ROOTED HERE
Behind the downtown streets.
A whole city’s story.
Jurupa Valley links distinct communities, equestrian roots and the Santa Ana River across a broad city landscape.
People made the city.
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The history of Jurupa Valley, California
A local history film shared by World History Official tv.
Watch on YouTube ↗- 1838
Rancho Jurupa
The Jurupa name entered the region's land record through the Mexican grant Rancho Jurupa.
Jurupa Valley city reference ↗ - 1887
Jurupa Valley in print
The term Jurupa Valley was in recorded use for lands along the northeast side of the Santa Ana River.
Jurupa Valley city reference ↗ - 1992
First incorporation vote
Voters rejected the first set of measures proposed to form a city.
Jurupa Valley city reference ↗ - 2011
A new city
Voters approved incorporation, and Jurupa Valley officially became a city on July 1.
Jurupa Valley city reference ↗ - 2014
The funding challenge
The new city warned Riverside County's formation commission that lost state revenue might force disincorporation.
Jurupa Valley city reference ↗
See the history for yourself.
Walk downtown to see surviving commercial architecture, then explore the Historical Preservation Society’s museum and visiting information. Check current opening dates before setting out. Historical Preservation Society.
For deeper research, the Jurupa Valley library resources is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.