10 fun and interesting Ontario facts

1. The 15th busiest airport in the United States

The bustling city of Ontario, California is home to the LA/Ontario International Airport, which is the 15th busiest airport in the United States by cargo carried. This airport is a major hub for freight and cargo, handling over 4.5 million tons of cargo annually. It is also the second busiest airport in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, and serves as a major gateway for international trade and commerce.

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2. Ontario Mills - The Inland Empire's Largest Shopping Mall

Ontario, California is home to the largest shopping mall in the Inland Empire, Ontario Mills. With over 200 stores, Ontario Mills is a popular destination for shoppers looking for the latest fashion trends, electronics, and entertainment. The mall also features a variety of restaurants, a movie theater, and an indoor amusement park. With its convenient location and wide selection of stores, Ontario Mills is a great place to shop and have fun.

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3. The Ontario Motor Speedway

The Ontario Motor Speedway, once a prominent fixture in the city of Ontario, was a 1.5-mile oval track that hosted some of the most exciting races in the world. It was the first superspeedway in the United States to feature a paved track and hosted the California 500, a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race, from 1971 to 1980. The track was also the site of the first IndyCar race in the state of California, the California 500 IndyCar race, which ran from 1980 to 1983. Unfortunately, the track was closed in 1980 and demolished in 1983, leaving only memories of the thrilling races that took place there.

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4. A Province Named After a Model Colony

The Canadian province of Ontario takes its name from the Ontario Model Colony, a development established in the late 19th century by the Canadian Land and Emigration Company. The colony was established in the area of what is now southwestern Ontario, and was intended to be a model of agricultural and industrial development. The colony was successful in its mission, and the name Ontario was adopted for the entire province in 1867.

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5. The Chaffey Brothers and the Development of Ontario

In 1882, the Canadian engineer George Chaffey, along with his brothers William and Charles, established the settlement of Ontario. The three brothers were pioneers in the development of irrigation systems in the area, and their work helped to transform the region into the thriving agricultural hub it is today. George and William were also instrumental in the development of the city of Ontario, which was incorporated in 1891. The Chaffey brothers' legacy lives on in the city of Ontario, which is now home to over 170,000 people.

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6. Ontario's Chaffeys: A Family's Legacy

The Chaffeys, a family of settlers, named the settlement they founded after their home province of Ontario, Canada. This province, located in the east-central part of the country, is the most populous in Canada, with over 14 million people. It is home to the nation's capital, Ottawa, and the largest city, Toronto. Ontario is also known for its vast natural beauty, with over 250,000 lakes and rivers, and the iconic Niagara Falls.

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7. Ontario's Sister Cities

Ontario has five sister cities around the world, each with its own unique culture and history. Brockville, Ontario, Canada is a city of over 20,000 people located on the St. Lawrence River. Guamuchil, Sinaloa, Mexico is a city of over 100,000 people located in the state of Sinaloa. Mocorito, Sinaloa, Mexico is a city of over 30,000 people located in the same state. Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico is a city of over 200,000 people located in the same state. Finally, Winterthur, Switzerland is a city of over 100,000 people located in the canton of Zurich. These five cities are connected to Ontario through a shared commitment to international friendship and understanding.

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8. Notable Ontarians

The Canadian province of Ontario is home to a number of notable residents, including politician Jim Brulte, who served as the leader of the California Republican Party from 2003 to 2007, former professional soccer player Cle Kooiman, who played for the Dutch national team and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and author Joseph Wambaugh, who is best known for his crime fiction novels.

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9. Ontario's Weather

Ontario is a province in Canada that experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot and humid summers and mild winters. Temperatures in the summer months can reach up to 30°C (86°F) and in the winter months, temperatures can drop to -20°C (-4°F). Rainfall is generally low throughout the year, with the majority of precipitation occurring in the spring and summer months.

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10. Kenny Rogers Roasters: A History in Pictures

The iconic Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant, which had been a staple of the United States dining scene since its inception in 1991, had its last remaining location in the Ontario Mills mall in Ontario, California. After 20 years of serving up delicious rotisserie chicken, the restaurant closed its doors for the last time on December 31, 2011. The closure of the Ontario Mills location marked the end of an era for Kenny Rogers Roasters, as it was the last remaining location in the United States.