ROOTED HERE
The history of Corona
Follow Grand Boulevard around the Circle City, stop for neighborhood food, and explore Corona’s citrus heritage. The historic center and foothill neighborhoods offer different starting points for a local day out.
People who shaped Corona
Grand Boulevard’s circular plan, citrus growing and the buildings that residents preserved offer several ways into Corona’s past. Visit the library’s Heritage Room for deeper research and check the historical society for current programs.Read the local history.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The History of Corona, California in 34.75 minutes
A local history film shared by Corona Historic Preservation Society.
Watch on YouTube ↗Famous people born in Corona
See all 48 famous people
- 1886
South Riverside takes shape
The town was founded as South Riverside. Its street layout included the circular Grand Boulevard that still defines the historic center.
Read the source ↗ - 1896
A new name: Corona
Residents voted on July 13 to incorporate and change the town’s name to Corona. The Spanish name refers to a crown, fitting the circular boulevard.
Read the source ↗ - Citrus years
Orchards and packing houses
Citrus growing shaped the area’s economy and landscape. Corona Heritage Park offers a local place to explore that agricultural story.
Read the source ↗ - 1913–1916
Racing around the circle
Grand Boulevard hosted major automobile races in 1913, 1914 and 1916. Historic photographs and films preserve a very different view of these familiar streets.
Read the source ↗ - 1923
A landmark for generations
The Mediterranean Revival high school building opened in 1923. It later became the Historic Civic Center, celebrated by the city at its centennial.
Read the source ↗
See the history for yourself.
Start with the cultural places in our directory, then check their current exhibitions and visiting information. Local history and visitor information.
For deeper research, the Corona libraries is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.