The former Mira Lorna Engineer Sub-Depot is located at the intersection of Etiwanda Avenue and Philadelphia Street in Mira Lorna, Riverside County, California, approximately 10 miles northwest of the city of Riverside, California. Between 1943 and 1944, the United States acquired 14.75 acres by leasehold condemnation, U.S. vs Rancho Mira Loma, civil case no. 2978 and three tracts, no area, license dated December 6, 1944, for three water pipeline rights-of-way from the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad Company and Union Pacific Railroad Company.
The Mira Lorna Engineer Sub-Depot was established and operated as a sub-installation of the San Bernardino Engineer Depot. It was used by the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army for the storage of certain specialized equipment and engineer supplies. Existing buildings on the property include one frame and concrete building, one brick and concrete residence, and miscellaneous sheds which were leased in addition to the land.
Available documentation does not indicate the construction of additional buildings by the War Department. A license for installations upon right-of-way was granted on December 6, 1944 by the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad Company and the Union Pacific Railroad Company to construct, operate, maintain, renew, and remove an 8-inch steel pipe water line and a 6-inch steel pipe water line on the railroad property.
The Mira Loma Engineer Sub-Depot was declared surplus on September 4, 1946, including both land and improvements on the 14.75 acres. The lease was terminated on November 5, 1946. The three licenses (no area) with the Railroad Companies were terminated on January 7, 1948. The sum of $1 plus other valuable considerations were paid to the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad Company and the Union Pacific Railroad Company by the United States. The release agreement for these licenses released the United States from liability and claims against them as a result of the occupation of the property by the United States.
