Before European settlement, the land that is now Moreno Valley was traversed and settled by indigenous groups, most notably the Luiseño, Cahuilla, and Serrano peoples, who utilized the valley's seasonal resources. The area later became part of the extensive Spanish and Mexican land grants of the 19th century.
Modern development began in the late 19th century when Frank E. Brown, a prominent water engineer and developer, formed the Bear Valley Land and Water Company. In 1890, the town of Moreno was established. The name "Moreno" is Spanish for "brown," a direct nod to Frank Brown. The community initially thrived on citrus and fruit farming, but a severe drought in the early 20th century devastated the local agricultural economy, causing a significant population decline.
The area's fortunes changed dramatically during World War I with the establishment of March Field (now March Air Reserve Base) in 1918. The military installation brought infrastructure, jobs, and a steady influx of residents. Following World War II, the communities of Sunnymead and Edgemont began to grow alongside Moreno.
In the 1980s, an explosion in Southern California's housing market drove a population boom in the Inland Empire. To secure local control over planning and resources, residents voted to incorporate the communities of Moreno, Sunnymead, and Edgemont into the single City of Moreno Valley on December 3, 1984. Since incorporation, the city has experienced continuous expansion, evolving into an industrial, logistics, and residential powerhouse in the 21st century.
