Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Lafourcade Family and its Winery

— The Vintners Walk —

Photographed by Adam Margolis, March 5, 2023

1. The Lafourcade Family and its Winery Marker

Inscription. In the early part of this century, John B. Lafourcade established an extensive and elaborate wine-making and grape-handling business in an era marked by failed attempts at such endeavors in the Rochester/Cucamonga area. The story of Lafourcade represents an important link in the early history of the Cucamonga Valley. Migrating at the age of 17 from La Houtan, France, the young man arrived in the Pomona Valley in the early 1900s. Lafourcade accepted the challenges posed by the hot, dry climate and embarked on his venture, purchasing 800 acres along old San Bernardino Road, known today as Foothill Boulevard. At first transporting water from the canyons above by wagon, in 1918 Lafourcade drilled the area's deepest well at 630 feet at the purported cost of $33,000. Embarking on an ambitious construction project between 1918 and 1922, Lafourcade had constructed on the north side of the road two bunk houses for his permanent labor force, wine manufacturing and storage buildings, company offices, a wagon repair shop, a box manufacturing shop/packing house, a gas station, and his family's home; on the south side, the company store.

Lafourcade

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had married Josephine Lestiri (or Lastiri) from Pamplona, Spain, on June 20, 1903. Her many skills, including her command of languages and book keeping, made her an important partner. Together they had seven children, all but the last of whom was born on the Cucamonga Ranch. The passage of Prohibition combined with the effects of the Great Depression, spurred the demise of the Lafourcade enterprise, and the family left the area in the 1940s to focus on other entrepreneurial efforts in agriculture elsewhere in California and Arizona.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 34° 6.364′ N, 117° 32.773′ W. Marker is in Rancho Cucamonga, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached from Foothill Boulevard 0.1 miles west of Rochester Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in front of the entrance to Denny's Restaurant in Masi Plaza. Best accessed via the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11899 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730, United States of America.

Photographed by Levi Gonzalez, December 31, 2019

2. The Lafourcade Family and its Winery Marker

Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Vintners Walk (here, next to this marker); The First Vineyards (here, next to this marker); Grapes in the Desert (a few steps from this marker); Guasti and the Italian Vineyard Company (a few steps from this marker); Boom or Bust: Prohibition and the Great Depression (within shouting distance of this marker); From Vineyards to Cities (within shouting distance of this marker); The Masi Brother's Winery (within shouting distance of this marker); Etiwanda Grape Products Company Site (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rancho Cucamonga.

More about this marker.

Photographed by Craig Baker, June 12, 2020

3. The Lafourcade Family and its Winery Marker

Marker is part of the Vintner's Walk, which has a series of markers retelling the history of the area.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, March 5, 2023

4. The Lafourcade Family and its Winery Marker

The marker can be seen to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2020, by Levi Gonzalez of Rancho Cucamonga, California. This page has been viewed 1,023 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 22, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on May 6, 2020, by Levi Gonzalez of Rancho Cucamonga, California. 3. submitted on June 12, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on March 22, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.