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| Landmark #20 | Riverside County | Visited: August 1, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree still stands and still produces fruit! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: The tree was introduced into the United States from Bahia, Brazil, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1870. Twelve young trees were received and buds from them were propagated on sweet orange seedlings. In 1873 two of these greenhouse-grown trees, which were distributed throughout the United States, were sent to Mrs. Eliza Tibbets in Riverside.
OTHER TIDBITS: What this description leaves out is that these seedless, easy-to-peel navel oranges launched California’s citrus industry! They were brought to the US from Brazil via Washington, D.C. There, a few seedlings were propagated with some sent to Florida and others to California. All the Florida trees died, but they found their niche in California! In fact, most of the California oranges you enjoy today probably came from clones taken from this tree or its co-parent, which sadly died in 1921! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: City Park SW corner of Magnolia and Arlington Sts Riverside, CA 92506 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~58mi (94km) — 1hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
