Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Red Hill
City of Rancho Cucamonga Historic Point of Interest
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 19, 2010
1. Red Hill Marker
Inscription.
Red Hill. City of Rancho Cucamonga Historic Point of Interest. This site sits at the base of the prominent Red Hill Landmark. The early historic importance of the property stems from its proximity to a reliable water source, Cucamonga Creek, and to its location on the major roadway between Los Angeles and San Bernardino. By about 1200 AD, the Kukumonga Native Americans, part of the Gabrielino Culture, established a village near Red Hill. In 1839, Tiburcio Tapia, a wealthy merchant and former Alcalde (Major) of Los Angeles, was granted 13,000 acres of land known as Rancho De Cucamonga. Using Indian labor, Tapia built a well-fortified adobe home on Red Hill, and raised great cattle herds. Tapia also began a successful winery known to us today as the Thomas Winery. John Rains, a former soldier from Alabama and rancher, married the wealthy Doña Maria Merced Williams, and together they purchased the ranch in 1858. The couple built a burned brick home, just to the north on Vineyard, which is now a San Bernardino County museum. Before his murder in 1862, Rains had greatly expanded the vineyards and winery developed by Tapia. This site was part of the transportation system used by many generations including the Butterfield Stage Coach, the Pacific Electric "Red Car" Railway, and Route 66. The first post office in the area, commissioned by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864, was located here. The property also contained the Cutler residence and store, and the Riche residence and store. Detailed archaeological investigations where performed to document these structures, which had been demolished many years ago.
This site sits at the base of the prominent Red Hill Landmark. The early historic importance of the property stems from its proximity to a reliable water source, Cucamonga Creek, and to its location on the major roadway between Los Angeles and San Bernardino. By about 1200 AD, the Kukumonga Native Americans, part of the Gabrielino Culture, established a village near Red Hill. In 1839, Tiburcio Tapia, a wealthy merchant and former Alcalde (Major) of Los Angeles, was granted 13,000 acres of land known as Rancho De Cucamonga. Using Indian labor, Tapia built a well-fortified adobe home on Red Hill, and raised great cattle herds. Tapia also began a successful winery known to us today as the Thomas Winery. John Rains, a former soldier from Alabama and rancher, married the wealthy Doña Maria Merced Williams, and together they purchased the ranch in 1858. The couple built a burned brick home, just to the north on Vineyard, which is now a San Bernardino County museum. Before his murder in 1862, Rains had greatly expanded the vineyards and winery developed by Tapia. This site was part of the transportation system used by many generations including the Butterfield Stage Coach, the Pacific Electric "Red Car" Railway, and Route 66. The first post office in the area, commissioned by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864, was located here. The property
Click or scan to see this page online
also contained the Cutler residence and store, and the Riche residence and store. Detailed archaeological investigations where performed to document these structures, which had been demolished many years ago.
Location. 34° 6.41′ N, 117° 36.676′ W. Marker is in Rancho Cucamonga, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker is at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard (Route 66) and Vineyard Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Foothill Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8916 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tapia Adobe Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Cucamonga Winery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cucamonga Labor Camp (approx. ¼ mile away); 1826 (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1839 (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1840s (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1858 (approx. 0.3 miles away); 1864 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rancho Cucamonga.
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 19, 2010
2. Red Hill Marker
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 19, 2010
3. Casa De Rancho Cucamongo Rains Home built in 1860.
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 19, 2010
4. Tiles of the Butterfield Stage Coach 1850-1890's
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 19, 2010
5. Tiles of the Red Car circa 1900-1940.
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 19, 2010
6. Vineyard Gateway
Photographed By Denise Boose, September 19, 2010
7. Route 66 Emblem across the street.
Photographed By Craig Baker, 2016
8. John Rains home, now a museum.
Located ¼ mile north of the Red Hill marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 2,028 times since then and 157 times this year. Last updated on May 28, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 28, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 8. submitted on April 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.