<P> The trees thrived in the southern California climate and the navel orange industry grew rapidly . Many growers purchased bud wood and then grafted the cuttings to root stock . Within a few years, the successful cultivation of many thousands of the newly discovered Brazilian navel orange led to a California Gold Rush of a different kind: the establishment of the citrus industry, which is commemorated in the landscapes and exhibits of the California Citrus State Historic Park and the restored packing houses in the downtown's Marketplace district . By 1882, there were more than half a million citrus trees in California, almost half of which were in Riverside . The development of refrigerated railroad cars and innovative irrigation systems established Riverside as the richest city in the United States (in terms of income per capita) by 1895 . </P> <P> As the city prospered, a small guest hotel designed in the popular Mission Revival style, known as the Glenwood Tavern, eventually grew to become the Mission Inn, which was favored by presidents, royalty and movie stars . Inside was housed a special chair made for the sizable President William Howard Taft . The hotel was modeled after the missions left along the California coast by Franciscan friars in the 18th and 19th centuries . (Although Spanish missionaries came as far inland as San Bernardino (San Bernardino de Sena Estancia), east of Riverside, there was no actual Spanish mission in what is now Riverside .) Postcards of lush orange groves, swimming pools and magnificent homes have attracted vacationers and entrepreneurs throughout the years . Many relocated to the warm, dry climate for reasons of health and to escape Eastern winters . Victoria Avenue, with its scattering of elegant turn - of - the - century homes, and citrus - lined paseo, serves as a reminder of European investors who settled here . </P> <P> Riverside is the 59th largest city in the United States, 12th largest city in California, and the largest city in California's Inland Empire metro area . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 81.4 square miles (210.8 km), of which 81.1 square miles (210 km) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km) (0.37%) is water . The elevation of downtown Riverside is 860 feet (260 m). Hills within the city limits include Mount Rubidoux, a city landmark and tourist attraction . Riverside is surrounded by small and large mountains, some of which get a dusting of winter snow . Many residents also enjoy the many beaches of southern California . Riverside is about a 47 - mile drive to the Pacific Ocean and is close to Orange county and Los Angeles county . </P> <P> Riverside is home to the historic Mission Inn, the Beaux - Arts style Riverside County Historic Courthouse (based on the Petit Palais in Paris, France), and the Riverside Fox Theater, where the first showing of the 1939 film Gone with the Wind took place . The theater was purchased by the city and refurbished as part of the Riverside Renaissance Initiative . The Fox Theater underwent extensive renovation and restoration, which was completed in 2009, to turn the old cinema into a performing arts theater . The building was expanded to hold 1,600 seats and the stage was enlarged to accommodate Broadway - style performances . In January 2010, singer Sheryl Crow opened the newly remodeled Fox Theater in a nearly sold - out show . </P>

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