Mount Rubidoux and Riverside as viewed by Tribune Photographer and Expert Automobile Special Writer

Every now and then I come across a piece of writing that I find interesting, this one came out of a Riverside Enterprise article from February 1913.  I honestly can’t remember now where I found it but I had typed it up in a personal archive so I’m sharing it now.  Enjoy! 

 

 

Riverside Enterprise, February 1913

Mount Rubidoux and Riverside as viewed by Tribune Photographer and Expert Automobile Special Writer

Here is a story of Rubidoux written for the Los Angeles Tribune by R. E Taylor:

When Messrs. Grundy of the Cole and American agency offered the services of one of their natty tourers to provide Tribune readers with their weekly short run tour the writer was doubly happy.  It was a certainty that the car would take us to our destination and back in faultless fashion and it was equally as sure that the trip would be one in which good-company and good driving mingled.  

Accordingly, when a handsome Cole 60 C model drove up to the Tribune office with Fred Grundy at the wheel, his brother beside him and their wives in the tonneau, it was immediately decided that Riverside and Mount Rubidoux with crowning eminence which looks over a vale of greenery and wealth combined in miles and miles of orange and lemon groves, would be our destination.  Well it was that we chose such an outing for nowhere else in all our marvelous southland is the grandeur of rugged nature brought into such close contract with the master touches of the road-builder. The climb up the mount is over a perfect boulevard, yet on all sides are monster boulders standing out in bold relief where the hand of some prehistoric upheaval tossed them in contemptuous chaos.

Well to get back to our subject and leave Rubidoux until we reach it.  The Cole was piloted out over the familiar route to Pasadena and the smooth, ever-changing Foothill boulevard, Monrovia, Azusa, Glendora, Claremont and the various towns along the way passed behind us in panoramic splendor as Mr. Grundy guided his smooth running car to our destination.  At Upland, or North Ontario, as you choose, we followed Euclid avenue into Ontario proper, and in a few minutes were on the only bad stretch of road encountered on the day’s ride.  The famous Wineville sand was in evidence, but at no stage of the highway idd our car falter or cause Mr. Grundy unnecessary labor in a shift of gears.

The good road was soon picked up and we reached Riverside and the famous and picturesque Glenwood Inn in ample time for luncheon.  The kindly services of De Witt V. Hutchings were requisitioned and the lore of Rubidoux frowning at us from its heights, given us in true legendary manners. 

Our ride up the mountain was inspiring.  While the Cole 60 C bowled along the paved streets and up its way around and around until the summit of the historic eminence is reached Mr. Hutchings place his entire fund of knowledge at our disposal, and we heard at first hand what Rubidoux is, and why.

Rubidoux guards Riverside much as the old Acropolis watches over its favored Athens, explained Mr. Hutchings.  The similarity of size, shape, height and situation of the two is striking in the extreme, and in other points they bear more than a passing likeness.  To primitive tradition and local legend each owes its fame.

To the Indians the mass of gigantic boulders piled in confusion on Rubidoux’s summit told of the conflict between the eagle and the coyote in the process of creation; to the geologist these rocks also speak of conflict-of the period when some vast upheaval of nature’s forces tore asunder the monster pile where Rubidoux now stands, leaving only its very heart of flint to bear witness to some former greatness.

The authentic history of Rubidoux the first Journey across the country over the southern route and with begins with the expedition of the Spanish general DeAzusa, who made his party of one hundred and fifty souls and seven or eight hundred animals camped on Roubidoux’s side on the night of December 31, 1775.  The next day, on which began the most memorable year in American history they crossed Santa Ana river, using the ford at the north end of Rubidoux and passing through the Indian village which then housed the peaceful natives.

In the thirties Luis Robideau, whose memory is still honored by the modern name given the mount a trader known far and wide along the Santa Fe trail bought one-half of the great Jurupa rancho, and included the present site of Riverside and Rubidoux mountain in his holdings.  His abode was erected at the west end of the Santa Ana ford where it passes the mount, and he became the great man of the district as well as the first settler from the “States” in the section.  He performed valiant services for his country in the wars, and entertained both Kearney and Fremont at his home during the stirring troubles with Mexico.

Riverside was settled in 1869 and Rubidoux then untouched by the hand of the road builder, was a favorite with residents, who from its frowning sides could watch their little community expand with each succeeding day.  In 1907 Rubidoux’s local reputation was extended when Frank A. Miller of the Glenwood Inn, C. M Loring of Minneapolis and Henry E. Huntington purchased the mount, employed Brig. General Chittenden to construct a road which would have grades of from four to eight per cent.  The famous government expert who laid out Yellowstone park builded nobly, and the formal opening of the road in 1907 was attended by church dignitaries and notables from all over the world.  A rough hewn cross the counterpart of those which originally marked our California missions, was erected at the summit and the mount was formally christened.  In 1909 President Taft unveiled a tablet to our beloved Junipero Serra which stands beside the memorial cross.  At Easter in 1910 Jacob Riis suggested the famous sunrise services on the mount and on each succeeding anniversary of the ascension of our Savior the ceremonies become more and more inspiring.

As we rode down the mountain and back home along the Valley boulevard the inspiration of the mount was fresh in our minds and as we toiled along the smooth roads with Grundy handling the wheel of the Cole 60 all was silence.