Victorville history

The history of Victorville is a classic tale of a city born of the railway and raised at the crossroads of vital transport routes. Its development is inextricably linked to the settlement of the American West and the Mojave Desert.

Foundation and Early Years

The settlement known today as Victorville was founded in 1885 as a railway station for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was originally named "Victor" in honour of Jacob Nash Victor, one of the construction supervisors of the railway. However, to avoid confusion with another town of the same name in Colorado, the name was changed to Victorville in 1901. Before the arrival of the railway, this location was known as Lane's Crossing.

Key Development Factors

Several key factors defined the growth and development of the city:

• Geographical Location: Situated on the edge of the Mojave Desert, near the Mojave River, the city became a vital stop for travellers and transport flows.
• Transport Arteries: Initially, it was the railway, and in the 1920s, the legendary Route 66 passed through the city, transforming Victorville into a major hub on the way to California. This attracted businesses dedicated to serving travellers.
• Economic Activity: Since the early 20th century, cement mining has actively developed in the region, becoming one of the city's first major industries.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first half of the 20th century, Victorville's economy was focused on serving the railway and travellers along Route 66. The city became the embodiment of "Roadside America" with numerous motels, petrol stations, and cafes. Concurrently, agriculture developed, aided by land irrigation from the Mojave River. Today, the California Route 66 Museum, located in Victorville and dedicated to the history of the "Main Street of America," serves as a reminder of that era.

Key Dates in the History of Victorville

The history of Victorville is a chronicle of development from a railway station to a vital transport and logistics hub in the Mojave Desert. Key events reflect its close connection to transport arteries and US military history.

• 1885 — Foundation of the settlement named "Victor" as a watering station for steam locomotives on the new Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line.
• 1901 — The settlement was officially renamed Victorville to avoid confusion with a town of the same name in the state of Colorado.
• 1926 — The legendary Route 66 passed through the city, turning Victorville into an important stopping point for travellers heading to California.
• 1941 — As part of preparations for World War II, the Victorville Army Airfield was established for pilot training.
• 1950 — The airbase was reactivated and renamed George Air Force Base in honour of Brigadier General Harold H. George.
• 1962 — On 21 September, Victorville was officially incorporated and granted city status.
• 1969 — Construction of Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass was completed, becoming the main route and bypassing the old section of Route 66.
• 1992 — George Air Force Base was officially closed as part of military spending reductions following the end of the Cold War, which had a serious impact on the city's economy.
• 1990s — The territory of the former airbase was transformed into a major logistics and transport hub — the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA), specialising in cargo transport and aircraft maintenance.
• 2007 — Victorville attracted international attention by hosting the famous DARPA Grand Challenge robotic vehicle races.

The history of Victorville is a journey from a modest railway post in the Mojave Desert to a significant logistics and transport hub in the southern USA. The city has passed through several key stages that have defined its modern appearance and economy.

Key Milestones in the History of Victorville

• Railway Birth (1885–1901): The settlement emerged in 1885 as a station on the California Southern Railroad and was named "Victor" in honour of the construction chief. This laid the foundation for the future city as a transport point. In 1901, the name was changed to "Victorville" to avoid confusion with another city.
• Legendary Route 66 (1926): The routing of the famous Route 66 through the city turned Victorville into a bustling centre for travellers. Numerous motels, diners, and auto repair shops opened along the route, becoming the backbone of the local economy and culture for many years.
• Military Era: George Air Base (1941–1992): Founded in 1941 as a military airfield, George Air Base became a crucial centre for training US Air Force pilots during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as during the Cold War. The base was the main employer and centre of social life in the region until it closed in 1992.
• Obtaining City Status (1962): On 21 September 1962, Victorville was officially registered as a city. This legal status allowed it to independently manage its growth and development.
• Construction of Interstate 15 (1958–1970s): The arrival of the modern Interstate 15 motorway changed transport flows. Although the highway accelerated connections with other cities, it bypassed the historic centre, leading to the decline of many establishments on the old Route 66.
• Economic Transformation (post-1992): The closure of the airbase was a serious challenge for the city, but authorities successfully repurposed its territory. Today, it is the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) — a major cargo and commercial aviation hub that has become a new engine for the economy.
• Preserving Heritage: The city is home to the California Route 66 Museum, located in a historic building. It plays an important role in preserving the cultural heritage of the "Main Street of America" and attracts tourists interested in history.

Victorville's architecture is a visual reflection of its history as a transport hub and economic centre in the Mojave Desert. Unlike old cities with centuries of history, you will not find Gothic or Renaissance styles here. Urban development was entirely subordinate to pragmatic goals: first the railway, then the legendary Route 66, and finally, the post-war demographic boom.

Early Period and Old Town

Founded in 1885 as a railway station, the city initially developed around it. The architecture of Old Town Victorville on D Street and Seventh Street was predominantly functional — these were simple commercial buildings and residential houses typical of the American West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, this district is the focus of efforts to preserve historical heritage.

The Route 66 Era and Roadside Architecture

With the arrival of Route 66 in 1926, the city's appearance began to change. Numerous motels, cafes, and service stations sprang up along the route, forming a unique style of "roadside architecture." Here, one can find elements of Streamline Moderne and Googie styles, characterised by futuristic forms, neon signs, and the bold use of glass and steel. Vivid examples of this era are the New Corral Motel and Green Spot Motel. The building that now houses the California Route 66 Museum was formerly the popular Red Rooster Cafe and is a landmark object of that time.

Post-War Boom and Modernity

The establishment of the George Army Airfield in the 1940s led to significant population growth and large-scale housing construction. During this period, Victorville's architectural landscape was enriched by thousands of Ranch-style homes, which became the foundation for the expanding suburbs. This style, with its single-storey layout and attached garages, still defines the look of many of the city's residential areas.

Modern development, which began after the closure of the airbase in the 1990s, is characterised mainly by utilitarian and commercial construction. The transformation of the base into the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) led to the appearance of large warehouses and industrial buildings, while continued population growth drives the construction of modern shopping centres and standard residential complexes.

Notable Figures Associated with Victorville

Despite its relatively short history, the city of Victorville has been the birthplace or an important life stage for many talented and famous people. Here are some of them:

• John W. Henry

  Businessman and investor. A graduate of Victor Valley High School (1967), Henry is one of the most influential figures in the world of sports. He is the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball club and the English football club Liverpool FC. His success in business and sports management has made him a globally renowned figure.

• Patty Jenkins

  Film director and screenwriter. Patty Jenkins was born at George Air Force Base in Victorville. She gained global recognition as the director of the film "Monster" (2003), which won an Oscar for Charlize Theron, and the box office hits "Wonder Woman" (2017) and "Wonder Woman 1984" (2020).

• Dan Henderson

  Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and wrestler. A graduate of the local school, Henderson is a legend in the world of martial arts. He was a champion in several weight classes in organisations such as PRIDE and Strikeforce, and twice represented the USA at the Olympic Games in Greco-Roman wrestling (1992 and 1996).

• LaKeith Stanfield

  Actor and musician. Stanfield spent his childhood and youth in Riverside and Victorville. He became one of the most notable actors of his generation thanks to roles in the films "Get Out", "Judas and the Black Messiah" (Oscar nomination), and the series "Atlanta".

• Ryan Garcia

  Professional boxer. Born in Victorville, Ryan Garcia is one of the brightest and most popular stars of modern boxing. He is a world champion in several weight classes and is known for his incredible hand speed and immense popularity on social media.

• Geoffrey Lewis

  Actor. A graduate of Victor Valley High School (1953), Lewis was a well-known character actor who often appeared in Clint Eastwood films such as "Every Which Way But Loose" and "Any Which Way You Can." He is the father of actress Juliette Lewis.

• Travis Van Winkle

  Actor. Born in Victorville, he is known for his roles in popular television series, including "The Last Ship" and "You", as well as in the film "Transformers".