to Riverside’s Past
Built in 1907 and rebuilt in 1932, the Buena Vista Bridge connected travelers to Mt. Rubidoux and remains a city landmark nearly a century later.
A Costly Outing: Riverside Family’s Fishing Trip Ends in Fiery Disaster
Ransom B. Shelden and his family learned the hard way in 1909 that even a well-packed White Steamer can’t escape misfortune. From a backfiring gas tank to a total loss, their fishing trip to San Antonio Canyon became an unforgettable adventure.