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Historic Citrus Preservation

Citrus Heritage

It was in the spring of 1882 that a Mr. E.J. Waite, a native of Wisconsin, planted the first orange grove in Redlands proper on two and a half acres on Center Street.  The City of Redlands was, for almost three-quarters of a century, at the heart of the largest navel orange producing region in the world, attracting people from all over the world from the late 1800’s to the late 1950’s.  Socially, the navel orange became a symbol of what tourists and the rest of the country thought about Southern California.  In 1890, one thousand railroad cars of navels were marketed.  By 1904, over one million boxes were sent out in over 9,000 railroad cars from over 30 packing houses.

Today only one packing house remains to serve the needs of approximately the 2,500 acres of citrus that remains in production in the area.  Despite this, even today, the smell of the orange blossoms or the taste of the fruit serves to remind the Redlanders of the continuing presence of a past life-style and image.

The City of Redlands first became involved in the citrus business in 1968 when it acquired the Prospect Park Grove through money donated by its citizens and federal grants.  Additional groves were acquired in the 1970’s with park acquisition and development taxes.  In 1979, a City ordinance called for the“historical preservation of citrus” to be supported by crop receipts and park tax funds.  In 1986, the voters passed Measure “O” by an overwhelming majority to provide taxpayer funds for the strategic purchase of various lands to be maintained in perpetuity as open space – including citrus groves.

In 1996, the Citrus Preservation Commission was established to make recommendations and advise the City Council regarding the acquisition, improvement, preservation and retention of citrus properties within the City.  The Citrus Preservation Commission consists of seven volunteer members who generously offer their combined 250-plus years of citrus industry expertise to help ensure the continuing presence of our citrus history.  The Commission is charged with the responsibility of the daily farming operations as well as the harvesting and marketing activities for all of the City owned citrus groves. 

If you would like to know more about citrus heritage in Redlands the following are excellent sources of information:  A.K. Smiley Library,  Redlands Conservancy, Inland Orange Conservancy, Redlands Historical Museum, Redlands Foothill Groves, Esri.

City Owned Groves

Currently, the City of Redlands owns 16 citrus groves throughout the city totaling 209 acres.  They include Valencia Oranges, Naval Oranges, Ruby Star Grapefruit, and Rio Grapefruit.   

The City’s citrus operation operates as an enterprise funds and has been able to maintain these groves without general fund support to date. All of the revenue received from the harvesting of the crops is used to continue the on-going cultural care.  

Citrus Groves Map

Citrus Preservation Commission

The City of Redlands Citrus Preservation Commission meets the 2nd Tuesday of every odd numbered month and all meeting are open to the public.  For more information about the City’s citrus operation, contact the Quality of Life Department at 909-798-7668. 

Commission Agendas

Upcoming

Today

  1. Book Club (II)
    • Start time: 11:00am
    • End date: Monday, May 21st
    • End time: 12:00pm

    • 3rd Monday Book Club: 11 am
      Location: Library Assembly Room
      Group Leader: Jane Lawrence-Gunn
      (909) 798-2689
      thegunnfamily@earthlink.net

      Meeting at 11 am the third Monday of each month in the Assembly Room of A.K. Smiley Public Library

    • View this event in Google Calendar

Tomorrow

  1. Silent Book Auction
  2. Chinese Story Time
  3. Pajama Story Time

Wednesday, May 23rd

  1. Preschool Story Time ~ Ages 4-6
  2. Post 261 Explorer Meeting
    • Start time: 06:30pm
    • End date: Wednesday, May 23rd
    • End time: 08:30pm

    • Open Enrollment to join the Redlands Explorer Program is in January of every year, but you can pick-up and drop-off applications through-out the entire year at the Fire Administration office. Ages to join are between 15 years To 21 years old.

      Fire Administrative Office
      35 Cajon Street #12
      Redlands, CA 92373

    • View this event in Google Calendar

Thursday, May 24th

  1. Tiny Tot Story Time
    • Start time: 10:15am
    • End date: Thursday, May 24th
    • End time: 10:35am

    • Story time for tiny tots, ages 2 & 3. Finger rhymes, songs and stories.

    • View this event in Google Calendar
  2. Tiny Tot Story Time
    • Start time: 10:40am
    • End date: Thursday, May 24th
    • End time: 11:00am

    • Join us for fun stories, songs and finger rhymes and meet new friends!

    • View this event in Google Calendar
  3. Market Night
    • Start time: 06:00pm
    • End date: Thursday, May 24th
    • End time: 09:00pm

    • Established in 1988, Redlands Market Night has established itself as one of the most successful certified farmers markets in Southern California! Vendors vie to participate in the event that has attracted thousands of weekly visitors since its inception. Visitors are welcomed into an inviting atmosphere complete with lighted trees, brick sidewalks, historic buildings, and great musical entertainment. Crowds are pleasantly surrounded by over 150 food and merchandise booths, not to mention the downtown shopkeepers, every Thursday night.

    • View this event in Google Calendar

Friday, May 25th

  1. City Hall Closed
    • Start time: 07:00am
    • End date: Friday, May 25th
    • End time: 06:00pm

    • Extended service hours are offered in order for the public to conduct City business before and after traditional business hours. City staff is available 9 hours a day to serve you. City Hall offices are closed every Friday.

    • View this event in Google Calendar

Saturday, May 26th

  1. Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market
    • Start time: 08:00am
    • End date: Saturday, May 26th
    • End time: 11:00am

    • The City’s successful Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market brings fresh local produce to historic downtown Redlands every Saturday.

      The Saturday Morning Certified Farmers’ Market began June 6, 2009, bringing local growers to the City parking lot south of Redlands Boulevard between Fifth and Sixth streets near Ed Hales Park. The market operates from 8 to 11 a.m. every Saturday, excluding holiday weekends.

    • View this event in Google Calendar
  2. Household Hazardous Waste collection
    • Start time: 09:30am
    • End date: Saturday, May 26th
    • End time: 12:30pm

    • During operating hours, residents can dispose of household materials including, outdated prescription medication (with the exception of controlled substances), outdated pet prescription medication, paint products, chemical cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, hobby/pool supplies, automotive oil, filters, brake fluid, transmission fluid, anti-freeze, gasoline, and propane tanks.

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  3. Bi-lingual Story Time ~ English/Spanish
  4. LIBRARY CLOSED

Sunday, May 27th

  1. LIBRARY CLOSED
  2. Memorial Day

Monday, May 28th

  1. City Hall Closed - Memorial Day
  2. Environmental Review Committee
  3. Solid Waste & Recycling Holiday Collection Schedule
  4. John F. Kennedy's Birthday

Tuesday, May 29th

  1. Silent Book Auction
  2. Chinese Story Time
  3. Rose Hill: An Intermarriage Before Its Time
    • Start time: 06:00pm
    • End date: Tuesday, May 29th
    • End time: 07:30pm

    • Carlos Cortes, Prof. Emeritus at University of California Riverside will discuss his memoir, which celebrates civil liberties and cultural journey.

    • View this event in Google Calendar
  4. Pajama Story Time

Wednesday, May 30th

  1. Preschool Story Time ~ Ages 4-6

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35 Cajon Street, Redlands, CA 92373 The City of Redlands web site was developed to provide general information. Data contained at this web site or at any site linked from this, has not been reviewed for accuracy or legal sufficiency. The documents displayed are for reference purposes only. Their completeness or accuracy are not guaranteed. Links or references to other information or organizations do not constitute an endorsement. Please contact the specific City Department before using or linking to any photos or other web content.

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