Hemet Local Guides - History of the Hemet and San Jacinto Valley

 Hemet Local Guides by Mission Grove Realty (951) 927-8940

The Hemet and San Jacinto Valley is rich is history. One of the most recent discoveries in the Valley are fossilized remains of  early Mastodons which inhabited the Valley over 50,000 years ago and are on display at the Western Center for Archeology and Paleontology right here in the Valley.

• The first modern inhabitants were members of the Cahuilla Indian tribe. Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-we-ah) means "masters" or "powerful one" and 2,500 years ago these fiercely resourceful people learned to survive the blistering temperatures of the dry, unyielding land by digging wells. They devised creative methods for using local plant life such as acorns, mesquite and pinyon. And they built their homes (known as a kish) from reeds, branches and brush.
• In the early 1800's, the Valley became a cattle ranch for Mission San Luis Rey and was called Rancho San Jacinto. In 1842, when the missions were broken up by the Mexican government, the land was awarded to Jose Antonio Estudillo . The Estudillo Mansion is Located near downtown San Jacinto and is currently under restoration.
• Through the efforts of local landowners, the creation of the Hemet Dam which provided water for irrigation and the first railroad to the Valley, Hemet started to prosper and develop. Area farmers used irrigation water from the Hemet Dam irrigation water to grow alfalfa fields, fruit orchards and row crops, particularly potatoes. Some areas are still producing citrus, potatoes and other crops. Cattle and dairy farming soon became a major source of local revenue and some dairies still remain in light of development and rising land values.
• On January 11, 1910, residents voted to incorporate as a city and formal incorporation was on January 20, 1910.
• One Valley claim to fame is  the annual Ramona Pageant. Events which took place in the Valley were the inspiration for  Helen Hunt Jackson's book, Ramona. From 1923 the people of Hemet and San Jacinto have participated in the pageant that is held each spring.
• Hemet changed dramatically in the 1960's.  Sierra Dawn, the country's first "mobile home subdivision" in which individual lots were sold was built during that time and other retirement areas were soon developed creating a virtual "Mecca" for retirees from all over the country.
• Florida Ave., the main artery through Hemet was, by many accounts,  the Country's wealthiest street, per capita, second only to Wall Street. With a swelling population of retirees and nearly 40 banks on the 5 mile stretch of Florida Ave, it would not be hard to believe.
• Many years have passed since the incorporation of Hemet and much has changed. The Valley has seen it's average age decrease from nearly 70 in it's "Hemet is Heaven" retirement community days to just under 40. Over 30,000 new homes have been constructed in recent years with the same amount soon to come and in various stages of development creating much need for commercial development, road improvements and ancillary services.
• Hemets major sources of employment are Service industries, hospitality and Medical services. Edlebrock, Hilton Reservations Worldwide, Skyline and many others also call the Valley home and provide sources of employment for Valley Residents. Technology based companies would benefit from the Valley's central location to major Cities, affordable housing and source of labor yet, have not made it into the valley....as of now. Like water, Technology based companies will be the catalyst for the next portion of our Valley's history.
• The formation of the Valley Economic Development Corporation under the direction of it's many members, directors and the watchful eye of Executive Director Diane Wirth, has been instrumental in bringing much needed change to the face of the valley. Helping to locate companies in the industries of recreation, entertainment, technology/manufacturing, communications that may be looking to expand or relocate to Southern California and would be compatible with the valley's future needs has been the VEDC's primary goal.

Well, here you have a little history of the Hemet and San Jacinto Valley. If you would like to learn more, please call Mission Grove Realty  (951) 927-8940 and we will provide you with area contacts, points of interest, area maps  and more of our Valley's rich history. When visiting Hemet, stop by and say hi. We would love to share more about our valley with you.

Hemet local guides provided by Mission Grove Realty as a service to our community. Thank you for using our guides and hope that they provide a glimpse into our wonderful community. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.