De Anza Statue on Magnolia Ave.

In the small Newman Park (4444 Magnolia Ave., Riverside) on the corner of Magnolia Ave. and 14th St. is a striking statue of the Spanish explorer Don Juan Bautista de Anza who was the first known person of European descent to visit the Riverside area.  The statue was one of the federal WPA projects providing work during the great depression.  It was sculpted by Sherman “Sherry” Peticolas and was completed in 1940. Of note, Ed Loustaunau, of Riverside, and a direct descendent of Anza’s brother Francisco served as the model. It is flanked by a curved etched wall designed by Dorr Bothwell showing the departure from Tubac, New Spain (now Arizona) in 1775 of the second De Anza expedition departing to blaze the first overland trail to California and establish the Presidio and a Mission within the future City of San Francisco.  More information about the statue can be in a Press Enterprise article about the history of the statue and a webpage about New Deal projects.   

Red Interlocking Cube Sculpture on Indiana Ave.

There is a red sculpture of interlocking cubes in front of the Indiana Business Center building at 6700 Indiana Ave., Riverside.  The artist who designed the sculpture is unknown.  

Ysmael Villegas Memorial Statue

A statue honoring Staff Sargent Ysmael Villegas, Riverside's first Medal of Honor recipient, is located near City Hall (3698 10th Street, Riverside).  Sargent Villegas died heroically during the latter portion of World War II in the Philippines.  The statue was made by Gary Coutrer and was dedicated in 1995.  The associated plaque states "Never Forgotten - Forever Remembered."  It is one of the statues highlighted in a recent video on Riverside's Peace or Civil Rights walk by the City of Riverside. 

"3 Cubes" Sculpture

Within the Main Street pedestrian mall downtown at 3824 Main St. was an interesting sculpture consisting of three stainless steel oblong shapes with a red sphere within the uppermost oblong.  The sculpture was created by Dale Rogers in 2009 and is entitled, "3 Cubes".  On April 12, 2023 when I returned to the area, the sculpture was no longer there.  

Chinese Pavilion

On the corner of Mission Inn Ave. and Orange St. in front of the Cheech Museum (3581 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside) is beautiful Chinese pavilion, built in recognition of the contributions of Chinese workers and immigrants who were early settlers in Riverside.  It was constructed between 1986 to 1987. The architect was Yuen-Chen Yu and the materials designer was Dr. Ying Sung.  The entrance is flanked by two donated ceremonial marble lions.  More information about the pavilion and its history can be found here.   

Sierra Middle School Mural

The front of Sierra Middle School (4950 Central Ave., Riverside) has a bright mural exhibiting the school name and its mascot, the eagle.  The artist is unknown.

  

Sundial Clock

On the corner of Mission Inn Ave. and Orange St. in front of the Cheech Museum (3581 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside) is an interesting sundial clock which was designed, constructed and donated to the City of Riverside in 1968 by Imre Kalincsak, a local clockmaker.  More information about the sundial can be found on a webpage of the North American Sundial Society.  More about Mr. Kalincsak can be found in a Press Enterprise article on his death.

Japanese Stone Lantern from Sister City

Near City Hall (at about 3698 10th Street, Riverside) is located a Japanese stone lantern which was presented to Riverside in 1975 by the City of Sendai in Japan, one of Riverside's sister cities.  The lamp seems to be glowing continuously and the plaque says "May our ties of friendship continue forever".  

Victoria Elementary School Murals

Victoria Elementary School at 2910 Arlington Ave., Riverside sports two impressive murals.  The mural located facing Arlington Ave. contains two Riverside-originating orange crate label pictures flanking the school name. It was painted by Tom Seibert of Murals for Schools, Inc.  The second shows the school name filled with images of oranges, orange groves, a raincross and the Mission Inn and was painted by Robin Golden.

Jackson Elementary School Mural

Jackson Elementary School (4585 Jackson St., Riverside) has a nice mural sporting the school name and its mascot, the jaguars.  The artist is unknown.  

"Tripod" Modern Art Sculpture on Arlington Ave.

On a triangle of land near the Airport Fire Station #5 at 5883 Arlington Ave., Riverside is a red-colored modern sculpture entitled, "Tripod".  The sculpture was created in 1976 by James Rosati and was originally located on the downtown pedestrian mall in Riverside.  After another of Rosati's sculptures was demolished when the World Trade Center was destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, Riverside's sculpture was relocated to the fire station and rededicated in 2008 in honor of the men and women of Riverside's fire department who responded to our nation's call to go to New York City and help in the aftermath of the attack  As indicated on a plaque that stands at the base of the sculpture, the statue stands "in lasting tribute to their valor and this community's commitment to preserving freedom both here and abroad."  

#Rosati sculpture, #9-11, #fireman tribute, #Riverside monument

Ben Franklin Elementary School Murals

Ben Franklin Elementary School (19661 Orange Terrace Parkway, Riverside) has a variety of murals, some highlighting the attributes of Franklin and his contributions to our nation. Others show different types of aircraft illustrating the school mascot, the Flyers. The murals were painted by Murals for Schools, by a team led by its artist Tom Seibert @muralsforschools.  

 

Rocket Store Union 76 Gas Station Mural

To the side of the Rocket Store at the Union 76 gas station at 6020 Arlington Ave., Riverside is a colorful nature-themed mural.  It is unsigned.