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Fontana, California

"City of Action"
From citrus to steel mill to drag racing, Fontana reinvented itself in the Inland Empire's relentless growth.
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Founded 1913 | Population 223,089 | Peak 223,089 (2024) | County San Bernardino County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Fontana, California

6
1913 Founded: Established as farming community.
1
1942 Kaiser Steel Mill: Henry Kaiser built the West's first integrated steel mill for WWII, employing 10,000.
10
1945 Wartime Diversity: WWII brought diverse workers to the mill.
2
1948 Hell's Angels Founded: The notorious motorcycle club originated in Fontana.
5
1983 Kaiser Closes: The mill closed, devastating the economy.
4
1997 California Speedway: Brought NASCAR Cup racing to the Inland Empire.
3
2000 Population Explosion: Doubled from 87K to 169K as IE housing attracted coastal families.
7
2010 Logistics Hub: Massive warehouses serve SoCal supply chains.
9
2015 Growth Continues: New communities expand into foothills.
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Population Over Time

0 55,772 111,545 167,317 223,089 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

Latest News in Fontana

Apr 11, 2026
Sexual Assault Probe and Staff Revolt Threaten to End Congressman’s California Gubernatorial Bid
Rep. Eric Swalwell’s once-promising campaign for California governor has unraveled with breathtaking speed. In little more than …
Apr 10, 2026
Pattern of Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists Sparks Calls for Federal Scrutiny
The quiet death of a veteran NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist in 2023 has resurfaced amid a string of unexplained fataliti…
Mar 22, 2026
Parolee with Prior Double-Murder Conviction Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Killing of South Los Angeles Woman
LOS ANGELES—A man previously convicted of two murders in 1998 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole …
Mar 16, 2026
Study: Cannabis Ineffective for Most Mental Disorders
A major review of past studies has delivered a clear verdict on the role of cannabis-based medicines in treating mental health and…
Mar 16, 2026
Investigator Exposes $170M Fraud in California
Investigator Nick Shirley has brought to light a massive $170 million fraud scheme operating within California, representing a sig…
Mar 15, 2026
NYPD Captain Arrested for Assaulting Alleged Child Predator
NYPD Captain Kai Bowen is now facing serious legal repercussions following an off-duty incident that escalated into violence. Repo…

Complete Historical Timeline

1913 Government
Founded
1942 Industry
Kaiser Steel Mill
1945 Social
Wartime Diversity
1948 Culture
Hell's Angels Founded
1983 Industry
Kaiser Closes
1997 Sports
California Speedway
2000 Government
Population Explosion
2010 Business
Logistics Hub
2015 Architecture
Growth Continues

Did You Know?

1
Kaiser Steel was the only integrated mill west of the Rockies, employing 10,000 at peak.
2
The Hell's Angels originated in Fontana in the late 1940s.
3
Fontana has transformed into one of the largest logistics hubs in Southern California.
4
Fontana is located in San Bernardino County, California.
5
Fontana was founded in 1913.

Famous People from Fontana, California

TB
Travis Barker
Actor, Composer · Born Nov 14, 1975 · Age 50
BF
Bill Fagerbakke
Actor, Voice Actor · Born Oct 4, 1957 · Age 68
ME
Maurice Edu
Association Football Player · Born Apr 18, 1986 · Age 39
SB
Shannon Boxx
Association Football Player · Born Jun 29, 1977 · Age 48
TE
Torri Edwards
Sprinter, Athletics Competitor · Born Jan 31, 1977 · Age 49

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