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

History of Victoria Avenue

Photographed by Adam Margolis, March 9, 2025

1. History of Victoria Avenue Marker

Inscription. Victoria Avenue owes its existence to the vision of Matthew Gage, a jeweler from Kingston, Canada, who moved to Riverside in 1881. He developed the Gage Canal, which allowed for the planting of the vast, arid lands of what would come to be known as Arlington Heights. To help promote land sales in Arlington Heights, Gage and his brother-in-law William Irving designed a grand avenue and bridge named in honor of Britain's Queen Victoria. The dual carriage-way road was modeled after Riverside's landmark Magnolia Avenue, with a wide median separating travel lanes and spacious parkways on both sides.

Construction of the Victoria Bridge over the Tesquite Arroyo started in September 1891 by the Riverside Trust Company. The cantilevered wooden truss bridge was completed in two months at a cost of $12,000. Soon after, in the spring of 1892, the grading of Victoria Avenue began, and the first trees were planted. Franz Hosp, one of California's early landscape designers, was hired to manage the beautification of Victoria Avenue. Victoria Avenue remains a masterpiece of roadway and landscape design that has been a showcase from

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its early horse-and-buggy beginnings until today.

In May 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt toured the Avenue and dedicated a palm tree at the head of the avenue to commemorate his visit. On June 11, 1969, Victoria Avenue was declared City of Riverside Cultural Heritage Landmark #8. In October 2000 Victoria Avenue was given national historic recognition, when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Since its inception in 1892, Victoria Avenue has been one of Riverside's best-loved features

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1903.

Location. 33° 56.085′ N, 117° 22.885′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Victoria. It is on Victoria Avenue east of Jane Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Riverside CA 92506, 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

Photographed by Adam Margolis, March 9, 2025

2. History of Victoria Avenue Marker

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 walking distance of this marker: Dr. Lewis Garden (here, next to this marker); The Riverside Washington Navel Orange (here, next to this marker); Rosanna Scott Memorial Bicycle Trail (here, next to this marker); Roosevelt Palm / Helen Hays Yeager Memorial Grove (here, next to this marker); Lorraine Small Rose Garden (here, next to this marker); Victoria Avenue Forever (here, next to this marker); Victoria Avenue Historic Restoration Project (here, next to this marker); Victoria Avenue (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 28, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.