Fontana is a city located in San Bernardino County, California.
Originally a sleepy, dusty town of citrus orchards and cattle ranches astride Route 66 and numerous rail lines, Fontana was radically transformed during World War II by the construction of a steel mill belonging to the Henry J. Kaiser Company and the routing of the San Bernardino Freeway through a section of the town. Explosive growth soon followed, with the area becoming a prominent industrial exurb of Los Angeles. Its working-class orientation, and a population of largely rural Southern and Midwestern origins, led to the city receiving the derisive nickname "Fontucky." This reputation for provincialism was not aided by the rise to prominence of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, which had originally formed in Fontana.
Foreign competition and mismanagement led to the closure of the Kaiser Steel plant in the early 1980s, and Fontana and neighboring San Bernardino soon became infamous centers of white poverty. The production and consumption of methamphetamine, and its distribution by the Hell's Angels, rose to epidemic proportions during this time. However, Fontana's fortunes improved notably (along with the rest of the cities of the "Inland Empire") with the advent of the Southern California real estate boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s: as of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 128,929, but a July 1, 2002 Census estimate showed the fast-growing city's population at 143,607. The completion of the Foothill Freeway extension in 2003 should contribute to Fontana's increasing prominence as both a bedroom community and a center of industry.
Fontana's principal cultural/entertainment attraction is the California Speedway, a racetrack that plays host to two NASCAR events a year. It is built on the former site of the Kaiser mill.
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Troy Percival and Travis Barker, drummer for Aquabats, Blink-182, The Transplants and Box Car Racer were both born in Fontana.
Web Sites and Links
• Acquanetta Warren
Appointed incumbent, running for city council. Site includes ballot statement, accomplishments, endorsements, and contact E-mail.
• California SpeedwayA auto racing speedway that hosts races sanctioned by various different professional racing leagues. Information on ticket sales, news on events, and maps of the area.
• Calvary Chapel FontanaIncludes schedule, ministries and announcements.
• City of FontanaOfficial municipal site.
• Fontana Area Chamber of CommerceOffers information on living and doing business in Fontana, chamber membership and events, and a directory of member businesses.
• Fontana BucksOfficial site for the local Pop Warner Bucks youth football team. Schedule, statistics, and team members.
• Fontana Button Accordion ClubPromotes Slovene Style Music and the button accordion (Diatonic Accordion). Member photos and performance schedule.
• Fontana Herald NewsOnline local news, sports, business & classified ads.
• Fontana Kiwanis ClubActivities, officers, and photos for local chapter of community service organization.
• Friendship Community Christian Reformed ChurchInformation about the ministries of the church, its history, a number of resources and a list of audio tapes of services.
• Healthy FontanaA program designed to help city residents become healthier, by issuing "passports" to residents and stickers for healthy products. Site has information on exercise and foods, the history of the program, and contact information.
• Jer-Mars AkitasPhotos of the owner's show dogs and email contact to inquire about buying puppies.
• Once Upon a TimePhotographer Viviana Suner specializes in images of children in Victorian settings. Includes gallery.
• Sierra Lakes Golf ClubDesigned by Ted Robinson at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains near Los Angeles. Hole diagrams, facility tours and wedding guide.
• The Carpenter's HouseInter-denominational church. Information about the ministries, worship schedule, and a map.
• Troudt, ErichMagician offers illusions, comedy, and Halloween performances. Biography, photo gallery, contact information, and up-coming events.
