Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002

1. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree Marker

Inscription. To honor Mrs. Eliza Tibbets, and to commend her good work in planting at Riverside in 1873 the First Washington Navel Orange Trees in California, native to Bahia Brazil, proved the most valuable fruit introduction yet made by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Erected 1920. (Marker Number 20.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Historic Trees series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 33° 56.769′ N, 117° 24.1′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. Marker is at the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Magnolia Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Arlington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4550 Arlington Avenue, Riverside CA 92504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The First Marsh Grapefruit Trees into California (a few steps from this marker); Victoria Bridge (approx. 2.1 miles away); Riverside County Courthouse (approx. 2.7 miles away); a different marker also named Riverside County Courthouse (approx. 2.7 miles away); Lt Col Shunzo Kido

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(approx. 2.7 miles away); Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas (approx. 2.8 miles away); Riverside Military Wall of Honor (approx. 2.8 miles away); Mount Rubidoux (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Regarding Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree. California Historical Landmark No. 20 — The tree was introduced into the United States from Bahia, Brazil, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1870. Twelve young trees were received and buds from them were propagated on sweet orange seedlings. In 1873 two of these greenhouse-grown trees, which were distributed throughout the United States, were sent to Mrs. Eliza Tibbets in Riverside. SOURCE: California Historical Landmarks, California State Parks

Also see . . .
1. Eliza Tibbets (1825 - 1898) - Find A Grave Memorial. (Submitted on December 27, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)
2. History of the parent Washington navel orange tree. (Submitted on January 6, 2012.)

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002

2. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree Marker

Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002

3. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002

4. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree Marker

One of the two original trees from which all Washington Navel oranges in California have descended. Propagated from trees imported from Bahia, Brazil in 1870 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and sent to Riverside, Cal. in 1873

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002

5. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree

Photographed By Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002

6. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2011. This page has been viewed 1,965 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on August 7, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 28, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.