Loma Linda in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Arrival of the Europeans
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 18, 2023
1. Arrival of the Europeans Marker
Inscription.
Arrival of the Europeans. . Spanish explorers began traveling through the San Bernardino Valley in 1776 when California was a colony of Spain. In 1810, representatives of the San Gabriel Mission named this valley San Bernardino, in honor of St. Bernardine of Siena. In 1819, the mission expanded its reach in the San Bernardino Valley, hoping to establish an estancia, a farm or ranch, about a mile northwest of this park. Using Native laborers, the Spanish brought water from Mill Creek, east of Mentone, to the mission farm. This ditch, over ten miles long, came to be known as the Zanja in Spanish. It allowed the Spanish to practice the intensive agriculture that had been common in Europe, but was new to California. Foods familiar to Europeans rose from the valley: corn, multiple grains, grapes, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
Spanish explorers began traveling through the San Bernardino Valley in 1776 when California was a colony of Spain.
In 1810, representatives of the San Gabriel Mission named this valley San Bernardino, in honor of St. Bernardine of Siena.
In 1819, the mission expanded its reach in the San Bernardino Valley, hoping to establish an estancia, a farm or ranch,
about a mile northwest of this park. Using Native laborers, the Spanish brought water from Mill Creek, east of Mentone,
to the mission farm. This ditch, over ten miles long, came to be known as the Zanja in Spanish. It allowed the Spanish to
practice the intensive agriculture that had been common in Europe, but was new to California. Foods familiar to Europeans
rose from the valley: corn, multiple grains, grapes, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
Erected by City of Loma Linda.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.
Location. 34° 3.082′ N, 117° 13.76′ W. Marker is in Loma Linda, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached
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from Mission Road just west of Earp Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26358 Mission Rd, Loma Linda CA 92354, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
