Adelanto: History, Agriculture, and Culture

Adelanto brings together an early founding history, a striking transformation in agriculture, and a later aviation history. Key landmarks include the Adelanto Branch Library, the Adelanto Plaza & Event Center, and the El Mirage OHV Area to the west. The following stops provide context on local history, routes, and event venues to help you plan your trip.

Founding and Early Planning

Adelanto was founded in 1915 by E. H. Richardson. Richardson was the inventor of what later became the Hotpoint Electric Iron. He also planned to develop one of Southern California’s first planned communities. To do so, he divided his land into one-acre lots. He hoped to sell these lots to veterans who had developed respiratory illnesses as a result of World War I. He also hoped to establish a respiratory hospital. The lot size and intended buyers illustrate two specific elements of Richardson’s development plan.

Aviation and Agricultural Change

Adelanto’s aviation history has two clear dates: in early 1941, an Army Air Field was established within Adelanto’s sphere of influence. In September 1950, the Army Air Field was named George Air Force Base. This timeline distinguishes the establishment of the airfield from its later naming: these are two separate milestones, not a single event.

Adelanto once had extensive stands of deciduous fruit trees; throughout the state, the city was known for fresh fruit and cider. The orchards thrived until the Great Depression, after which they were replaced by poultry farms. The Depression thus separates the earlier fruit-growing economy from the poultry farming that followed, marking a shift in the area’s agricultural character.

El Mirage and Practical Information

The El Mirage OHV Area lies west of Adelanto, between US Highway 395 and the Los Angeles County boundary. Access is from US Highway 395 near Adelanto, heading west along Chamberlaine Way—formerly Crippen Avenue—to Koala Road. The former street name may help with navigation: Crippen Avenue was the former name of Chamberlaine Way. Check current road and area conditions before setting out.

The Adelanto Branch Library is located at 11497 Bartlett Ave. in Adelanto. Check the branch’s current information before your trip. The Victor Valley Transit Authority lists routes 31, 32, and 33 for Adelanto; the corresponding timetable is dated June 1, 2025. Check current departure times before traveling. This gives you both a specific address and route numbers to help plan your visit.

Event Venues and Other Destinations

The Adelanto Plaza & Event Center has extensive indoor and outdoor spaces and hosts cultural festivals and motorsports celebrations. Individual event dates vary. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the dates in advance.

A park with a splash pad is located at the intersection of Chamberlaine Way and Jonathan Street. Confirm the facility’s current status before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Phelan, Fort Irwin, Blue Jay, Redlands, Chino, Chino Hills, Montclair, Twentynine Palms.

For the broader travel overview: San Bernardino.