TL;DR
Perris, CA has a lot more history than many people know. It has railroad roots, Lake Perris, skydiving, a train museum, a fairground, racing, and even a National Archives site. It is a small city with a big story.
1. Perris Was Named After a Railroad Engineer
Perris is named after Fred T. Perris. He was the chief engineer for the California Southern Railroad.
The railroad helped shape the early town. In the 1880s, the rail line connected the area to a bigger route between Barstow and San Diego. The Perris station opened in April 1886.
2. Perris Became a City in 1911
Perris was not always an official city.
The community voted to become a city in 1911. Perris officially incorporated on May 26, 1911.
At that time, the city was still very small. The City of Perris says the best guess for the population at incorporation was about 300 people.
3. Lake Perris Is a Major Outdoor Spot
Lake Perris is one of the best-known places near the city.
The Lake Perris State Recreation Area covers about 8,200 acres. People go there for hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, camping, boating, horseback riding, and picnics.
It is also home to the Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum.
4. Lake Perris Is Part of the State Water Project
Lake Perris is not just a lake for fun.
It is part of California's State Water Project. The Department of Water Resources calls Lake Perris one of the most popular recreation lakes along the State Water Project.
That means the lake is tied to both water storage and outdoor recreation.
5. Perris Has a Famous Railway Museum
Perris is home to the Southern California Railway Museum.
The museum is located at 2201 South A Street in Perris. It has trains, trolleys, rail cars, and other pieces of Southern California rail history.
Visitors can walk the museum grounds and ride trains or trolleys on certain days.
6. Perris Is Known for Skydiving
Perris is a major spot for skydiving.
The City of Perris lists Skydive Perris as one of the premier skydiving centers in the world. People come to Perris for both outdoor skydiving and indoor skydiving.
That makes Perris a place where people go for big adventure, not just local history.
7. Perris Has a National Archives Site
Perris is home to the National Archives at Riverside.
Even though it is called "Riverside," the address is in Perris. The site holds federal records for Arizona, Southern California, and Clark County, Nevada.
The research room is open by appointment.
8. Perris Has Metrolink Service
Perris is connected to Metrolink through the 91/Perris Valley Line.
The Riverside County Transportation Commission says service began in June 2016. It was a 24-mile extension made to help reduce traffic and give southwest Riverside County more transit options.
9. Perris Has a Dirt Racing Track
Perris Auto Speedway is another local landmark.
The speedway hosts different types of race cars, including sprint cars and factory stocks. It is located at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds.
10. Perris Has Grown a Lot
Perris started as a small farming and railroad town.
Today, it is much bigger. The U.S. Census Bureau lists the 2020 population of Perris at 78,700 people.
That is a big change from the early city days.
Living in Perris Means Old and New Are Side by Side
Perris has a mix of old railroad history, outdoor fun, and fast growth. You can visit a train museum, go to Lake Perris, watch racing, or take Metrolink.
And like many growing Riverside County cities, homes and businesses here still need the basics to work well. If you need a plumber in Perris, Above All Maintenance & Repair can help with local plumbing service.