A Brief History of Ontario, California

George Chaffey, a Canadian engineer and his brother William bought the "San Antonio lands," 6,218 acres with water rights for $60,000. They subsequently expanded to the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks on the south. On the north, they took in the Kincaid Ranch at San Antonio Canyon, an all-important source of water. The Ontario Colony lands were quickly surveyed and went on sale in November, 1882. But before the land could be utilized, water had to be found and brought to the town. Miles of cement pipe were laid by Chaffey, and later the San Antonio Water Co. drove a tunnel into the head of the canyon to tap the underground flow-then an innovation in the field. The need for electric power to lift water from deep wells led to the establishment of the Ontario Power Co. The results of George Chaffey’s labors showed what could be achieved, and the two brothers soon went off to Australia to attempt a repeat performance of their success as city planners here. Charles Frankish became the guiding force during Ontario’s early years, and was determined to do the best possible job.