A Brief History of Moreno Valley CA

Moreno Valley was originally inhabited by Native Americans of the Shoshone tribe. When California entered the United States as a state in 1850, Americans began to move into the area. The big growth of Moreno Valley began in 1918, when the United States Air Force constructed March Field on the outskirts of Riverside as part of its World War I expansion. March Field was initially used to train fighter pilots. Moreno Valley experienced explosive growth in the 1980s; by 1984, the valley's population was 49,702 (contrasted with 18,871 residents in 1970). The state economic boom fueled the construction of new houses and businesses. This growth led to a push for incorporation. Although similar measures had failed in 1968 and 1983, a measure to form the city of Moreno Valley was approved by voters in 1984.