The year 1945 saw the end of war in Europe and in the Pacific. After four years of war, people across the United States were breathless with anticipation about what the following year would bring. In anticipation of this swing from war time to peace, the Riverside County Chamber of Commerce asked ci vic leaders of each city and town in the county to submit information on the priorities of their area. On Jan. 1, 1946, the Riverside Daily Press reported on that survey. The Daily Press reported the need for more housing was the No. 1 problem in all areas. It was estimated that in the city of Riverside alone, 3,500 houses were needed just to house people already living in in the city under what the newspaper called “some makeshift arrangement.” More housing would be needed, above and beyond that, to house people who wanted to move to Riverside. Many cities expressed a need for sewers or additional sewer capacity. San Jacinto estimated it needed $80,000 to expand its sewer system. Hemet also needed an expansion of its sewer system and a new sewer plant. Corona needed $244,000 to enlarge its sewer system and disposal plant, plus the improvement of its street drainage. Indio was considering a $250,000 bond issue for a sewage disposal plant. Banning also needed a sewer system expansion and storm drains. The unincorporated towns of West Riverside and Home Gardens didn’t have any modern sewage disposal and needed sewer systems and disposal plants. The increase in population in Riverside County because of the war was already putting pressure on schools, and the post war baby boom hadn’t even begun yet. It was reported that San Jacinto had tentative plans for a $450,000 expansion of its schools, with half of that to begin construction in 1946. Corona’s junior high and elementary schools were running double sessions to accommodate children in that city. A $750,000 school bond was soon going to be placed on the ballot in Corona to add an additional junior high school and to expand the existing elementary schools. These are just two examples of the needs of school districts throughout the county. Expansion of highways was another issue brought out by the survey. A four-lane highway from West Riverside to Mira Loma in today’s city of Jurupa Valley was the first highway project to receive funding in Riverside County — the precursor to today’s 60 Freeway. The next to be built was a road from Hemet to Murrieta, which would help facilitate travel to San Diego. This became Highway 79. The city of Blythe wanted a direct road from there to Imperial Valley to help ship produce. That road was eventually built as Highway 78. Related Articles What’s the story behind Riverside’s Wood Streets neighborhood? 1922 saw a surge of Christmastime weddings in Riverside How Weirick Road off 15 Freeway in Riverside County got its name Western Riverside County schools were very different in 1886 Railroad construction 150 years ago was big news for the San Gorgonio Pass One plan already in the works was a new regional airport, to be located between Riverside and San Bernardino to serve both areas. This of course became Ontario Airport, and today’s Ontario International Airport. Riverside County was also planning to create a masterplan for highways, as well as asking for designations of some areas as state parks. The pivot back to peacetime was something civic leaders in the region had been anticipating and planning for even before the end of World War II. Too many plans were already in the works by the beginning of 1946 for that to be a coincidence. If you have an idea for a future Back in the Day column about a local historic person, place or event, contact Steve Lech and Kim Jarrell Johnson at [email protected]. ...read more read less