California land, water, and law: A history of the Riverside Water Company, 1870 to 1983

California land development had its beginning with discovery by Spain and later colonization by the Spanish and Mexican governments. After the Mexican-American War, California was governed by U.S. laws and became a state in 1850.; The development of Riverside, California, in 1870 as an agricultural colony came from the efforts of John W. North and others. The colony grew high-value crops like grapes, fruits, and nuts using the relatively new technology of irrigation. Riverside became a leading citrus producing center.; Land in Southern California had limited value for agriculture without water for irrigation. Development of water resources involved appropriation of water from the Santa Ana River and the construction of facilities to transport and distribute the water.; Legislative acts and case law addressing water rights were developed from the involvement of the Riverside Water Company and its predecessors.