Victorville, California

Victorville, Ca. Honoring Jacob N. Victor, construction superintendent of the Santa Fe through the Cajon, the name Victor was given to the railroad's telegraph station and "Y" built a mile northwest of the upper narrows of the Mojave. When the trains came through, probably the only buildings in this area were the Rogers log cabin on the east side and the J. C. Turner ranch to the north.

Victorville

This railroad activity was. basis enough for the starting of a small community. A store or two, blacksmith shop and two saloons east of the tracks became the neucleus of a business district which gradually expanded westward. During the surrounding mining activity, the community boasted one of the finest gold stamp mills.

"D" Street - Victorville

In 1901, the post office changed the name to Victorville, claiming there was confusion with Victor, Colorado. Victorville had become the largest community and trading center in Victor Valley, benefitting from increased railroad and road travel, mining and agriculture. In the 1910's and 1920's, Victorville and its "wild west" back country were used for more than 200 movie films.

The industrial future of Victorville was assured with the erection in 1917 of the Southwestern Portland Cement Co. plant and this has remained as its leading industry.

Victorville's growth kept pace with that of Southern California during the years that followed. The great surge forward developed immediately after World War II, when smog free desert climate in the high elevation Mojave attracted more and more newcomers. It was inevitable that resort communities would come into being, thus augmenting the economy of Victor Valley. The past ten years has witnessed Victorville's greatest population growth and the expansion of its business and distribution facilities. It is the home of the San Bernardino County Fair, and thousands view the exhibits and the R. C. A. Championship Rodeo.

History of San Bernardino County

by John Brown Jr. - 1922

Victorville is a town of about 750 people, and is not incorporated. It lies about in the center of Victor Valley, on the Mojave River, 44 miles north of San Bernardino. The main lines of the Santa Fe and Salt Lake railroads pass through it. The town has good schools, with eleven teachers ; an M. E. church ; a weekly newspaper, the Victor-Valley-News- Herald ; one drug store, ice manufacturing plant, three hotels, and one bank, the officers of which are: C. M. Moon, president; George R. Searls, vice president; John Christenson, secretary; S. A. Hedding, treasurer. There is in Victorville a plant which manufactures fibre from a desert plant commonly called Spanish dagger. This fibre is used for binding twine and rope. Near the town is the Southwestern Portland Cement Company's plant, manufacturing 2,500 barrels of cement per day. At Oro Grande, five miles north, is located the Golden Gate Cement Co.'s plant, with a capacity of 1,000 bbls. per day. The former company employs 125 men; monthly payroll is $20,000; the latter employs 80 men with a monthly payroll of $12,000.

The elevation of Victorville is 2,710 feet. There are about 2,500 acres planted to deciduous fruits in Victor Valley and 1,500 acres of alfalfa and about 8,000 tons were grown in 1920. Victor Valley Union High School District consists of the following elementary districts : Apple Valley, Baldy Messa, Big Bear Lake, Hesperia, Lucerne, Midway, Mirage Valley, Oro Grande, Sheep Creek, Sunrise, Victor. The district has a valuation of $2,644,450.