Upland

Today about 50,000 cars pass through the intersection of Euclid and Foothill blvd each day under the control of traffic signals and those nasty red light cameras....80 years ago though, there weren't any traffic control at all, no stop signs and of course traffic signals had not been invented yet.....In fact the only signals of any sort on Euclid, were the people at the train crossings that would run out from shacks built along the tracks and close the gates and wave a red flag or red light at night to make cars stop as a train approached.

Those were the only stop signals of any sort at any intersection on Euclid, because the State Engineers said that stop signs weren't needed yet....Not enough traffic they said...They even sent a team down to count the cars that traveled up and down Euclid and crossed on Foothill after the city of Upland has complained....They did this on a Sunday Afternoon, when hardly any one was out driving around....Back then most people went to church and then went home....Most business's were closed on Sunday, so most people just stayed home on Sunday.

In early 1900 rumors of a new city rising in the Inland Empire were met with skeptics and angry retorts of "What's wrong with those people?" in letters to the editors of both local newspapers, the Ontario Record and the Upland News, both papers were in the heat of the battle.....There could be only one outcome....Cityhood for Upland.

By 1906 the war of words had intensified to a war of rocks and bricks being thrown at opposing groups as they stared off at each other in political gatherings....To read reports of both papers you would think that civil war was at hand, or perhaps even a new Revolutionary War.....The Ontario Record thought the whole idea of Upland city was pretty much revolting....Letters of residents and the editor kept on emphasizing how much better off the region would be if Upland stayed a part of Ontario.....The Upland News on the other hand, was urging citizens of North Ontario, to officially change the name of the community to Upland and seek independence from the greedy landbarons of Ontario....They were talking about the Chaffey Bros, and the Local Winery God Fathers and that sort of talk offended a lot of people on both sides of the fight.

Old Santa Fe Depot... new home of Pacific Wine Merchants

All aboarrrrrrrd!  Today we travel to downtown Upland to visit the historic railroad depot building, also known as "The Santa Fe Depot" and new home of Pacific Wine Merchants and Cigar Exchange  (PWM).  Founded in 1995, PMW is operated by longtime friends of the vine, Fred Paciocco, Managing Partner and Mark Heffernan, General Manager/Wine Buyer, both reside in Upland. 

PWM features over 600 different labels from all over the world, although premium California wines are offered in abundance including sparklers, reds, whites, rose' and desserts. "There is something here for all budgets with wines priced from $4.99 to several hundred dollars, including specialty releases and hard to finds.  Many bottles are available at 10.99.  Our selection is ever evolving and most unique.  I believe one of our strongest assets is our helpful and knowledgeable staff.  We know the wines, where they were made and more!  We pay attention to our customers and the details," said Fred.  PWM is located track side at 210 East 'A' Street (East of Euclid Avenue) near the Upland Metrolink Station (next to Boomer's Coffee Shop), just across the street from The Cooper Regional History Museum.

As you head west on Foothill (Route 66) crossing Central Ave and just about the time you are to pass into Montclair, you see a very Western Style Restaurant on the south side of the street.....Its unique Western Motif is also dominated by a equally unique Western styled sign....It reads the Buffalo Inn....What in the world is the Buffalo Inn? Do they serve Buffalo Meat or something.

As a matter of fact they do....The Buffalo Inn has been serving Buffalo burgers to residents and passerby's since 1929, when it was opened as a restaurant and tavern serving Buffalo burgers and draft beer.

The Buffalo Inn interior is also the predicted Western style, but the large trellised out door patio is a shaded area where in the summer time you can kick back and enjoy the restaurants signature Buffalo burger and a large draft, or perhaps a spicy Cajun chicken sandwich, a large pot of chili, a t-bone and another specially of the restaurant, there home made potato chips and at the same time listen to the nights live entertainment.

An object that I had always seen at Christmas time for the past 55 years, disappeared after the fires in 2003 had destroyed it and then again, after being rebuilt, when vandals stole it in 2006....I and many others thought, that we would never seen the Christmas Star ever again.....It has been a symbol of the Inland Empire....And it is back.

Well at least a couple of them.....

Ricky Adams, Was a Major League Baseball pitcher.....This can't be the same Ricky Adams I knew....He died while swimming off of Malibu back in the 70's....Ricky Adams was born on Wednesday, January 21, 1959, in Upland, California.....Adams was 23 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 15, 1982, with the California Angels.....He retired from baseball in 1985 after playing for one year with the San Francisco Giants.

Kevin Ara, Professional soccer player; Ara played his college soccer at Harvard University, where he had a rather distinguished career.....While at Harvard, he was named first team All-Ivy twice, second team once, was named first team All-New England twice and an NCAA All-American.....Ara was placed on the short list of finalists for the prestigious Herman Trophy during his senior season.....After graduating from Harvard, Ara was selected 24th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.....Ara, managed to make an impact and earned significant playing time during his 2004 rookie season while winning a championship with DC United.....After the 2004 season, Ara was selected 18th overall by Real Salt Lake in the Expansion Draft.....Kevin was born in Upland in 1982