History of Perris Hill Park
Introduction
The History of Perris Hill Park is long and rich. Perris Hill Park has been mentioned in thousands of publications over the past 90 or so years. Events at Perris Hill have been both covered and advertised extensively by the San Bernardino Sun Newspaper multiple times a week during that time as well as a number of other publications.
The information in this History of Perris Hill Park Section is provided as a public service and is intended to educate the Park’s current patrons and future users. It is our hope that understanding the History of the Park as a major civic asset will lead to a recognition of its true unrealized potential as a badly needed premier recreational resource.
Over its history Perris Hill and the City of San Bernardino have hosted a number of Major League and Minor League baseball teams, was a national hotbed of tennis that gave birth to professional tennis. A number of baseball Hall of Famers and tennis Hall of Famers played there. The Roosevelt Bowl continuously hosted events ranging from high school graduations to concerts to Junior University theater productions to Easter Sunrise services. The Perris Hill plunge now the Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center has always been the place to be on a hot summer day. For many years a Kiddeland with children’s rides was located in the Park. A major underground water reservoir is hidden inside Perris Hill. May Coddington branch library was located inside the Park, now closed. The City of San Bernardino Police Department Shooting Range is located at the Northeast corner of the Park. For many years a City Nursery was located on the West side of Valencia Ave. in the Park.
The information in this section highlights some of the parks history but is by no means comprehensive. The information has been compiled from credible sources and attributed and linked to those sources as a tribute to their extensive work and so readers can do further research.
For more comprehensive and up to date information and photos see our sister website at: HistoryOfPerrisHillPark.com
All newspaper articles courtesy of the Sun and the California Digital Newspaper Collection at UCR. Please click on the date indicated to see the full newspaper article.
1911 photo of leveling of the top of Perris Hill for a reservoir. Photo Credit: Used with permission of Nick Cataldo, The Sun newspaper.
Perris Hill Park one of San Bernardino’s gems
The following are excerpts from an article titled Perris Hill Park one of San Bernardino's gems written by local historian Nick Cataldo and published in The Sun 8/25/2014, updated 7/24/2017. You can read the full article here.
“The prelude for this local gem goes back more than a century when a future site of a reservoir in San Bernardino – at the crest of a hill just south of Highland Avenue – was christened “Perris Hill” as a compliment to Fred T. Perris. Perris was a member of the city’s Board of Water Commissioners who deeded to the city a site near the hill for a pumping plant.”
“On Dec. 9, 1910, The San Bernardino Sun reported on this tribute to Perris while also hinting at the potential for this location to evolve into an attractive tourist destination.
The scenic drive which will encircle the hill will be known as Perris Drive and it will have no equal for scenic wonders in all California Southland.”
“San Bernardino has the possibility of a park on and about Perris Hill unequaled in its sightlines, from the top and slopes of which would be afforded an unrivaled view of the valley and mountains, a place of beauty that would make the city famous and sought by visitors from far and near. . .”
“By the mid 1930s, “Perris Hill Park” had become a favorite playground for families in San Bernardino. Within its boundaries, a plunge was nearing completion and a newly constructed ball park was not only hosting local baseball games but within a couple years would serve as the spring training camp for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League.”
“Then on Feb. 4, 1935, the San Bernardino Sun proudly announced the grand jewel of Perris Hill Park."
“San Bernardino took a long stride forward in civic achievement yesterday afternoon when the outdoor bowl at Perris Hill Park was dedicated in honor of the man whose expansive work relief program made its construction possible – Franklin D. Roosevelt.”
Photo Credit: Works Progress Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, Neg.20198-C. History Notes Courtesy of: The Living New Deal
Perris Hill Park (photo circa 1936)
Perris Hill Park and the San Bernardino area was a hotbed of tennis from the 1930's through the 1980's. Jack Kramer won his first tournament here and Perry Jones graduated from San Bernardino High School. Both were instrumental in creating professional tennis as we know it today. For more information, see the excellent article by Harvey Kahn in the Inland Empire Community News, titled San Bernardino was among nation's "highest tennis courts" when Kramer, Jones thrived - January 17, 2017.
About the Photograph:
- Roosevelt Bowl in foreground
- Original 5 tennis courts in upper right background.
- The largest, separately fenced, Eastern
most court was called an “exhibition court.”
- The original Perris Hill Park Plunge (now the Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center) in upper left
background
NOTE:
- Circa the 1970’s one tennis court was added at the West end and one at the East end of the
tennis complex.
- In December of 2020 the two Western most tennis courts were converted to
eight pickleball courts. The Perris Hill Park Tennis and Pickleball Center now is comprised of
8 pickleball courts and 5 tennis courts
- Lights above tennis courts strung between poles
- Small size of trees North of tennis courts along the South side of Highland Ave. and throughout
the Park.
- Open sided shade structure with seating and roof in the center of first 4 courts was called a
“Summer house with benches” in a June 7, 1936 SB Sun article.
- U shaped car drive/drop off on North side of the Rosevelt Bowl. (drive no longer exists)
- Largely undeveloped open land area North of Highland Ave.
- Only one car visible on Highland Ave. From shadows, photo taken early afternoon.
Did you know...
There's a 10,000,000 gallon active reservoir buried under the flat top of Perris Hill. Photo on right is a rarely seen view of the interior of Perris Hill Reservoir after being drained.
Photo courtesy of SAWPA. Read the whole story and see more photos of the interior.
Perris Hill Park Facilities Present & Past
Present Facilities
- Perris Hill Park is the largest park in the City of San Bernardino at 64.4 acres.
-Originally The Plunge now called Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center. The outdoor pool first opened Summer of 1936. For more information see San Bernardino Sun article: 6/12/1936
- Originally Perris Hill Park baseball field now called Fiscalini Field (with concession stand, press box, club house, and restrooms) (East Park). For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 3/5/42, 2/29/48, 12/21/82
- 1800 seat Roosevelt Bowl with stage area and dressing rooms (East Park). For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 11/20/34, 12/28/34, 7/30/38, 6/20/94
- Perris Hill Park Tennis and Pickleball Center with 5 tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts (East Park). For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 11/25/34, 9/12/35, 6/7/36, 6/4/39, 9/2/39, 6/28/40, 6/15/65, 2/13/77, 3/21/80-3/21/80
- Perris Hill Senior Center (West Park).
- San Bernardino Family YMCA with indoor pool, weight and exercise rooms (West Park).
- 2 modern children's playground areas (one East Park, one West Park).
- 10,000,000 gallon, completely underground water reservoir toward east end of Perris Hill.
- Hiking / Running Trail around Perris Hill (East Park).
- San Bernardino City Police Department Pistol Range toward southeast corner of park, now only available to law enforcement. At one time also open to the public. For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 11/28/1937, 5/26/1950, 2/8/1957, 8/19/1996
- Softball backstop (West Park).
- Large picnic area with historic plaques on picnic tables (East Park). Smaller picnic area (West Park).
Past Facilities & Events
- Large fenced horseshoe pitching area with existing structure. This facility still exists but is unused, could be restored to active status with minimum costs. Located in the center of West Park. For more info, see Sun articles: 8/23/1972, 3/12/1974, 11/6/1975, 9/20/1978
- Ceramic Studio, a ceramics facility of the City Parks and Recreation Department (East Park). For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 4/20/75, 6/21/77
- Kiddieland West at 580 E. Highland Ave., miniature train, boats, airplanes, auto rides, etc. $.09 a ride, 3 rides for $.25 (approx. 1948 - 1952). For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 6/11/48, 7/3/48, 4/29/50
- Kiddieland East rides and carnival fun for little children including a merry-go-round, roller coaster, and midget cars. Tickets $.15. Between the ballpark and Roosevelt Bowl. Leased from the City 1958 to 1978. Kent C. Danner, operator. For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 8/5/73, 3/23/78
- City of San Bernardino Nursery (West of Valencia Ave). For more info, see Sun articles: 4/5/1978, 10/12/1952
- Open air paved square dance area originally the slab later the dance square, located in the center of West Park. For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 7/31/50, 7/17/51, 8/23/52, 6/22/56
- Agape House Youth Rehabilitation Center and Clinic at 607 E. Highland Ave. Opened circa July 1972. Closing date unknown. Buildings has since been demolished (West of Valencia Ave). For more information see San Bernardino Sun articles: 6/25/71, 7/28/72
- May Coddington Library, now closed but building still exists (East Park). The Library was Dedicated 1/21/1962, and closed
February 1992. For more info, see Sun articles: 1/21/1962, 5/12/1995
- Camellia Garden (West side of Valencia Ave). For more information see Sun articles: 6-3-1962 , 3-20-63, 3-31-1963
- Arts & Crafts Displays & Sales. For more info see Sun articles: 8/5/1985, 8/5/1987
- Covered Wagon Days. For more info see Sun articles: 11/17/1938, 11/18/1938, 10/11/1947, 10/6/1966
- First SB Love in held at Perris Hill Park, see Sun article on 7/20/1967
East Park & West Park Defined:
Perris Hill Park is divided roughly in half by East Twin Creek. The Creek is in a fixed concrete channel. East and West Park are connected by a pedestrian bridge located immediately north of the San Bernardino Family YMCA.
Did you Know?
- Rodeos were held in the ballpark at Perris Hill Park, see Sun article 11/3/1944
- Circuses were held in the ballpark at Perris Hill Park, see Sun articles 8/11/1953, 9/17/1955
- Mark Harmon filmed a portion of the movie Stealing Home at the Perris Hill Ballpark, see Sun article 2/17/1988
Historical Photos of Perris Hill Park
View of Stadium with WPA Sign
Note:
- Large expanse of open undeveloped area north of Highland Ave
- Low level, uncovered bleachers
- Large steel lights standard with X bracing
- What appears to be an unpaved parking area to the west of the stadium
- Photo circa 1934-1935
National Archives and Records Administration Perris Hill Park Stadium with WPA sign, with permission of The Living New Deal
Stadium Practice game between Pirates and Cubs
Note:
- The period attire of the fans
- Lack of foul ball protection for fans along first base and third base lines
- The Perris Hill Park Stadium served as the spring training camp for two major league baseball teams: The Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Browns. They played a number of spring practice games at the stadium with other major league teams.
Practice game between Pirates and Cubs. - National Archives and Records Administration, Neg 8564-C, with permission of The Living New Deal
Night Baseball at Perris Hill Park
Note:
- Large area behind home plate to backstop
- Screen at top of bleachers to protect cars in parking area from foul balls
- What appears to be an absence of protective screening in front of dugouts
National Archives and Records Administration Stadium with Lights, Neg 8565-C, with permission of The Living New Deal
The Roosevelt Bowl at Perris Hill Park
Note:
- Photo looks to be circa 1935
- Period attire of spectators
National Archives and Records Administration, Neg 8561-C, with permission of The Living New Deal
A Hillside View of the Plunge
Note:
- Empty land on the north side of Highland Ave
- Bleacher seating area on the south side of the Plunge with what appears to be lights strung overhead
- Stairway to upper level sunning deck
- Grand pedestrian bridge/stairway spanning drainage channel to bleacher area
- Small pedestrian bridge/stairway spanning drainage channel at east end of Plunge
- Dirt road to south of Plunge
National Archives and Records Administration, Neg 8567-C, with permission of The Living New Deal
Perris Hill Park Plunge with Swimmers
Note:
- Upper deck sunning area with stairway access
- Bleacher area to south of pool has been expanded and canopy covers added
- Kids pool at east end separated from main Plunge
- Size of trees compared to previous photo. This photo is several years later.
National Archives and Records Administration, Neg 8556-C, with permission of The Living New Deal
The Plunge with Swimmers & Sunbathers
Note:
- Originally the Perris Hill Plunge, now the Jerry Lewis Swim Center.
- Over the years the Center has undergone several major changes.
- A new major change (2023), includes the addition of heating equipment, allowing for year round use.
National Archives and Records Administration, Neg 8563-C, with permission of The Living New Deal
Pistol Range
Note:
- The San Bernardino City Police Department Pistol Range.
- In the past the Range was open for public use, now for police use only.
- Located behind (south) of the ball park.
Picture courtesy of Robert Porter.