In the 1930s, the property later called Dorland Mountain Arts Colony was homesteaded by Ellen and Robert Dorland.

Ellen Babcock Dorland was a world famous concert pianist in the early part of the 20th Century. A gifted music teacher as well, Mrs. Dorland dreamed of founding a artist's colony similar to the ones she had visited on the East Coast. Her friend Barbara Horton, a dedicated environmentalist, shared her dream and was instrumental in founding the colony. What began as a private retreat for friends evolved into Southern California's only residential artists' colony and an internationally recognized haven for visual artists, writers and composers.

Between 1974 and 1988, Dorland was under the stewardship of The Nature Conservancy, an international land preservation group. The Conservancy designated Dorland as a nature preserve to protect its unique plants and wildlife. Dorland is also recognized as an Indian burial ground and considered sacred by neighboring Indian tribes. In July, 1988, The Nature Conservancy deeded the property back to the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony board of directors, with the restriction that the land be protected from development in perpetuity.

In May, 2004, a wildfire swept through Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, destroying all ten buildings. Fortunately the colony had been evacuated in advance of the flames. All residents and staff and the two dogs made it to safety.

Not long afterward, the Board of Directors convened and unanimously voted to rebuild the artists community.

With only small donations asked of artists, Dorland relies on contributions from a variety of public and private sources. From public sources, Dorland receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and the Riverside Arts Foundation. Dorland has also received private support from the Charlpeg, Ralph B. Lloyd, Roth Family, James Irvine, Flintridge, and Lannan Foundations, and many individual donors large and small, as well as the Ellen B. Dorland, Elizabeth Hopkins, and the Henry A. and Lucetta A. Cliffort Trust Bequests.