Editing Banning, California (section)

===Early history===
The area, up to the mid-19th century, was inhabited by the [[Cahuilla people]], though the region around Banning was originally Maringayam ([[Serrano (people)|Serrano]]); the Cahuilla expansion into the pass occurred only late in recent, documented history. In 1824, the [[Mission San Gabriel Arcángel]] established the ''Rancho San Gorgonio'' in the pass. The first [[Anglo]] to settle in the area was Dr. Isaac Smith in 1853. In 1863, a smallpox epidemic further diminished the Cahuilla. The [[Indian reservation]]s for the Cahuilla were established in 1877.

The settlement that was to become Banning developed in coincidence  with the start of the [[Steamboats of the Colorado River#Colorado River Gold Rush|Colorado River Gold Rush]]. The [[Bradshaw Trail]], which passed through the area in 1862, was a wagon road to the gold [[boomtown]]s of the [[Arizona Territory]]. '''[[Gilman Ranch|Gilman's Ranch]]''', north of downtown, served as a station for the stagecoach lines on this road.<ref name=Wheeler>Topographical Sketch showing the Outward and Inward Route of a Party, while examining as to the practicability of a Diversion of the Colorado River for Purposes of Irrigation, Lithograph by Eric Bergland, 1875. From, Wheeler, G.M., Topographical Atlas Projected To Illustrate United States Geographical Surveys West Of The 100th Meridian Of Longitude Prosecuted In Accordance With Acts Of Congress Under The Authority Of The Honorable The Secretary Of War, And The Direction Of Brig. Genl. A.A. Humphreys, Chief Of Engineers, U.S. Army. Embracing Results Of the Different Expeditions Under The Command Of 1st Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler, Corps Of Engineers. Julius Bien, lith., G. Thompson, Washington, 1876. Names and distances between stations and watering places on the Bradshaw Trail taken from this survey map.</ref> The railroad followed, passing through the town in 1876. The [[Southern Pacific Railroad|Southern Pacific]] (later purchased by [[Union Pacific]]) railroad was a major contributor to the area's growth. [[U.S. Route 99 (California)|U.S. Route 99]] was built in 1923, followed by [[U.S. Route 60 (California)|U.S. Route 60]]/[[US 70 (CA)|70]] in 1936, and subsequently [[Interstate 10 (California)|Interstate 10]].

Banning borders the [[Morongo Indian Reservation]], home to the Morongo Band of Cahuilla (Mission) Indians. Relations with reservation residents have been strained by disputes over water rights. Dorothy Ramon's book ''Always Believe'' (published 2000) depicts a Maringayam's views on Banning and reservation life.

Prior to the name Banning, the settlement was called '''Moore City'''. [[Ransom B. Moore]] operated a large cattle ranch and was later a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, settling in the area and nearby San Gorgonio mountains in the early 1860s. Moore sold his holdings and relocated to central Arizona in 1883.

The town of Banning was [[municipal corporation|incorporated]] on February 6, 1913.