By 1889 the Riverside Trust Co. Ltd. ( London registry) had been formed by investors from the United Kingdom and 6,000 acres of land were purchased southwest of the present City of Riverside . The financial resources for this purchase and for the extension and improvement of the existing canal from the upper Santa Ana basin were provided by this British Company. Promotion for the development clearly targeted the affluent, introducing the concept of a “gentleman orchardist,” living on his own orchard! Lots were large and rights to canal water was purchased with each plot.

In a word the project was successful. The “English Colony” was the term applied to this group by the earlier residents in the area; and the “Colony” soon introduced its own lifestyle. This included the early appearance of the Riverside Polo and Golf Club (circa 1888), the Victoria Golf Club (1891) and the Tuesday Music Club, all with afternoon tea!

The “show-piece” of this 19 th Century development was a divided parkway, which ran for ten miles (East to West). A nationally recognized landscape architect, Franz P Hosp, was chosen as the designer, and his proposal reflected Victorian concepts of order and inclusiveness. Each species of roadside tree was organized in quarter mile segments, and included species selected as native to and representative of every coninent!

Prior to 1905 over 5'500 large border trees, and 2,500 flowering trees has been planted. Much of this was carried out by the growers under the direction of Franz Hosp. In 1902 the right-of-way was deeded to the City of Riverside .

What Victoria Avenue Provides to the Area and to the World!

The Avenue has always been a combination of an historical landmark, a recreational park and linear botanical garden.

Historians regard it as a perfect example of the “ Grand Highway ” concept of the Victorian landscape design. The cross-sectional “profile” of The Avenue, with four rows of very tall trees running its entire length, and flowering trees and shrubs in the median, is typical of this concept. The Avenue was named for Queen Victoria with her express permission (circa 1900), and was dedicated to her memory in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt. On that occasion he planted a Mexican Fan Palm (still standsing) at its entry. Victoria Avenue is listed in the State and National Register of Historic Places.

The Avenue is a major recreational park for Southern California . The median was originally a bridle path and one still sees horses in some sections. The two lateral “paths” are actively used by joggers, hikers, dog-walkers, and bird watchers! Members of Victoria Avenue Forever (500 strong) garden the median on Saturdays.

The Avenue was originally designed as a “botanical garden,” and it retains this distinction. Its 91 different tree species include 14 varieties of Eucalyptus, one of which could only be identified with help from Australian botanists. In a 1995 survey, there were 1302 Mexican Fan Palms, 388 Crepe Myrtle, 273 Eucalyptus, 191 Magnolia (2 species), 99 Redbud, 79 Chaste Trees, 64 Jacarandas, etd. Authorities and students of botany make frequent visits to The Avenue. Its miles of “Ragged Robin” roses have become regional landmarks.

Subsequent History of The Avenue

Recent decades did not deal kindly with Victoria Avenue . After 1950, commercial and residential development was apparent at both ends, and the initial limited-access roadway policy was violated at the several crossings. These changes have been progressive despite vigorous protests by volunteer groups.

Almost miraculously, a six-mile section midway through The Avenue has retained its original character, largely through the efforts of such groups and some enlightened city and county officials. This section is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.