Fontana, city (1990 pop. 87,535), San Bernardino co., S Calif., suburb 45 mi/72 km E of downtown Los Angeles and 10 mi/16 km W of San Bernardino, at the S foot of the San Bernardino Mts.; 34°06'N 117°28'W. Mfg. (fabricated metal prods., construction materials, transportation equip.); small steel mill. Mormons farmed on the site in the 1850s; in the early 20th cent. extensive citrus orchards were planted. During World War II the Kaiser (steel) mill was built (closed 1982 and main section shipped to China, 1994) and Fontana began its transformation from an agr. to an industrial community. The city has grown extensively along with the development of S Calif., and the pop. has increased four-fold since the 1970s. Speedway Rialo Municipal Airport to NE. San Bernardino Natl. Forest, including San Gabriel Mts., to N.; Glen Helen Regional State Park to NE. Inc. 1952.
