April 23 - April 29, 2025 🍇📅

Vol. 1, Issue 21: The Mystery of John Rains

The John Rains House: A Window into Rancho Cucamonga’s Past

Tucked beneath the shade of pepper trees in modern-day Rancho Cucamonga stands a weathered yet elegant adobe structure—the John Rains House. Built in 1860, this historic home is more than just an old building; it’s a time capsule that tells the story of California’s Rancho era, early winemaking, political ambition, and one mystery that still lingers today. 

A Man with a Vision: Who Was John Rains?

John Rains was a bold and ambitious figure who came to California during the Gold Rush. After marrying Maria Merced Williams, daughter of a prominent Californio family, he acquired a portion of Rancho Cucamonga, one of the largest Mexican land grants in the area.

Rains wasn’t just a rancher—he was a businessman and entrepreneur. He built the first commercial winery in California in Rancho Cucamonga, capitalizing on the region’s ideal soil and climate. His innovative approach to irrigation and agriculture helped turn the area into a major center for wine production in the 19th century.

The House Itself: Adobe Elegance on the Frontier

Constructed in 1860, the John Rains House was made from baked adobe bricks and wood transported from the San Bernardino Mountains. At the time, it was one of the most luxurious homes in the region—a true mansion by frontier standards.

Inside, the home features:

• Thick adobe walls that naturally regulate temperature
  

• High ceilings with exposed beams
  

• Wide verandas for shade and breeze
  

• Period furnishings that reflect both Californio and Anglo-American tastes of the time
  

It wasn’t just a family home but a social hub for travelers, businesspeople, and politicians passing through the region.

A Dark Turn: The Murder of John Rains

In 1862, John Rains was mysteriously murdered, his body found riddled with gunshots near San Dimas Canyon. His killers were never identified. Speculation swirled about land disputes, political enemies, or even betrayal by business partners. His death cast a shadow over the household, and the property soon declined.

His widow, Maria Merced, struggled to maintain ownership of the rancho and eventually lost it due to mounting debts and legal battles. Her story reflects the larger fate of many Californio families who were displaced in the years following U.S. statehood.

A Landmark Restored

After decades of change, including use as a ranch, a citrus grove hub, and even a boarding house, the John Rains House was restored and preserved as a historical site. Today, it’s managed by San Bernardino County Museums and is open to the public for tours, school field trips, and special events.

Visitors can:

• Walk through original rooms filled with 1800s furnishings
  

• Explore exhibits on early California agriculture and ranching
  

• Learn about adobe construction and restoration techniques
  

• Hear the haunting tale of Rains’s mysterious death
  

Why It Matters

The John Rains House is more than just an architectural relic—it represents a pivotal era in California’s transition from Mexican rule to American statehood, from open ranchlands to organized towns. It’s a place where history breathes, where visitors can physically step into the complex, multicultural origins of the Inland Empire.

Plan Your Visit:

📍 8810 Hemlock Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
🕘 Tues-Sat 10am - 3pm:  Hours vary by season—check the San Bernardino County Museum website for updates
🎟️ Tours available, with special events during holidays and heritage months

Heard it through the grapevine!

April 23 - April 29, 2025 Events

April 23

🧠 Trivia Night | 🕒 7:00 pm–9:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Test your brainpower and bring your crew for a fun-filled evening of trivia and friendly competition.

April 24

🎀 Ribbon Cutting: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming | 🕒 4:00 pm–5:00 pm | 📍 7233 Haven Ave, Suite D, Rancho Cucamonga

Celebrate the grand opening with the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce! Come for the ribbon, stay for the treats—for you and your furry friends.

🛡️ BERT Training: Unit 5 – Terrorism, Crime & Cybersecurity Safety | 🕒 9:00 am–12:00 pm | 📍 All-Risk Training Center, 11285 Jersey Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga

Learn how to protect your business from modern threats including terrorism, crime, and cyberattacks. 

🍷 Business Happy Hour at Wine Now | 🕒 5:30 pm–8:30 pm | 📍 8419 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Bring your business cards and network over premium wine. Enter a raffle for Wine Now merch and other prizes. Must be 21+.

April 25

🌱 Volunteer Day at The Root 66 Garden | 🕒 9:00 am–12:00 pm | 📍 The Root 66 Garden, Rancho Cucamonga

Join The Reign Hockey Team and SoCalGas for a morning of community gardening. Open to all—corporate groups welcome!

💨 Active Nights: Breath | 🕒 5:00 pm–9:00 pm | 📍 Central Park, 11200 Base Line Rd, Rancho Cucamonga

Hosted by Active Inland Empire, this outdoor breathwork experience supports wellness with guided exercises in a safe and inclusive environment.

🎶 Live Music: Dr. Russ | 🕒 7:00 pm–9:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Kick off the weekend with smooth tunes and good vibes from Dr. Russ.

April 26

🌼 Volunteer Day at The Root 66 Garden | 🕒 9:00 am–12:00 pm | 📍 The Root 66 Garden, Rancho Cucamonga

Lend a hand, plant something beautiful, and help grow this community space. Open to everyone!

🛍️ Vintage X Market | 🕒 12:00 pm–8:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Shop local vendors, discover vintage gems, and enjoy a chill afternoon of curated finds.

🎧 EDM Night w/ Sonik the Deejay | 🕒 7:00 pm–10:00 pm | 📍 Haven City Market, 8443 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Turn up the energy with Sonik the Deejay spinning all night. Dance, vibe, repeat.

🎭 Pilipino American Culture Night: “Itinadhana ni Bathala” | 🕒 6:00 pm | 📍 Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr, Rancho Cucamonga

Celebrate 35 years of CPP Barkada’s student-run production honoring Filipino heritage through music, dance, and storytelling. 

April 27

🛍️ Hop into Spring: Sunday Market at Mayweather | 🕒 11:30 am–4:00 pm | 📍 8401 Haven Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Eat, drink, shop, and enjoy family-friendly fun with live DJ music, free tote bags for early birds, and a kids’ egg hunt at 1:00 pm. Free entry!

💍 Love In Bloom: Wedding Venue Showcase | 🕒 6:00 pm–8:30 pm | 📍 Christmas House Inn & Gardens, 9240 Archibald Ave, Rancho Cucamonga

Meet over a dozen wedding vendors, sip champagne, win giveaways, and explore the beautiful Christmas House venue. 🎟️ Free on Eventbrite

Business Spotlights

🥗 My Healthy Penguin: Meal prep made easy. My Healthy Penguin offers fresh, ready-to-eat meals designed to keep up with your lifestyle. Based in the Inland Empire, this local favorite rotates its menu weekly with balanced options like grilled chicken bowls, turkey meatloaf, and protein-packed desserts. Whether you're training hard or just want to skip cooking, they’ve got your back with health-focused convenience delivered right to you.

🍊 Nékter Juice Bar: Rancho Cucamonga: Nékter serves up clean, nutrient-rich juices, smoothies, and açaí bowls that taste as good as they look. Whether you’re starting your morning with a Greenie or cooling off with a Tropical Cooler, their menu is packed with fresh ingredients and superfood blends. 

🍦 Bruster’s Ice Cream: When the craving hits, Bruster’s delivers with small-batch ice cream made fresh daily. With dozens of rotating flavors—plus sundaes, banana splits, and waffle cones—it’s a sweet stop for families, date nights, or solo treat-yourself moments.

Feel free to check us out on Instagram too!