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

White Park

1883

— Cultural Heritage Board Landmark —

White Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 2026

1. White Park Marker

Inscription. Named for Albert S. White, a city park commissioner who championed its development, White Park was Riverside's first park, established by private donations of land and labor and set in town center in the tradition of the Spanish Plaza, the park was deeded to the city in 1889. Reflecting the Victorian philosophy of eclectic and exotic plantings in park design, White Park has maintained its original character while adapting to modern downtown needs.

Erected by Cultural Heritage Board, City of Riverside. (Marker Number 57.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Riverside Cultural Heritage Board Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 33° 58.89′ N, 117° 22.593′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Downtown Riverside. It is at the intersection of Market Street and 9th Street, on the left when traveling north on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: White Park Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverside City Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Former Rouse's Department Store

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(about 500 feet away); Riverside Military Wall of Honor (about 600 feet away); Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas (about 600 feet away); Riverside History Walk (about 600 feet away); Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Memorial (about 700 feet away); The Roosevelt Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Also see . . .
1. Landmarks of the City of Riverside #57.

(Chestnut and Tenth Streets) Established in 1883 this was Riverside’s first City park. Improvements to the park were made from 1883-1931 and included a lush botanical garden, bandstand, and footbridges which crossed a canal.

(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

2. From Swampland to Sanctuary: Albert White’s Legacy in Riverside.

Albert White was born in Belfast, Maine, on December 15, 1839. After finishing school, White moved to New York, where he later joined Captain George Gilchrist to form Gilchrist, White & Company, a mercantile business.

When he contracted pneumonia in 1872, his physician prescribed a warmer climate. Traveling west, he arrived in Riverside, where he stayed the winter with the family of Goerge Garcelon, also a native of Maine. Coming to Riverside each winter,
Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 2026

2. White Park Marker
White moved into the newly opened Glenwood Hotel, also known as the Old Adobe, in November 1876, the first paying guest in the Miller family's venture in the hostelry business. By 1882, Albert White liquidated his assets in New York and made Riverside his year-round home for the rest of his life.

(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

3. From Desert Jewel to Hidden Gem: The Story of Riverside’s White Park Cactus Garden.

However, another name that needs to be included in the development of White Park is horticulturist Franz Hosp. In August 1888, the city hired Hosp to develop plans for the ornamentation of City Park at a cost of $2,500. By 1893, a reporter noted that the park's most unique feature was Hosp’s miniature desert, which featured every variety of cactus known in California. The park contained more than 200 different varieties of cactus. He returned with cactus from excursions into the Colorado Desert and the desert near Twentynine Palms. One was a 12-foot-tall giant cactus (Cereus giganteus). As a landscape architect for the Santa Fe Railroad, Hosp traveled along the railroad's lines throughout the Southwest and brought specimens home.

(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

A view of palm trees and a gazebo at A.T. White Park in Riverside image. Click for full size.

Charles C. Pierce (courtesy USC Libraries and California Historical Society), circa 1900

3. A view of palm trees and a gazebo at A.T. White Park in Riverside

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 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. 3. submitted on June 27, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.