The Riverside Raincross: A Historic Symbol with Heart and Humor

Origins of the Raincross Symbol

The Raincross symbol has been synonymous with Riverside’s identity for well over a century – in fact, it’s been the city emblem since 1907. But what exactly is a Raincross? Think of it as an early 1900s mash-up (Frank Miller was doing mash-ups before it was cool) of two iconic elements: a mission bell and a Native American rain-cross. Specifically, the design combines a replica of Father Junípero Serra’s mass bell (the kind used at the early California missions) with a double-armed cross that Native Americans (like the Navajo) used in prayer for rain. In other words, it’s part mission heritage, part rain dance – a perfect symbol for a city born in a semi-arid land and nurtured by irrigation and hope.

All Image Rights Reserved to this photo - Jeff at his Flickr 

The Raincross was the brainchild of Frank Augustus Miller, the owner of Riverside’s famed Mission Inn, and his architect friend Arthur B. Benton. Miller was a big dreamer (the kind who’d put bells on everything if you let him) and he wanted to give Riverside a unique civic identity. Legend has it that Miller drew inspiration from a cross design in his own artifact collection (an ancient Anasazi “rain cross” symbol) and from the bell tower at Mission San Gabriel. The result: a wood-and-metal emblem featuring a trapezoidal frame holding a bell, topped by a stylized double-cross (which some say resembles a dragonfly, a Native symbol of water and rain. Miller must have known he struck gold with this design – he even patented the Raincross in 1908. (Yes, our beloved city symbol is literally a patented invention – talk about vintage intellectual property!)

The flag of Riverside, California prominently features the Raincross emblem – a mission bell suspended in a rain-cross frame – showcasing how deeply this symbol is woven into the city’s identity.

A Symbol of Riverside’s Identity

Once the Raincross design was finalized, Frank Miller didn’t keep it all to himself. In a rather generous (or shrewd) act of civic pride, he gave the symbol to the City of Riverside for its use. The Raincross quickly caught on as the unofficial logo of Riverside. By playing on the romance of California’s mission past and Native lore, Miller and other city boosters used the Raincross to brand Riverside as a sort of Mediterranean-meets-Southwest paradise. (They were basically saying: “Come for the orange groves and sunshine, stay for the cool symbol and historic vibes.”)

Riversiders embraced the emblem wholeheartedly. By the 1920s, the Raincross started popping up everywhere – on street signs, lighting fixtures, buildings, you name it. The city eventually made it official in 1968, recognizing the Raincross as the official city insignia. To this day, the city flag, seal, and even utility bills feature the familiar bell-and-cross logo. It’s as much a part of Riverside’s landscape as our palm trees and citrus groves.

Crucially, the Raincross isn’t just a static logo – it’s part of the architectural DNA of Riverside. Stroll downtown and you’ll notice Raincross motifs incorporated into ironwork and streetlamps. In 1923, when Riverside built a grand entry bridge over the Santa Ana River (the Mission Bridge), guess what adorned the Mission-style towers? Raincrosses everywhere! Eight ornate towers with domes and Raincross emblems announced to travelers that they were entering Raincross territory. (It must have been quite a first impression – “Welcome to Riverside, we even put our logo on the bridge!”) That bridge, often called the Rubidoux Bridge, stood until 1938, when a massive flood unfortunately washed it out. But the Raincross-adorned towers were so loved that the remnants were saved and later moved to a local park. Riverside just couldn’t part with its iconic symbols – even floodwaters couldn’t wash away that pride.

Santa Ana River flooding in March of 1938, Courtesy: Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District

Notable Figures Behind the Symbol

Frank Miller - Wikipedia Page

No story of the Raincross would be complete without tipping our hat (or should we say ringing our bell?) to Frank A. Miller. Miller wasn’t born in Riverside, but he grew up here and became one of the city’s greatest champions. As the longtime proprietor of the Mission Inn, he transformed a modest guesthouse into a world-famous hotel visited by presidents and celebrities. Miller had a flair for drama and history – he collected mission-era artifacts, hosted festivals, and basically curated Riverside’s heritage as an experience. The Raincross was arguably Miller’s masterstroke of branding. By blending Father Serra’s missionary zeal with Native American reverence for rain, Miller created a symbol that told a story of cultural convergence. It was like saying Riverside is where Spanish Mission history and Native legends meet – quite poetic for a city logo, right?

Arthur Benton - Wikipedia Page

Let’s not forget Arthur Benton, the Mission Inn’s architect and Miller’s partner-in-design-crime. Benton was a key figure in the Mission Revival architectural style, so it’s fitting he helped design the Mission Inn’s logo too. Together, Miller and Benton ensured the Raincross motif was built into the very walls and lamps of the Inn and the city. In fact, if you visit the Mission Inn today, you’ll spot Raincross symbols embellishing parts of the building – a subtle nod by Miller saying, “Make yourself at home in Riverside; here’s our symbol of hospitality and hope.”

The Raincross in Everyday Riverside

Over the years, the Raincross has transcended its original role as a hotel emblem to become a beloved community icon. It’s not unusual to see Riverside locals sporting Raincross jewelry (pins, pendants, earrings – there’s a whole market for Raincross bling) or even tattoos of the emblem. (If you see someone with a bell-and-cross tattoo, there’s a good chance they’re a proud Riversider…or just really into niche symbols.) The Raincross also lends its name to various local institutions and awards – from the Raincross Square downtown, to the Raincross District marketplace, to civic honors like the Raincross Trophy. It’s our city’s way of saying, this is uniquely ours.

Check out Hailey Bell and her Riverside Inspired Creations! - Instagram - Website

Riverside Keychains and Decals from Hailey Bell Creations (https://www.haileybell.com/)

A historic Raincross Bell on display at the Mission Inn Museum in Riverside. The design – a bell hanging under a double-cross – comes directly from Frank Miller’s 1907 creation, which has been the city's beloved symbol ever since. Residents take great pride in this emblem, as seen by its presence all over town.

Perhaps most endearingly, the Raincross symbolizes Riverside’s spirit of resilience and community. A fun (and slightly harrowing) anecdote: in 2021, a large Raincross bell artifact was stolen from outside the Mission Inn Museum, prompting a city-wide effort to recover it (Riversiders were not going to lose their precious symbol without a fight!). Police detectives and community members rallied, the bell was safely returned, and there was a collective sigh of relief. As one museum staffer put it, the way people came together showed that “our downtown family are the real heart of Riverside”. In other words, the Raincross doesn’t just hang on lampposts and banners – it lives in the hearts of the people.

Detective Ron Knoffloch of RPD stands with the Mission Inn Museum raincross bell after it was secured. As seen in the Raincross Gazette

Continuing the Legacy (With a Personal Touch)

For those of us born and raised in Riverside, the Raincross is more than just an image – it’s part of our personal history. I grew up seeing it on my school notebooks, in city parades, and every time I drove down Mission Inn Avenue at night (those Raincross-shaped streetlights give a warm glow that says “you’re home”). This lifelong affinity for the symbol is one big reason I founded Riverside Bells. Our store’s vision is deeply influenced by the Raincross and what it stands for: heritage, community, and hope for rain in dry times. We incorporate the Raincross motif into many of our products – from decorative bells (naturally!) to art pieces – as a way to share that heritage with others.

Photo courtesy of local Videographer, Ivan Equihua @ RIverside_Sunshine_ Instagram 

On an emotional note, every Raincross item we craft or sell comes with a story. It’s the story of Frank Miller enchanting visitors with a symbol of welcome. It’s the story of a city that grew from citrus groves and sunshine, always praying for a little rain. And it’s my story as a local kid who fell in love with a bell-and-cross design and turned that passion into a business. In a way, you could say we’re ringing in a new chapter of the Raincross legacy. With a friendly nod to our past (and a little twinge of humor), we celebrate Riverside’s iconic emblem every day – reminding locals and visitors alike that when you see the Raincross, you’re in a special place.

Riverside Raincross Address Plaque available here

So next time you spot that familiar symbol hanging from a lamppost or painted on a mural, give it a smile or a wink. That little Raincross has traveled through time – from mission days to modern days – to watch over our city. It’s the proud, quirky, heartwarming logo of Riverside, and it symbolizes home. And if you ever need a keepsake of that feeling, well, you know where to find us (we’ve got a few bells to show you!). Ding-ding! 🛎️

Sources: The origin and meaning of the Raincross are documented by the City of Riverside and local historiansmardonjewelers.comflickr.com. Frank Miller’s role in creating and patenting the symbol in 1908 is detailed in Mission Inn Museum recordsmardonjewelers.com. The widespread use of the Raincross in Riverside architecture and civic life is noted in city archives and local blogsriversideca.govcalisphere.org. The Mission Bridge example and other historical uses come from the Los Angeles Times archives via Calispherecalisphere.org. Contemporary accounts of community pride (like the Raincross bell recovery) are covered in The Raincross Gazetteraincrossgazette.comraincrossgazette.com. All images used are of Riverside’s Raincross symbol in various forms, illustrating its historical and present significance to the city.