San Bernardino, California

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from Ontario International Airport. The town occupies a position surrounded by mountains, fertile valleys and deserts, and is one of the fastest growing parts of California.

Development

The Franciscan Fathers of the San Gabriel Mission founded an "asistencia" (hospital) here in 1810, but it was pillaged several times by the Paiute Indians. As it was founded on the name day of San Bernardino of Siena it was named after that saint. Four decades later Mormons settled here, and laid the town out in the manner of Salt Lake City. However, the Mormon leader Brigham Young recalled them after only six years. Nevertheless, the town developed without further hindrance, and today is one of California's orange-growing centers.