The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 78

caipa Everybody's Home Town Yucaipa Valley History The next great land boom occurred at the end of World War 11 when Yucaipa found itself conveniently located as a "bedroom" community for various places of employment in nearby cities. This identity accelerated the change from a predominantly agricultural area to a semi-rural residential community, with a large component of retirees. Yet there were still other major land uses, with crops such as tomatoes, and ranches for chickens, playing a significant role in the valley's early economy. A building moratorium was lifted completely in 1986 with the dedication of the new waste water treatment plant. The construction of the new sewer system encouraged further land subdivisions, and growth continues today at a moderate rate.

After two earlier attempts, the community incorporated in 1989. The City of Yucaipa is notably credited for its planned development projects, management of resources, and most importantly, for a continuous effort to provide its citizens with an enriched quality of life. Without water, the valley would have been a semi-arid community with dry farming as the main industry, however, by the 1860's. water commissioners were designating a 'zanjero' over the "lower Yukipe ditch." Early farms developed around water resources, and in the 1 890's. tunneling and major water strikes were being described in the CITROGRAPH newspaper.

Grain and fruit were so plentiful that the Yucaipa Valley became a bread basket to Southern California in the 1890's. Capitalizing on the valley's potential, the Redlands-Yucaipa Land Company was created. The great land sale of 1910 started the subdivision of the land into urban uses. Roads became streets and avenues, and eucalyptus trees were planted along what is now Yucaipa Boulevard. New schools were built and "Yucaipa City" could be located on maps.

Row after row of orchard trees could be seen from one end of the valley to the other. Many new businesses opened and the young community continued to thrive. In the early days, the valley was home to Native Americans. Many Indian campsites were located throughout the area, and their primary village, known as Yukaipa't was occupied for thousands of years. The land was heavy with seed foods; springs and running creeks were abundant, as were riparian woodlands and the game that they supported, and trails to the high country provided access to additional resources.

With such idyllic living, the Serrano inhabitants were a peace-loving people and life was good. On June 2 1 1 842, Antonio Maria Lugo and his family received a grant from the Mexican government to occupy the San Bernardino and Yucaipa Valleys. The Lugos and their cousin. Diego Sepulveda, were part owners of the San Bernardino Rancho. which included part of Yucaipa.

Sepulveda built an adobe in lower Yucaipa and continued ranching. Other pioneer families began to gather and found the grasses provided well for the dairies and ranches that were established during this period. i ToBarilowA Loi Vfgal Lake Arrowhead BeJr Lak7 SAN San Bernardino Mountains BIG BEAR CITYl--N NATIONAL N. 1 FOREST TO San Bernardino Mountains San Gabriel Mountains BERNARDINO srf SAN NATIONAL FONTANA BERNARDINO forest V. To Piiidrnj San Bernardino Mountains ONTARIO A.OMA LINDaV OAK GLEN san RIVERSIDE MORENO VALLEY fe)saSw BANNING To lndiofhoeni.

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