Mount Rubidoux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Rubidoux |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,331 ft (406 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 484 ft (148 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Rubidoux
Location in California
Mount Rubidoux
Location in the United States
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| Parent range | San Bernardino Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Riverside West |
Mount Rubidoux is a special mountain in Riverside, California. It's a city park and a famous landmark. This mountain was once a popular spot for tourists in Southern California. It's also home to the oldest outdoor Easter Sunrise service in the United States.
Many important markers and memorials are on the mountain. The most famous is a cross at the very top. This cross honors Father Junípero Serra. Most of Mount Rubidoux belongs to the City of Riverside. However, a small part at the peak is owned by Rivers & Lands Conservancy. This happened after a legal discussion about the cross.
The Santa Ana River flows right at the bottom of the mountain. It marks the edge between Riverside and the Rubidoux area of Jurupa Valley. The mountain got its name from Louis Rubidoux. He started his Rancho Rubidoux in 1847.
Contents
Discover Mount Rubidoux!
A Look Back: Mount Rubidoux's Story
Historians believe Mount Rubidoux was first called Pachappa. They think its name might have been changed long ago. This change could have made a ranch called Rancho Jurupa much bigger. It might have included all of what is now downtown Riverside.
How the Park Began
In 1906, a group of important people bought the mountain. This group included Frank Augustus Miller, who owned the famous Mission Inn. They wanted to build a road to the top. Their goal was to create a park for the city of Riverside.
The park was first called Huntington Park. Later, it was renamed the Frank A. Miller Mount Rubidoux Memorial Park. This happened in 1955 when Frank Miller's family gave the land to the city. A special bridge, the Testimonial Peace Tower, was built in 1925. It was dedicated to Miller. This bridge looks like an old bridge in Alcántara, Spain.
Special Memorials and Bridges
The first improvements to the mountain, including the road, finished in 1907. The cross and a special stone at the top honor Father Junipero Serra. This memorial was dedicated on April 26, 1907. People say Serra often traveled through this valley. He would rest at the Rubidoux Rancho.
In 1909, a beautiful sunset over Mount Rubidoux inspired a famous song. Carrie Jacobs-Bond wrote "A Perfect Day". For many years, this song played daily on the Mission Inn's bells.
Mount Rubidoux became Riverside City Landmark no. 26. It has been a city park since 1955. The park has 3.5 miles of paved and dirt trails for hiking.
The Famous Easter Sunrise Service
In April 1909, a man named Jacob Riis visited Riverside. He was a friend of President Theodore Roosevelt. Riis suggested holding an Easter sunrise service on the mountain. The very next Sunday, the first outdoor Easter Sunrise Service in the U.S. took place there. It was open to everyone, no matter their religion.
Each year, more and more people came. By 1912, about 3,000 people gathered. The service became famous across the country and even worldwide. It attracted large crowds and well-known people. In the 1920s, over 30,000 people sometimes attended!
The popularity of the Mount Rubidoux Easter services led to many similar events. Other places, like the Hollywood Bowl, started their own sunrise services.
Keeping the Cross on the Mountain
In 2012, a group raised concerns about the cross on city land. They believed it went against a rule about keeping government separate from religion. This rule is part of the United States Constitution.
In January 2013, the Riverside city council decided to sell the cross. They also sold a small piece of land around it. This land included the cross, the steps, and a small paved area. It was sold at a public auction.
A group called "Totally Mt. Rubidoux" formed to help. They wanted to make sure the cross and the peak stayed open to the public. This group raised nearly $260,000 from the community.
On April 11, 2013, "Totally Mt. Rubidoux" won the auction. They bought the peak for $10,500. The Rivers & Lands Conservancy now owns and manages the peak. The money raised helps keep the land maintained and open for everyone to enjoy forever.
Mount Rubidoux Today: Fun for Everyone!
Mount Rubidoux is still a very important place for the people of Riverside. On April 12, 2009, the 100th anniversary of the Easter Sunrise service was celebrated. Every Fourth of July, the city launches its main fireworks show from the mountain top.
Mount Rubidoux Park is open from dawn until dusk. It covers about 161 acres (0.65 km²) and has 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of roads and hiking trails. Cars are not allowed, but many people enjoy walking, jogging, and biking. The hill is also a popular spot for bouldering, which is like rock climbing on smaller rocks.
The city and a group called Friends of Mount Rubidoux keep the trails in good shape. This group is made of volunteers. They work to restore, preserve, and make the park beautiful. They also help people learn about its rich history.
See also
- Mount Soledad Cross lawsuits, a long legal discussion about a cross in San Diego, California
- Salazar v. Buono, a U.S. Supreme Court case about a cross in the Mojave Desert
- Mount Davidson (California) § The cross, legal challenges to the Mount Davidson Cross in San Francisco
- Serra Cross (Ventura, California), a cross on public land in Ventura, California, that also faced legal questions
