Redlands Today

A Summer's Evening in Redlands

You're out for a walk. The air is filled with the delicate scent of orange blossoms. Strains of music float up from a performance at the outdoor Redlands Bowl several miles away. A beautifully restored Victorian home sits on the corner, and you catch snatches of conversation and laughter from its open window.

What kind of town is this, where free musical programs have been presented to the public for the past sixty-some years? Where one of the country's largest museums of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia and artifacts is proudly maintained? What sort of town would pass a bond issue by a 76 percent vote to buy open space for parks? Redlands is that rarity—the small town that has successfully blended past and present, modern and historic.

This is the kind of place where you might stop to chat with the mayor while shopping at the local market or catch world-class bike racing at the annual Redlands Bicycle Classic. This colorful event, held in March, offers races for Olympic cycling champions, Tour de France racers, as well as anyone else from age 3 to 70 who enjoys cycling.

The essence of Redlands as a small town does not, however, mean a lack of culture or educational opportunity. The University of Redlands, for example, is an exceptional educational and cultural experience. You can visit the University to hear a wide variety of convocational speakers, to see art shows, to hear classical concerts, or to watch the breathtaking Feast of Lights in December.

The University is a cornerstone of the community, providing top-caliber undergraduate education as well as a high-quality graduate program. The Whitehead College offers evening classes in business administration geared toward working adults as well as one of the top teacher credential programs in California.

Redlands is one of the oldest communities in Southern California. It was settled in 1881 and incorporated in 1888. It became a popular wintering spot for wealthy east coast residents, and from the 1880s to the 1950s it was also the heart of the largest navel orange producing region in the world.

From the 1950s to the 1980s, the area was the home of Norton Air Force Base and of many military families. The town now boasts a mix of businesses ranging from the western headquarters of La-Z-Boy to ESRI Campus.

From a population of less than 6,000 at the turn of the century to more than 66,000 in 1999, Redlands has grown but still maintains its sense of place and history.