Historical Timeline
Pre-1915: Long before it was a city, the land around Adelanto was home to the Serrano people. They lived off the Mojave Desert’s natural resources and followed seasonal cycles along the riverbeds and mountains.
1915: E.H. Richardson, who invented the Hotpoint electric iron, sold his patent and used the money to buy land in the High Desert. His dream was to build a planned community — a place where World War I veterans suffering from lung conditions could live and heal. He laid out one-acre plots with clean air and sunshine in mind.
1917: The new settlement got a post office and the name “Adelanto,” which means “progress” in Spanish — a fitting name for a community built on new beginnings.
1920s–1930s: Adelanto became known for its fruit orchards. Apples, pears, and cider were the pride of the town. But the Great Depression hit hard, and many orchards were torn out and replaced with chicken farms.
1941: The U.S. government built the Victorville Army Air Field nearby, bringing new jobs and growth to the area. Adelanto quickly became part of the surrounding military community.
1950: The airfield was renamed George Air Force Base in honor of General Harold H. George. It remained an important base for decades, shaping the town’s economy and identity.
1970: Adelanto officially incorporated as a city on December 22. At the time, it was the smallest city in San Bernardino County.
1992: The city adopted a charter, giving it more control over its own affairs.
2015: Facing financial struggles, Adelanto made headlines by becoming one of the first Southern California cities to allow large-scale medical marijuana cultivation. It was a bold move to bring in revenue and jobs.
Present Day: Adelanto is still growing and evolving. It’s a mix of military roots, farming history, and modern industry — with people from all walks of life calling it home under the big desert sky.