History ...Our Early Years
San Dimas was created by the San Jose Land Co. in 1887 when the Santa Fe Railroad laid
its tracks through here, although a few families were already farming in the area. A
Southern California land boom was in full flower with excursion trains bringing
prospective buyers out from the Midwest for $1 per one-way trip. A railroad hotel was
built in each little town from Pasadena to San Bernardino. However, before many lots were
sold or the hotels had many paying guests, the boom collapsed.
San Dimas Hotel was purchased in 1889 by the J.W. Walker family and subsequently lived
in by six generations of their family. It is the only one of these railroad hotels still
standing. Now known as the San Dimas Mansion, it is a restaurant and perhaps one day will
be our first bed and breakfast inn.
However, long before the dream of the railroad, Indians had camped here at least as
early as 1771. In 1774 and 1776, Juan de Anza stopped at what was then known as Mud
Springs, as did Jedediah Strong Smith in 1826. Mud Springs was part of the Rancho San
Jose, the last Spanish land grant. The name was changed to reflect the San Dimas Canyon to
the north when the railroad came through.
Wheat and other mid west crops were planted first, then orange and lemon groves covered
the valley. At one time, four citrus packing houses and a marmalade factory were located
in San Dimas. The Sunkist name originated here, first spelled "Sunkissed."
The early residents established churches and schools at once, built substantial
business buildings on Bonita Avenue and a large feed store which is still in business. The
lumber yard, which only recently closed, had been in business for almost a century. Many
lovely homes were lost when the groves were cleared, but interesting homes and charming
cottages dating from the early years of this century still exist.
In 1950, Arrow Highway was a two-lane road. Orange trees brushed the cars as they
passed, and the air was heavy with perfume in the spring.
The completion of the San Bernardino Freeway in 1954, coupled with a disease affecting
the citrus trees, spelled the end of the quiet agricultural life in San Dimas. Groves were
cleared for housing tracts and strawberry fields. The quiet little town which had 3,500
residents in 1950 grew to 7,500 in 1960 when San Dimas was incorporated. Now at 33,000, we
are still a caring, cohesive community, reaching from Puddingstone Lake in Bonelli Park on
the south to the Foothills on the north.
SAN DIMAS, NAME FOR THE CANYON
Outlaws operating from inaccessible haunts in a canyon, commonly referred to as
Horsethief Canyon, gave Vaqueros trouble by making raids on the Spanish Don's livestock.
Accepted as authentic is the story that one day, in an exasperated mood, the Don made some
pertinent remarks appropriate to his opinion of the thieves. Prayerfully, it is said
traditionally, he included the name of St. Dismas, the crucified, repentant thief on the
Cross.
Dismas may never have stolen a horse but his plea for forgiveness could be something
for horse thieves to consider - if they ever had any thoughtful moments.
Following the Don's impulsive remarks, associating the name of St. Dismas with the
thieves in Horsethief Canyon, a new name was heard in ranch life on the San Jose - a
Spanish word - "San Dimas." By common usage it became San Dimas Canyon, and from
that incident came the name of the town. (excerpt from "Profiles of San Dimas"
by J. Howard Hoover).
San Dimas and Its Outlaw Name
by Lee Elliot
Reprinted with permission from
Fedco Reporter, April 1994
Mystery surrounds the naming of the City of San Dimas. Locals and visitors alike have
pondered the unknown saint named San Dimas. The answer lies in the relationship between
Don Ygnacio Palomares and the outlaws operating out of an area known as Horsethief Canyon.
In 1837, Don Palomares received a 15,000 acre land grant from Governor Alvarado.
Palomares and his partner, Richard Vejar, set boundaries of the huge rancho by marking one
willow tree with an "X." Two stakes attached by a 250-foot-rope were then
transferred end to end over the land until the new settlers were satisfied that all 15,000
acres had been staked off. Palomares named his new land holdings Rancho San Jose.
At first, life was peaceful for Palomares in the areas now known as Pomona, Claremont,
La Verne, Spadra, Glendora and San Dimas. Vineyards and fields of corn and beans were
planted; fruit trees were brought in and yielded oranges, lemons, plums and figs. Water
was even piped in through hand-crafted wooden pipes from San Antonio Canyon. But Don
Palomares' pride was his huge herds of cattle and horses. Originally, Palomares had
petitioned the governor for a land grant based on his vast cattle holdings, and his rancho
relied on the herds as a source of income from hides and tallow.
At the northern end of Rancho San Jose, in present-day San Dimas, there were wild
canyons filled with a confusing array of twists and turns. In spite of the rugged
landscape, the canyons offered an ideal refuge for Palomares' cattle and horses during bad
weather. In order to contain the stock, Palomares' men constructed primitive corrals.
Since the corrals were located so far from the Palomares' hacienda, they offered the
perfect opportunity for horse thieves and cattle rustlers. Regularly, outlaws began to
descend on the livestock, gathering massive numbers of cattle and horses with each raid.
When Palomares' vaqueros pursued the thieves, they fled to inaccessible hideouts, deep
within the canyon walls. Frustrated by his livestock losses, Don Palomares began to call
the area "San Dismas" in reference to the thief who was crucified with Christ
and repented on the cross. Because he was the patron saint of repentant thieves, Palomares
hoped the outlaws would turn to Saint Dismas to repent for their crimes. A1though the
canyon itself became known as Horsethief Canyon, in reference to the persistent outlaws,
residents began to call the area San Dismas. Soon, the new name San Dismas was adopted by
settlers passing through the region. Over time, the first "s" was dropped in
error, and San Dismas eventually became San Dimas.
San Dimas Chamber of Commerce
The San Dimas Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer organization of business, industrial and
professional people, promotes the business community in addition to improving the civic
and economic well-being of San Dimas. Working together, members accomplish what no one
person could do alone. Assisting members at Chamber headquarters in the historic Martin
House, a full-time professional staff coordinates activities and operates information and
welcoming services which respond to thousands of inquires each year.
Regular Chamber events include Business Mixers, an annual Golf Tournament, the City
Birthday Barbecue, a Business Expo, Little Miss San Dimas Pageant, Citizen of the Year
Award, St. Patrick's Day Banquet, and the biggest event of them all-Western Days.
