City history
Explore the history of San Bernardino, from its origins as a pioneer colony to its development as a vital transportation hub in the Inland Empire.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Saint Bernardino"
Reliable indigenous names are not documented in these records; the earliest documented historical name is the San Bernardino Colony, established in 1851.
Religious colony name
This community was founded by Mormon pioneers seeking to establish their religious colony.
Saint Bernardino
Following the exodus, the settlement was reorganized and incorporated under its current name.
Chapter two
The expansion of railroads through the San Bernardino Valley necessitated the adoption of standardized time to coordinate regional schedules.
California adopted standardized daylight saving time practices following federal legislation to ensure consistency across the entire United States.
Chapter three
A group of Mormon settlers established the San Bernardino Colony, marking the formal start of organized settlement in the valley.
Due to the tensions of the Utah War, the original Mormon settlers departed, significantly changing the local social landscape.
The arrival of major rail lines transformed the city into a critical transit hub for the Southern California region.
The development of irrigation systems led to a massive boom in the local citrus industry, which defined the economy.