Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree Marker
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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Inland Empire, and in the Peninsular Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The First Marsh Grapefruit Trees into California (a few steps from this marker); The Chicago White Sox Redwood Tree (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Magnolia United Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Swanson Residence (approx. 0.3 miles away); Verly Residence (approx. 0.8 miles away); Henry M. Streeter House (approx. one mile away); Charles Montagu Dammers (approx. 1.3 miles away); Victoria Avenue Forever (approx. 1.4 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
Photographed by Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002
2. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree Marker
Also see . . .
1. Landmarks of the City of Riverside (see #15). (Submitted on June 6, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)
2. Eliza Tibbets (1825 - 1898). Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on December 27, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California.)
Photographed by Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002
3. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree Marker
Photographed by Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002
4. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree
Photographed by Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002
5. 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
6. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree
Ecoport website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Michael Kindig, September 22, 2002
7. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree
Photographed by Craig Baker
8. Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree and Marker
Enclosed in a protective screened structure to shield it from devastating pests like the Asian citrus psyllid.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2011. This page has been viewed 3,106 times since then and 87 times this year. Last updated on August 7, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 16, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 28, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 8. submitted on June 15, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
