Citrus was a huge industry in the entire state of California during the early 20th century; by 1896, the Orange Vale Colony in eastern Sacramento County already had 300 acres in fruit including oranges and lemons. This part of Northern California drew eager investors from Chicago and other parts of the eastern US when folks realized these northern orange trees matured earlier than those in Southern California and were more resistant to frost (source: The Heart of California, Howard & Wilson Pub., 1896). Still, it was Southern California that became synonymous with the citrus industry over the following decades.

I remember driving past this state park when I was visiting Riverside in 2018, but I didn’t have time to go and check it out more closely. Since this episode of California’s Golden Parks first aired in 2002, the park has been further developed, with trails, a visitors center and museum, an outdoor amphitheater, and areas available for picnics and special events.

Located in Riverside, California Citrus State Historic Park recaptures the days when “Citrus was King” in California. The design of the park is reminiscent of a 1900s city park and includes an activity center, amphitheater, interpretive structure and demonstration groves. The land within the park still continues to produce high-quality fruits, too.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)