Anti-Japanese Sentiments (1941-1942):

The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 affected many Californian cities, including Riverside. As anti-Japanese sentiments intensified after the attack, Japanese-Americans began to suffer even more from brutal ethno-racial discrimination. Alone, Riverside County had just about two-hundred individuals of Japanese descent living within its boundaries. As a result of discriminatory legislation, each Japanese-American individual had to “register at civil controls stations in preparation for departure to reception or Assembly centers,” a move which the community supported.3 In fact, in February 1942 the Los Angeles Times stated that, “Farmers [of Riverside County] might take ‘matters into their own hands,’ unless action is soon taken by government agencies.” 4 The situation was further elaborated on, as the article continued to declare that “the County Board of Supervisors…adopted a resolution urging Army officials to remove from California all enemy aliens and persons of Japanese birth, regardless of American citizenship.”5 Therefore, like many other California cities, Riverside found itself ruled by xenophobic fear after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Agriculture (1942-1943):

Agriculture played an important role in WWII. As an agricultural city, Riverside was particularly active in agriculture matters during the war itself, especially as growing numbers urban civilians and soldiers relied on farmers to sustain them. The city’s fruit and field production helped reach war food quotas. Not only were quotas satisfied, but fruit production actually exceeded them.6 As a result, citrus fruits were shipped by massive numbers, to the people of the Allied nations.7

Since the farmers of Riverside were depended on, they expected the California government to respect their voice in agricultural matters. In 1942 farmers of Riverside petitioned against the California government’s proposed regulation of citrus farms. Thus, “the petitioning group was made up of 65 Riverside and San Bernardino county men” with “1947 acres of oranges” addressing “their plea to the United States Secretary of Agriculture, asking him not to carry out his proposed marketing order.”8 The community showed strong support for the war, but they still wished to retain their original farming practices. Therefore, this scenario demonstrated that Riverside farmers were willing to support the war effort but believed they could do through their own means and without state regulation.

Wartime Support (1943-1945):

The community showed their support for the WWII effort on the ‘home front’ by participating in drives and purchasing war bonds. Women would coordinate drives to collect items, even looking through their closets, finding items to send to soldiers on the war front.9 Likewise, there were numerous reports of women demonstrating support for the Riverside community, as their loved ones held positions at nearby army bases. For example, Eleanor Hinton and Marie Miller aided the army base depot by driving trucks full of supplies and unloading the boxes every single day.10

In addition, Riverside’s contribution was key when it came to fundraising. The county’s Red Cross set a goal of $103,000 for Riverside; however, Riverside exceeded this goal, raising $108,966.16.11 Not only was the city a great location to fundraise, but also was the center of a meeting for the World Affairs Group at the iconic Mission Inn. Thus, political scientists, historians, journalists, and academic headliners came together and discussed the war.12

        Riverside was also politically invested in the war effort. Therefore, the campaign of 1944 revolved around aiding war efforts. War chest leaders came together to discuss what could be done in order to help the war effort. As the Chest desired funds for USO, War Prisoners Aid, sixteen United Nations relief agencies, and home-front welfare, Riverside stepped in to help.13 By aiming to help recover those affected by the war, Riverside leaders reflected the importance the city placed on aiding those in need.

As noted by the Los Angeles Times in 1943, Riverside County had become a node of activity for active supporters for the war effort.14 Therefore, it was evident that the community was not only socially involved in the war, but also economically and politically.

Veteran Aid (1946):

By 1946, veterans had gathered in the Riverside area, holding a meeting in Palm Springs.15 Palm Springs served as the rehabilitation center for veterans; they would visit the nearby desert location in order to recover from repercussions of war. People wanted to aid and show support to those who fought in WWII, displaying the true appreciation the community had for the former soldiers. Additionally, services developed to support veterans, such as Veterans Administration offices in Los Angeles and contact station, which were established wherever population, personnel, and equipment were warranted.16 Riverside and the Inland Empire displayed support for those who served the United States.

All in all, the city of Riverside played an essential role in WWII. The city, which was known for its agriculture, helped produce surpluses to aid those at war both at the home front and abroad. In addition, the city worked to raise funds that would benefit soldiers and any need the Army faced. Riverside focused on taking a stance politically by promoting the need to help alleviate the war aftermath in their 1944 campaign. Overall, it is clear to see the important role Riverside played during and after WWII.

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1 “History of Riverside,” City of Riverside: City of Arts & Innovation, accessed May 8, 2018, https://www.riversideca.gov/visiting-aboutriv.asp.

2 “Camp Haan,” Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations, and Airfields, accessed May 8, 2018, http://www.militarymuseum.org/cphaan.html.

3 “New Jap Evacuation Orders to Move 3000 More at Once: Army Notices Affect Imperial, Riverside and 10 Counties in Northern California and Oregon,” Los Angeles Times, May 15, 1942.

4 “The SOUTHLAND: Farmers Threaten to Oust Japanese Riverside Supervisors Urge Immediate Removal of All Aliens Without Regard to Citizenship,” Los Angeles Times, February 25, 1942.

5 “The SOUTHLAND: Farmers Threaten to Oust Japanese Riverside Supervisors Urge Immediate Removal of All Aliens Without Regard to Citizenship,” Los Angeles Times, February 25, 1942.

6 “Riverside County,” Los Angeles Times, January 2, 1943.

7 “Riverside County,” Los Angeles Times, January 2, 1943.

8 “Orange Growers Disagree on Proposal for Marketing: Fruit Growers’ Exchange Supports Federal Plan While Riverside Group Wants Order Thrown Out,” Los Angeles Times, April 21, 1942.

9 “Women Find Salvage Goods in Home Bins,” Los Angeles Times, June 2, 1944.

10 “Women Work at Army Depot--One 310 Pounds, Other 84,” Los Angeles Times, August 14, 1944.

11 “Riverside County,” Los Angeles Times, January 2, 1943.

12 “War News Jolts Institute Delegates,” Los Angeles Times, December 8, 1945.

13 “War News Jolts Institute Delegates,” Los Angeles Times, December 8, 1945.

14 “Riverside County,” Los Angeles Times, January 2, 1943.

15 “World War II Vets Organize Post Here,” Desert Sun 2 August 1946 — California Digital Newspaper Collection, accessed May 8, 2018, https://cdnc.ucr.edu.

16 “Urge Veterans to Contact the Nearest Office for Help,” Desert Sun 1 November 1946 — California Digital Newspaper Collection, accessed May 8, 2018, https://cdnc.ucr.edu.