This web site from The Estudillo Mansion Restoration Committee provides a history of the 1885 Francisco Estudillo Mansion and many beautiful photographs (including the one shown above).

The man made lake southwest of Hemet is the largest freshwater reservoir in Southern California. Lake Hemet Water Company began building the dam that created Lake Hemet in 1891 and Lake Hemet is maintained as a clean and safe water reservoir and recreational facility.

The Hemet Museum presents a panorama of local history in the freight house of Hemet's Historic Santa Fe Depot. The freight house portion of the depot was built in 1898. Their web site includes historic photographs (Photo Gallery), the answers to many frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.) such as: "How did Hemet get its name?", "How long has the San Jacinto Valley been inhabited?", "Who named the valley?", and more.

The area in which Hemet is located was first inhabited by members of the Cahuilla Indian tribe. Then, in the early 1800's, it became a cattle ranch for Mission San Luis Rey and was called Rancho San Jacinto. When the missions were broken up by the Mexican government, the land was awarded to Jose Antonio Estudillo in 1842. Learn more about the history of Hemet from The City of Hemet Web Site. Enjoy "The City of Hemet Photo Gallery," which includes historic post cards of Hemet from 1900 forward, landscapes of Hemet, and more. Formal incorporation of Hemet was recorded with the County of Riverside on January 20, 1910.

This state-of-the-art museum complex, located in Hemet, is home to a fascinating array of history and Ice-Age beasts that were unearthed right here at Diamond Valley Lake. Diamond Valley Lake is a lifeline for Southern California in times of drought. Other amenities include a trail system that will allow visitors to hike and ride through the hill surrounding the reservoir, a positive recreational environment with a swimming pool, soccer and other fields and more, and more than 13,500 acres of open space called the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve.