Ontario Things to Do

From 1888 - 1895 the Ontario Mule Car was an early form public transportation. The street railway's franchise was granted in 1887, five years after the Chaffy brothers founded the city, and was carrying passengers by 1888. Residents in the area had begun to settle along Euclid Avenue from Ontario seven miles north to the mountains. The mules pulled the vehicle up the 1,000 foot rise to 24th street and then rode down the hill standing on the platform in back. With the car powered by gravity. The trip took about one hour up the hill, but the return trip was made in 20 minutes. After the power plant was built in San Antonio Canyon in 1895, the mules were sold to a farmer, and the cars were powered by electricity. As the story goes, the mules never worked out for the farmer because they would pull his plow one way, but refused to return because they expected a ride back. The mule car was pioneered by Charles Frankish and Godfrey Stamm, but the idea is credited to Captain John Tays, who recalled that in South Africa mules were used to pull the mining cars out of the shafts.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Intersection of Community and Commerce
500 East "E" Street, Suite 200
Ontario, CA 91764

A fond memory:
While exploring and when I cam upon this, a wonderful lady was there reading about the mule car. Said she was a local and for years never stopped to check this out. She made a point that day and was so delighted she did. We had such a nice chat too!

Built in 1940 and is on the local list of Historic Landmarks, this post office is still being used. If you ever have been in one of the local post offices, they usually have some type of mural on the wall. I was tickled to see they had two different ones. Really unique pieces of local art depicted local history.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Intersection of Community and Commerce
500 East "E" Street, Suite 200
Ontario, CA 91764

Peppers trees were brought over from Spain when the California Missions were being established. Euclid Avenue Center Parkway has these lovely Pepper Trees that lines the road. When I was walking over to the museum, I just happen to look down and noticed the neat little piece of history.

It reads:
This is one of nine young pepper trees purchased and planted on Euclid Avenue by the students of Ontario's nine public elementary schools in observance of Arbor Day March 8, 1954. The young trees were planted as replacements for mature trees lost in the severe windstorm that struck this area in December, 1953.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Intersection of Community and Commerce
500 East "E" Street, Suite 200
Ontario, CA 91764

The museum was closed that day. It houses creation of over 30 Artist and I am sure they are some wonderful exhibits. Its located in a very wonderful Spanish style building that has a really beautiful fountain in the front courtyard.

Museum Hours:
Open 12pm - 4pm
Thursday - Sunday
Free Admission

Was designed by Charles Frankish a popular architectural style known as Second Renaissance Revival.

From a 1915 article on Charles Frankish in the Ontario Daily Report:
One of the latest undertakings of the Frankish Company for the promotion of the city's best interests is the erection of the handsome stone, brick and reinforced concrete business block at the southwest corner of Euclid Avenue and Commercial Court [Transit Street] known as the Frankish Building.

The ground floor of this building...will be devoted probably entirely to mercantile or financial establishments, while the second and third floors are being fitted for very high-class and modern living apartments and offices. The central location of this building, together with the beautiful views it commands of the mountains and of City Hall Park, make it particularly desirable for a high-grade apartment house.

Practically the entire work of construction of this handsome building has been under the direct supervision of Mr. Frankish or of his son, Hugh H. Frankish. Nothing but the best of materials have been used and all workmanship has been of the highest quality so that this three-story edifice is quite substantial as it is handsome.

It is the most handsome and substantial business block in the city and it is doubtful if it would be possible to erect one more simply ornate and beautiful....Indeed the exquisite art stone, of which it is largely built was made from their own formula, right on the ground, and might almost be said to be an 'epoch' in the art of stone making.http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/43frankish/43facts2.htm

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Intersection of Community and Commerce
500 East "E" Street, Suite 200
Ontario, CA 91764

The plaque reads: This fountain was built by the Women's Christian Temperance Union and dedicated to the City of ONtario on July 4, 1908, to provide the town with "A Drinking Fountain where only the pure, sparkling water can be had at any time by the thirsty one." It was originally located on the northwest corner of Holt ("A" St.) and Euclid Avenue, and was relocated on this site to commemorate the Bicentennial year on September 6, 1975 by the Ontario Parkway Kiwanis Club.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Intersection of Community and Commerce
500 East "E" Street, Suite 200
Ontario, CA 91764

When George Chaffey an engineer in 1881 visioned that this vast land could be fertile. Along with his brother he bought over 6,000 acres of land and water rights. George knew that Euclid Avenue named after a Greek mathematician he favored while in school, would be the cities centerpiece for years to come. Euclid Avenue is eight miles long and two hundred feet wide, the twin "driveways" separated by a very lovely parkway of green grass and is lined with pepper trees. Soon the city brought in the "gravity mule car" in 1887 that made its first run on Euclid Avenue which labored till 1895. It was eventually replaced with an electric car.

What impressed me is the middle parkway is gorgeous. You just know that city pride reflects here and it probably a very popular place during yearly festivals here. The buildings all still have their historic charm. Some of been modified to be more modern, but you just know underneath it original charm is hidden. There are lots of wonderful establishments here still. It was very fun and relaxing to wonder up and down and explore such wonderful place. Good job Ontario for keeping her alive.

Most of these buildings that line the boulevard are on the Local Historic Landmarks list.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Intersection of Community and Commerce
500 East "E" Street, Suite 200
Ontario, CA 91764

Mount Baldy is just a short drive from Ontario. This mountain of about 10,000 or so feet is somewhat popular for skiing in the winter. In the summer, hikers make the journey of about 5 miles and about 4,000 feet to its summit where, on a clear day, you can see the San Bernadino mountains.

For more information on Mount Baldy, feel free to browse my Mount Baldy page.

This arena has just opened a month ago.You can watch ice-hockey games,concerts,Basketball games there.