Long before Hemet became a town in 1893, the San Jacinto Valley was home to the Cahuilla people, who have lived in this region for thousands of years. The valley provided them with acorns, seeds, and game, and their villages were woven into the landscape of the mountains and desert. Today, their descendants are part of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, whose reservation lies just outside Hemet, and whose presence and traditions continue to enrich the valley. For a deeper dive into the history of the Soboba people, click here and scroll down.

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Hemet’s modern history began in the late 1800s, with ranchers, farmers, and settlers establishing a community that grew around citrus groves, agriculture, and the railroad. The city was incorporated in 1910, and soon became known for its cultural landmarks - the Ramona Pageant (California’s longest-running outdoor play, rooted in both romance and the complex history of California’s Native and Spanish past), the Hemet Theatre, the historic Harvard Street downtown, and the train station-turned-museum. Be sure to check out the fantastic collection of online photographs of historic Hemet and the surrounding San Jacinto Valley at Vintage Hemet.

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Today, Hemet is a place where history and humor meet - a valley with deep roots, colorful stories, and the kind of quirks you’ll only find here. From Simpson Park’s hiking trails and sweeping vistas to zebras and bison (and Larry the Dromedary!) grazing at the Park Hill Animal Park along Park Avenue, Hemet is as delightful as it is enduring.

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✨ It’s history, it’s community, it's natural beauty, it’s laughter - it’s Only in Hemet.