Fontana: From Steel Mill Town to Inland Empire Suburb
Kaiser Steel built its West Coast mill in Fontana during World War II, and for decades the plant defined the city. At its peak, the mill employed thousands of workers and produced steel for ships, bridges, and construction projects. The plant closed in 1983, and the land was eventually redeveloped into the California Speedway, now known as Auto Club Speedway. NASCAR races at the track drew large crowds, though the facility's long-term future has been uncertain as development pressures mount on the valuable land.
Fontana's population has grown to roughly 213,000, driven by the same forces that expanded the entire Inland Empire: affordable housing relative to coastal Southern California, proximity to interstate highways, and available land for single-family homes. The city sits along Interstate 10 and Interstate 15, positioning it as a logistics corridor. Warehouses and distribution centers have multiplied across the area, serving the e-commerce supply chain for the broader Los Angeles region.
Residential neighborhoods in Fontana range from older tract housing near the center to newer developments in the north, closer to the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The city has invested in parks and community facilities, but the rapid growth of the past three decades outpaced infrastructure in several areas. Schools, roads, and public services have been under continuous pressure to keep up with the expanding population.
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Kaiser Steel built its West Coast mill in Fontana during World War II, and for decades the plant defined the city. At its peak, the mill employed thousands of workers and produced steel for ships, bridges, and construction projects. The plant closed in 1983, and the land was eventually redeveloped into the California Speedway, now known as Auto Club Speedway. NASCAR races at the track drew large crowds, though the facility's long-term future has been uncertain as development pressures mount on the valuable land.
Fontana's population has grown to roughly 213,000, driven by the same forces that expanded the entire Inland Empire: affordable housing relative to coastal Southern California, proximity to interstate highways, and available land for single-family homes. The city sits along Interstate 10 and Interstate 15, positioning it as a logistics corridor. Warehouses and distribution centers have multiplied across the area, serving the e-commerce supply chain for the broader Los Angeles region.
Residential neighborhoods in Fontana range from older tract housing near the center to newer developments in the north, closer to the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The city has invested in parks and community facilities, but the rapid growth of the past three decades outpaced infrastructure in several areas. Schools, roads, and public services have been under continuous pressure to keep up with the expanding population.
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