Retro Route 66 Unisex Jersey Tee | Fontana, CA: The City of Action

Part of Our Route 66 Everytown Collection – Fontana Edition

Embrace the industrial spirit of the Mother Road with this ultra-soft unisex jersey tee, expertly spun from 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. Featuring the classic slogan "The City of Action," our Fontana design celebrates a dynamic California stop where Route 66 met industrial might.

Perfect gift for industrial history buffs, resilient road trippers, or collectors of our exclusive Route 66 Everytown Collection, honoring Fontana's enduring legacy.

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About Fontana, California: Steel City on Route 66

Fontana, known as the "Steel City" and "The City of Action," represents Route 66's industrial side, a manufacturing powerhouse that fueled America's war effort and post-war expansion. Unlike the tourist-oriented motor courts and roadside attractions that defined many Mother Road towns, Fontana's Route 66 legacy is rooted in heavy industry, working-class communities, and the massive Kaiser Steel Mill that dominated the city's economy for five decades.

Early Development and A.B. Miller's Vision

Fontana's modern history began in 1913 when entrepreneur Azariel Blanchard Miller (A.B. Miller) purchased land in San Bernardino County and established the Fontana Farms Company, envisioning an agricultural colony supported by citrus groves and poultry ranching. Miller promoted Fontana aggressively, attracting settlers with promises of productive farmland and mild climate. The community incorporated in 1952, but its character was already being shaped by larger industrial forces.

Route 66 Through Fontana

Route 66's 1926 designation brought Fontana onto the national highway map. The Mother Road followed Foothill Boulevard through the city, connecting it to neighboring San Bernardino and the growing Los Angeles basin. During the 1930s, Fontana served as a modest highway stop with basic services, but it lacked the tourist attractions and motor courts that defined more memorable Route 66 towns.

Kaiser Steel and World War II Transformation

Fontana's defining moment came in 1942 when industrialist Henry J. Kaiser established Kaiser Steel Mill: the first integrated steel mill built in the western United States in the 20th century. Located near Route 66, the massive facility was constructed to support World War II production needs, manufacturing steel for ships, military equipment, and infrastructure.

The mill transformed Fontana overnight from a small agricultural community into an industrial boomtown. Thousands of workers flooded into the city, creating housing demands, supporting businesses, and fundamentally changing Fontana's character. The plant operated 24 hours a day, with smoke stacks visible for miles along Route 66, symbolizing American industrial might during and after the war.

Kaiser Steel employed up to 10,000 workers at its peak and became the economic engine of the Inland Empire. For Route 66 travelers passing through Fontana in the 1940s-60s, the sprawling mill complex represented American industrial power, a stark contrast to the desert landscapes and tourist-friendly stops located elsewhere along the Mother Road.

Decline and Transformation

Kaiser Steel's fortunes declined in the 1970s-80s due to foreign competition and economic shifts. The mill closed permanently in 1983, devastating Fontana's economy and leaving massive industrial ruins. The closure coincided with Interstate 10's bypass of historic Route 66, further diminishing the city's connection to its highway heritage.

Fontana Today

Modern Fontana has successfully reinvented itself as a logistics and distribution hub, leveraging its strategic location and transportation infrastructure. With over 200,000 residents, the city has grown into one of the fastest-growing communities in Southern California. Route 66 remnants survive along Foothill Boulevard, Fontana's original Mother Road corridor.

While lacking the preserved vintage charm of more tourist-focused Route 66 towns, Fontana offers an authentic look at how the highway served working industrial cities, not just leisure travelers. The former Kaiser Steel site has been redeveloped, though some advocates work to preserve industrial heritage elements. For Route 66 enthusiasts interested in the highway's complete story, beyond the diners and neon signs, Fontana represents the industrial backbone that made mid-century American prosperity possible.

Product Features:

100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton for premium softness
Side seams for added structure and durability
Tear-away label for comfort
Classic crew neckline with a flattering unisex fit - true-to-size for all day comfort (see size chart for details)
Fulfilled in the USA