Nestled below the San Bernardino mountains is the pleasant City of Rialto.  Its dynamic growth reflects the successes of Rialto's past.

The City of Rialto is believed to have been settled prior to the year 1500.  Ancient artifacts discovered by archaeologists indicate Native American Tribes lived in the Rialto area between 1500 and 1800 AD.  Where these Tribes went, or why, remains a mystery.  Records indicated that in 1769 the King of Spain awarded portions of this area to selected Spanish Dons.

The Mormons settled the area in 1851 purchasing the Lugo Ranch (now San Bernardino) and claiming portions of the geological "bench" which later became known as Rialto.  (This claim was later disallowed by the United States Government.)  Families began moving in by the year 1854, and vineyards, citrus groves, ranches and agriculture soon prospered.  It was here in Rialto where Muscat Grapes were first grown and cuttings from the original plants were sent to many parts of the neighboring counties.  An adobe house from this time period is believed to be the oldest house in Rialto and is now restored in Bud Bender Park "Lilac Park".

In the fall of 1888 it became evident that schooling was needed so the first school was built, and Brooke School District was formed.  Records show that up until 1920, the Brooke School District was in continuous operation, except for a very short time in 1888.  A prominent Rialto family bought the first school house in 1921, remodeled the building, and members of the family have resided in it ever since.

In 1887, a railroad connector line was built between San Bernardino and Pasadena by the Santa Fe Railroad.  Along the line, townsites were located every 2,600 yards and by the fall of that year over 25 new towns had been built.  This same year, the Semitropic Land and Water Company was formed.  Its purpose was to organize the purchase, improvement and sale of real estate, water, water rights and privileges.

Also in this year, a group of Methodists arrived seeking a new college site.  Although the college was never built, it was the Methodists who started the town of Rialto.  It is not known how Rialto got its name.  One story is that it is a contraction of Rio (river) and Alto (high).  Another belief is that it was named after the Rialto Bridge located in Venice, Italy.  In either case, the bridge has remained a community symbol and will continue as the "Bridge to Progress."

Despite the land boom of the 1880's and the crash of 1889, Rialto continued to grow.  In 1893, there were half a dozen businesses and 35 homes.  Rialto's popularity quickly began to grow as it became known as a town of lovely homes and pretty shaded drives.  The Rialto School District was formed in 1891.  The staff consisted of two teachers and a principal. At that time there were separate play areas for the boys and girls.

The Chamber of Commerce was established in 1907.  Within four years the population had grown to 1,500 with 40 businesses and a local newspaper.  The City made its decision to incorporate in the spring of 1911.  The election results on October 31st of the same year were 135 for the incorporation and 72 against.  Rialto thus became a sixth class city.  Citrus became an important commodity in Rialto's early growth, and at one time seven packing plants were in use sorting, packing and shipping citrus to all areas of the country.

Foothill Boulevard was repaired in 1913 and became Route 66, a section of the transcontinental Highway System.  The following year, the Pacific Electric Train Company completed its line through the City of Rialto.  Today, the tracks above First Street (next to the Chamber of Commerce) and the Pacific Electric Depot on Riverside Avenue are part of the Southern Pacific Railroad System.

A fire in the 1920's swept through and destroyed many of the buildings in the downtown area.  Today this area has matured with new store fronts, updated buildings and rising modernization.  Also located in Rialto are seven major retail shopping centers spread throughout the community.

Rialto's population growth had increased to 3,156 by 1950.  In 1956 the population soared to 15,359.  By 1964 it showed an increase to 23,290 and to 33,500 in 1978.  Rialto is four miles wide and 8 1/2 miles long.  Rialto's population has now grown to over 80,000 as of December 1994.

The City of Rialto lies in the west portion of the San Bernardino Valley, due west of the County Seat, the City of San Bernardino.  Rialto is sixty miles to the east of Los Angeles and 103 miles north of San Diego.  

As of 2004, a new freeway is being built through the City, Interstate 210. The freeway will be a important artery in local and national transportation, and will spark new growth in every sector of the community. The new freeway will connect Rialto even more directly with the nation and the region.

The Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve Rialto, a city on the cutting edge of commercial, residential, educational, cultural and industrial growth.