Redlands History and Historic Sites

Redlands has one of the best-preserved historic towns in Southern California. Here's a short history and the landmarks you can still visit. To see several in one day, use our Redlands day trip itinerary.

A short history of Redlands

According to the City of Redlands History & Landmarks page, Redlands was founded in 1881 and incorporated in 1888. Around 1900 it was called "The City of Millionaires" and later "The City of Beautiful Homes." For much of its history it was the "Washington Navel Orange Growing Capital of the World," and citrus drove the economy.

Wealthy winter visitors built grand homes along Olive Ave and Highland Ave, an area once called the "Butler Belt" because so many homes there employed butlers. Twin brothers Albert and Alfred Smiley gave the city the library and park that still carry their name. The University of Redlands was founded in 1907.

Older still is the land's mission-era history. The Asistencia traces to an 1819 cattle outpost of Mission San Gabriel, and native peoples traveled San Timoteo Canyon long before that, along a route now remembered as the Cocomaricopa Trail.

Historic sites you can visit in Redlands

A.K. Smiley Public Library (1898)

A Moorish-style library listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated by the state as a point of historical interest, per the city. Albert K. Smiley raised the money to buy the land and build it. Visit the library and its Heritage Room archives at 125 W Vine St.

Lincoln Memorial Shrine

A free museum about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War in Smiley Park, open Tuesday to Sunday 1 to 5 PM per its hours page. Official site: lincolnshrine.org.

Redlands Bowl (1930)

The city says the Bowl was built in 1930, while the free Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival began in 1924, started by Grace Stewart Mullen.

Kimberly Crest House & Gardens (1897)

A French chateau-style house museum, donated to the city in 1963 by Mary Kimberly-Shirk, daughter of a Kimberly-Clark co-founder, per the city. House tours are Thursday, Friday and Sunday afternoons. See Plan Your Visit.

Morey Mansion

Dubbed "America's Favorite Victorian House" and seen in many films and commercials, per the city. It's at 190 Terracina Blvd and is a private residence, so view it from the street only.

Historic Asistencia

Run by the Redlands Conservancy at 26930 Barton Rd. The city notes today's buildings are 1930s reproductions near the original site. Free Open Gates afternoons run from 1 to 4 PM, most Sundays.

San Bernardino County Museum

The region's history and natural history at 2024 Orange Tree Ln. Visit the county museum site for exhibits and admission.

Historical Glass Museum

American-made glass in a Victorian house at 1157 Orange St, open on weekends. Visit the museum site.

El Carmelo Retreat House (1952)

The Discalced Carmelite Friars have welcomed retreatants at El Carmelo, 926 E Highland Ave, since 1952. Its grounds and orange groves are open to the public on weekdays.

Self-guided history tours

• The Redlands Conservancy posts trail and driving tour maps.
• The AboutRedlands history itinerary lists walking and driving tour booklets sold locally.
• Then walk the Smiley Park neighborhood west of downtown, full of turn-of-the-century bungalows.

More ideas: Things to Do in Redlands and free things to do in Redlands.