Downtown Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Robert M. Howie
Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 2026
1. Robert M. Howie Marker - front side
During his tenure, crop values rose by 650%, citrus acreage doubled and agricultural values in the Coachella Valley increased ten-fold.
Under Mr Howie's guidance Riverside County responded to challenges with innovation new approaches to pest control, worker safety and marketing were developed here and became industry standards.
As you pass through the Robert M. Howie Plaza take a moment to experience the life affirming qualities of the nine Washington Navel orange trees. These trees represent our heritage and are a testament to this land's richness they were planted in appreciation of the people who labor to provide the bountiful harvest that sustains us all.
(reverse side:)
"Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands."- Thomas Jefferson
Agricultural success began in this area with the raising of grain and cattle in the late 1700's. Two Washington Navel orange trees planted in 1873 transformed this region into a citrus empire. During 2005, Riverside County agriculturalists produced 128 different commodities and exported farm products to 53 countries
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This monument is dedicated to the virtuous, vigorous and independent people who cultivate the earth in Riverside County, and to Robert M. Howie, who dedicated his life to protecting and promoting agriculture. December 2006
Erected 2006.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.
Location. 33° 58.703′ N, 117° 22.417′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Downtown Riverside. It is on Lemon Street near Tenth Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside CA 92501, 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 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lerner Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); M. H. Simons Undertaking Chapel (about 600 feet away); Riverside County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Riverside County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); Riverside History Walk (approx. 0.2 miles away); Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas (approx. 0.2 miles away); Riverside Military Wall of Honor (approx. 0.2 miles away); E. M. Bonnett Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.
Also see . . .
1. Robert Howie Obituary.
ROBERT(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)M. HOWIE Who served as Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner from 1954 to 1982, died on July 4 at his home in Riverside. He was 95. Bob was born in Compton, California on June 14, 1913. He moved to Riverside in 1927 and graduated from Poly High in 1930. He rode rodeo (bull riding and roping), played football and edited the Aggie Newspaper while attending the the University of California at Davis where he graduated in 1934. It was a tough time for ranching so in 1934 he took a "temporary" job as a county inspector in the Coachella Valley. He married Betty Williams Attride in 1937 and they lived in Banning until 1939 when they moved to Riverside and Bob was named deputy Agricultural Commissioner in 1940. Upon the death of William Wright, Bob became Riverside's sixth Agricultural Commissioner. During his time in office, Riverside became one of the top producing agricultural counties in the United States. After 28 years Bob retired in 1982. On December 12, 2006 in honor of his 48 years of service, The Robert M. Howie Plaza and Monument was dedicated in downtown Riverside. Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Lois; his grandson, Daniel; and his beloved wife of 65 years (2002), Betty. He is survived by his son, Dick (Connie) of San Diego; his daughter, Marty Ditchey (Roy); and granddaughters, Allyson and Kate Ditchey.Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 20262. Robert M. Howie Marker - back side
2. Robert M. Howie Plaza Dedication Ceremony - Tuesday, December 12, 2006. 1934 Robert M. Howie is hired as an agricultural inspector with the Riverside County Agricultural Commissioners Office in the Blythe district.
1954
Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 2026
3. Robert M. Howie Plaza Marker
1962 Mr. Howie participates in a month long fact finding, agricultural trade development and goodwill tour of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
1972 The Agricultural Commissioners Office becomes responsible for the enforcement of statewide regulations to protect employees, fieldworkers, and the environment from exposure to pesticides.
1973 The United Farm Workers Union organizes protests, strikes, and boycotts of lettuce and grapes in the Coachella Valley.
1975 Citrus acreage in Riverside County peaks at 54,372 bearing acres.
1982 Mr. Howie retires from the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner, stating, It has been a great privilege for me to have been associated with and served the agricultural industry of Riverside County for over 48 years.
1954 to 1982 [see document]
1983 The Riverside County Farm Bureau established the Robert M. Howie Award, presented annually to individuals that have provided outstanding service to agriculture in the County. The award was created to remind others of the dedication that Mr. Howie demonstrated and to recognize and encourage that kind of dedication in others.
1983 The original Robert M. Howie Citrus Plaza was dedicated on the southwest side of the County Administrative Center (CAC).
2001 Construction begins on the Annex to the CAC. The Marker (Plaque) for the Howie Citrus Plaza is removed to make way for the new building.
2006 The Robert M. Howie Plaza and Monument were re-dedicated in the area adjacent to the County Administrative Center Annex, amongst nine Navel orange trees planted several years earlier. (Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
