Local History Presentation: The Formation of Riverside County
Event Information
- Main Library, 3900 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA, 92501
- 2025-05-09 18:00:00
- Free
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- www.riversideca.gov/library/
This discussion delves into the many aspects behind the eventual formation of Riverside County as one of the last counties within California. Long thought to be the outcome of dissatisfaction over the construction of a new courthouse in San Bernardino, the reasons behind Riverside County’s beginnings were numerous. Author and researcher Steve Lech uncovers many of the reasons, and the back-room dealings, that brought about the formation of California’s 4th largest county in 1893.
Steve Lech is a native Riversider who has been interested in the local history of Riverside County for more than 40 years. He has written or co-written 18 books on various topics related to Riverside County history, including Along the Old Roads – A History of the Portion of Southern California That Became Riverside County, 1772-1893, considered to be the definitive history of Riverside County. He co-authors the weekly “Back in the Day” column for the Press-Enterprise newspaper in which he explores many aspects of local history throughout western Riverside County. He has been a docent at the historic Mission Inn hotel for 35 years, the Director of Docent Training for the Mission Inn Foundation, and the chair of the Riverside County Historical Commission and past chair of the City of Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board.
Presentation will take place in the Main Library Community Room.