Rialto in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Viticulture and the Muscat Grape

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 13, 2024

1. Viticulture and the Muscat Grape Marker

Inscription. Around 1870, raisin production became one of the first commercial crops produced in the San Bernardino Valley. Alexandria Muscat was the dominant grape in raisin production through the 1920's, and were a success prior to the rise and domination of the citrus industry in the early part of the 1900's. With a climate similar to Spain and fruit bearing vines in two years, it was a good and tasty way to get a paying crop.

George Lord, once considered the most famous man in the valley, was the first to demonstrate the successful growing of the raisin grape. He won a $5 gold piece, the first prize ever offered in Los Angeles County, for the finest box of raisins. He created quite a sensation and he supplied thousands of Muscat grape plants to the people of the San Bernardino Valley and beyond.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 34° 6.084′ N, 117° 23.773′ W. Marker is in Rialto, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on West Second Street. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 1263 W Second Street, Rialto CA 92376, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Era of Citrus & Fruit Colonies (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bridge To Progress (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rialto Adobe (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Christian Church of Rialto (approx. 1½ miles away); Fontana Farms Company (approx. 2.7 miles away); Site of U.S. Rabbit Experimental Station (approx. 2.8 miles away); Louis Robidoux (approx. 4.6 miles away); Agua Mansa Cemetery (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rialto.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 13, 2024

2. Viticulture and the Muscat Grape Marker

The marker is on the Pacific Electric Trail, just east of North Cedar Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 20, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.