t the most picturesque point in the range of the red lands, where the land rises from the plain and slopes upward toward the south like a section of a stupendous amphitheatre, there was born the urban infant, that gave its name to the territory now included in its boundaries, and with a few years was destined to grow into a vigorous healthy and beautiful young city. Previous to its birth, however, there was a settlement to the northward, on the gray lands, bearing the name of a Mexican family, which formerly owned fast acreage in this neighborhood. Our respected fellow citizen, J. B. Glover, was the second person to locate a claim therein. George A. Craw had previously taken up 160 acres, but he remained only a few months.

Lugonia, with its affix to the name of Lugo, was originally a sort of headquarters for ranch and cattle men in the upper end of the valley. In 1874 an orchard of various fruits was planted, a school opened in the spring of 1877, an extensive vineyard (Stillman's) of 100 acres planted in 1879, a dryer (Judson & Brown's) built in the summer of 1880, and a general merchandise store, opened by George A. Cook, in October, 1881. The later mercantile venture was so successful that the proprietor was "five times compelled to enlarge his place in four years." His customers were not only ranchers but Indians, who came long distances to trade. The struggling settlement in time grew to such proportions that a regular stage line to San Bernardino city was established, in 1882, and later in the same year a post office was opened and the prosperous merchant was made a postmaster.

But while the settlement of Lugonia was thriving, attention was being attracted to the fertile red lands lying to the southward.

The firm of Judson & Brown, who had acquired title to large holdings in the neighborhood, determined to divide parts of their property into small tracts, which might be purchased and improved by persons of moderate means. The primary requisite to this enterprise, a supply of water for domestic and irrigating purposes, was furnished by means of a ditch leading from the Santa Ana river, four or five miles distant. The marketing of these tracts, by intelligent business methods, involving extensive advertising, directed attention to the new settlement, and it soon became an interesting locality to home-seekers from the East.

The fame of this district, with is prolific soil and salubrious climate, at length reached Chicago, and in a coterie of residents, who were eager to escape from the capricious weather of the Lake City, an association was formed with the object of looking for new homes under the genial skies of Southern California. Accordingly, the Chicago-California colonization Society was incorporated in the spring of 1886, and a committee of three persons was sent hither "to spy out the land." The committee consisted of Messrs. R. J. Waters, H. C. Malone and J.W. Ludlam. Their report of the red lands was highly favorable, the purchase of a large tract was effected, and the practical work of colonization began. The land was divided into five and ten acre tracts and drawn by lot, on a fixed valuation of $90 per acre. This amount represented $30 per acre for the land value and $60 per acre for a share of water subsequently to be furnished, including the pro rata cost of piping.

But the successful development of these tracts and the growing prosperity of Lugonia, at length led the sagacious firm of Judson & Brown to consider the feasibility of a town site, south of Lugonia, where the land was admirably adapted for business purposes, as well as for residences. They were not long in reaching a decision. A lot survey was made. Business streets were projected on the level ground, fine residence avenues were laid out on the beautiful up slope, and there, ten years ago last spring, A.D. 1887, was born the infant city.

(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 2)