A Brief History of Upland, CA
Courtesy of:
Upland Chamber of Commerce
433 N. Second Ave.
Upland, CA 91786
Telephone: (909) 931-4108
George and W.B. Chaffey were brothers with a purpose. The year was 1882 and they
arrived in California from Canada seeking a new place for a colony. The wide stretch of
green against the foothills was lush and fertile and they knew they had found what they
were looking for.
After acquiring the land, they used wise and long-range planning. The wide street which
they named "Euclid" after the "Father" of geometry is still an
attraction and the envy of many. Upland was incorporated under its descriptive name on May
15, 1906, and was no longer referred to as North Ontario.
The area is rich in heritage and among the special group of early settlers were: J.T.
Hays, who designed the Euclid Avenue mule care system; Major Bodenhamer, whose
determination brought in the much needed water; and C.E. Harwood, the first president of
the Upland Lemon Growers Association. The early era found Upland an agricultural center -
its chief crop being citrus fruit and grapes. Most of the population was in some way
connected with the production, packing, shipping or processing of these crops.
Since the decline of the orchards and vineyard, Upland has become a diversified area,
keeping its country and urban feeling while enjoying the culture and advantages of being
neighbor to Los Angeles. A short drive takes you to a wide variety of recreational areas -
to the mountain resorts of Mt. Baldy, Big Bear and Lake arrowhead, to the beaches, and to
the famous desert communities.
This is a unique city where you can reach out and find the recreational pursuit of your
choice, or spice up your life with the exciting tension of the hustle and bustle of a
metropolitan city and then return home to the relaxed and leisurely pace of the "City
of Gracious Living."
