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Arnold Heights, California facts for kids

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Arnold Heights
Arnold Heights is located in California
Arnold Heights
Arnold Heights
Location in California
Arnold Heights is located in the United States
Arnold Heights
Arnold Heights
Location in the United States
Country United States
State California
County Riverside County
Elevation
1,558 ft (475 m)

Arnold Heights was a small community in Riverside County, California. It was an "unincorporated community," meaning it was a place with homes and people, but it didn't have its own local government like a city. Instead, it was managed by the county. This area was located about 8 miles (13 km) southeast of the city of Riverside. It sat at an elevation of 1,558 feet (475 meters) above sea level.

History of Arnold Heights

How Arnold Heights Started

The community of Arnold Heights began in 1945. It was built on land that used to be a military training camp called Camp Haan. The idea was to create homes for people who worked at the nearby March Air Force Base. Even though the idea started in 1945, the homes were actually built a bit later, in 1953.

Who Was Arnold Heights Named After?

Arnold Heights was named after a famous military leader. He was Army General Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold. General Arnold was a very important person in the United States military.

What the Homes Were Like

The homes in Arnold Heights were usually about 1,000 square feet in size. This is roughly the size of a small house. Each home also had a small carport, which is like a covered parking spot for a car. The front yards of these homes were watered and green. However, the backyards were left as desert, showing the natural dry landscape of the area.

When the Community Was Emptied

There were about 588 single-story homes in Arnold Heights. The community was emptied in 1998. This happened because March Air Force Base became smaller. It changed from a full Air Force Base to an Air Force Reserve Facility. This meant fewer military personnel were needed there.

Arnold Heights as "Camp Matilda"

After the community was empty, it was used for a special purpose. Between January 2004 and August 2005, about 35,000 Marines trained there. They called the vacated community "Camp Matilda." It was a place where they could practice important skills.

What Happened Next

After the Marines finished their training, the homes in Arnold Heights were torn down. The land was then planned to become part of a new development. This new area was called the Meridian Business Center.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Arnold Heights para niños

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