Banning, California

Banning is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 23,562 at the 2000 census. It is situated in the San Gorgonio Pass, also known as Banning Pass. It is named for its founder, Phineas Banning, stagecoach line owner and the "Father of the Port of Los Angeles."

Banning's western neighbor Beaumont is a different city, but the two share geographic and regional features, both are rapidly-growing in size and population since the 1980s.
Nearby Banning Municipal Airport, (FAA designator: BNG), has a 5,200 foot runway. San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is a General Acute Care Hospital in Banning with Basic Emergency Services as of 2005.

The Banning Eagles are a minor league football team of the California Football Association play half their home games in Banning High School and another half at the Lake Elsinore Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

History

The area has traditionally been inhabited by the Cahuilla people. In 1824 it became part of the Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, and then the Rancho San Gorgonio. The first Anglo to settle in the area was Dr. Isaac Smith in 1853. In 1863 a smallpox epidemic further decimated the Cahuilla. The government created Indian reservations for the Cahuilla in 1877.

The first stagecoach line came through in 1862, and the railroad followed in 1876. US Highway 99 was built in 1923, followed by US60-70 in 1936, and subsequently Interstate 10. The Southern Pacific (later purchased by Union Pacific) railroad was a major contributor to Banning's growth along with neighboring Beaumont) since it was laid down in 1881.

Banning is located immediately on the border of the Morongo Indian Reservation. The region around Banning was originally Maringayam [Serrano], and the Cahuilla expanded into the pass only in historic times. Relations between the reservation residents have been stressed by such actions as the city of Banning claiming native water rights. See Dorothy Ramon's book called "Always Believe" for a Maringayam's views on Banning and reservation life. This remarkable text was published in '2000. [Dr. John Anderson, Sandpoint, Idaho].

Murals of Banning

Murals of Banning: Once a booming stagecoach town of the Old West, Banning is still called 'Stagecoach Town, USA. Discover a bit of the city's history through the Murals of Banning, which you will find throughout the city. These beautiful murals are hand painted by some of the country's most inspirational mural painters.