Linda Rosa, California, Riverside County is a ghost town that captures the imagination with its rich history and mysterious allure. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Riverside County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 33.5331° N, 117.1694° W
Elevation: Approximately 1,175 feet (358 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: 1887
Disestablished: Not available
Comments: Linda Rosa was initially established during the land boom of the late 19th century. The promise of agricultural prosperity and the expansion of the Southern California Railroad drove its development. However, the town’s growth was short-lived due to economic downturns and the collapse of the land boom, which led to its decline.
Remains: Very few of the original structures remain today. Some foundations and scattered remnants can still be found, giving a glimpse into the town’s past. The area is mostly overgrown and has been largely reclaimed by nature.
Linda Rosa was one of the many land development schemes of the 1880s in Southern California. In 1887, the Santa Rosa Land & Improvement Company, belonging to the Englishman, Parker Dear, owner of the Rancho Santa Rosa subdivided the 400-acre Linda Rosa Tract southwest of Murrieta along the California Southern Railroad line.
The company spent approximately $5,000 building a depot, but the railroad did not schedule a stop at Linda Rosa. In 1888, the land company built the Linda Rosa Hotel at an estimated cost of $15,000. The large hotel provided a place for visitors and land buyers to stay.
Current Status: Linda Rosa is a ghost town, with no active community or ongoing development. The land is mostly used for private residential properties and agricultural purposes.
Remarks: Linda Rosa poignantly reminds us of the volatile nature of speculative real estate ventures in California’s history. Its brief existence and subsequent abandonment highlight the challenges faced by many such towns during that era.
The town’s legacy continues to intrigue historians and ghost town enthusiasts alike. Linda Rosa Fruit Canning and Preserving Company was formed on June 30, 1888, to grow and can fruit and vegetables.
Linda Rosa had its own post office, Linda Rose, from November 20, 1888, to March 20, 1890. When the land boom went bust, the town lots failed to sell and the office was closed and mail service was moved to Temecula Station.
The hotel was torn down and used to build a house. With the failure of his development, Parker Dear went bankrupt and lost the rancho to his bank in 1893.
