Fontana

Fontana is a densely populated city in San Bernardino County, California, lying between Interstate 10 and the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. Low single-family houses and multi-story apartment blocks shape the urban landscape, while wide streets divide the terrain into a grid of residential neighborhoods and commercial zones.

The area served mainly as farmland with fruit orchards and poultry farms until the early 1940s. Construction of a large steel mill during World War II brought thousands of workers and their families here, creating an entire industrial town in a short time.

The town takes its name from a nearby spring and has grown into a dense residential area where working families and younger households settle. Local markets and small shops along the main streets show a mix of Mexican and American everyday life.

Most facilities and shops lie along the major through roads, while residential areas remain quieter with little foot traffic. Having a car is nearly essential for visits and daily errands, as public transport options are limited.

An early 20th-century depot building was converted into a center for exhibitions and events, now displaying work by local artists. The Lewis Library offers not just books but also computer rooms and meeting spaces for neighborhood groups in a modern building.

Location: San Bernardino County

Inception: 1913

Elevation above the sea: 377 m

Shares border with: San Gabriel Mountains, Glen Avon

Website: http://fontana.org

GPS coordinates: 34.10000,-117.46667

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:17