A Brief History of Ontario CA

Incorporated as a city in 1891, Ontario was discovered by a pair of Canadian engineering brothers, who found the area then known as the wasteland of the Cucamonga desert, felt that if the area was watered properly it could prosper into a great place. They named it after their native province of Ontario in Canada. Ontario first was developed as an agricultural community, primarily with the citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, a few of the old grove houses still survive.

Since World War II, Ontario has become a much more diversified community. The mean temperature of 61 degrees and the average rainfall of 18.4" continues to attract more residents; with an approximate population of 170,373. The city has expanded from the 0.38 square mile area incorporated back in 1891, up to almost 50 square miles.