Perris highlight
Historic railroad heritage
Perris was founded in 1885 when the California Southern Railroad arrived, and the historic Perris Depot still stands as a recognized landmark in the city's development.
The history of Perris is inseparable from the railroad that built it. The California Southern Railroad arrived in the area in the 1880s, and residents relocated two miles north to settle around the new depot, establishing what would become the city of Perris in 1885. The city takes its name from Fred T. Perris, the chief engineer of the California Southern Railroad, whose vision for the rail line shaped the region's geography and future. The original Perris Depot, built during this founding period, remains a recognized historic structure and stands as a physical reminder of the city's roots.
Today Perris honors its railroad heritage through the Southern California Railway Museum, located at 2201 South A Street in the city. Founded in 1956 and relocated to Perris, the museum houses the world's largest collection of Pacific Electric Railway rolling stock, along with historic electric railway vehicles from the Los Angeles Railway system. The museum operates a heritage railroad with vintage passenger trains running on select weekends, allowing visitors of all ages to experience the era when trains were the backbone of Southern California's growth. Free admission and parking make it accessible to families and preserves a century of regional transportation history.
The story of Perris—a community built by and around the railroad—reminds us that the infrastructure we build today, and the connections we maintain with the people who depend on us, extend beyond our own lifetimes. Just as the railroad shaped the city's future by bringing opportunity and growth, the financial commitments we make through life insurance shape our families' futures. A term policy ensures that the foundation you build—whether through homeownership, education savings, or business investment—continues to support your family's plans even if you are not here to see them through.