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

The Bridge To Progress

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 13, 2024

1. The Bridge To Progress Marker

Inscription.
The story says that when Hattie, the daughter of City founder Samuel Merrill returned from a trip to Italy, she was so impressed with the Rialto Bridge in Venice, that she insisted her father name the city after it. While the exact reason the City was named Rialto may be unclear, it is known throughout the region by its motto, "The Bridge to Progress" and continues to serve as an important part of transportation and commerce for all of the Inland Empire.

This look-alike is not the first to ever be built in the city. Replicas of the Rialto Bridge have been featured in parades, on citrus labels and even the old street lamps in the City were made of two lighted globes that were spanned by a replica of the bridge. While many of these tributes are memories, this new replica will serve as a reminder of the City's humble beginnings as it moves into the future.

Erected by City of Rialto.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 34° 6.087′ N, 117° 23.043′ W. Marker is in Rialto, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on North Fillmore Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 189 N Fillmore Avenue, Rialto CA 92376, United States of America. 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,

in 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rialto Adobe (approx. 0.4 miles away); Viticulture and the Muscat Grape (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Christian Church of Rialto (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Era of Citrus & Fruit Colonies (approx. one mile away); Fontana Farms Company (approx. 3.4 miles away); Site of U.S. Rabbit Experimental Station (approx. 3½ miles away); Colton Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Mitla Café (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rialto.

More about this marker. The marker is on the Pacific Electric Bike Trail, just a few steps from North Fillmore Avenue or from North Cactus Avenue.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 13, 2024

2. The Bridge To Progress Marker

The Bridge To Progress image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 13, 2024

3. The Bridge To Progress

Photographed by Adam Margolis, January 13, 2024

4. The Bridge To Progress

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 1,731 times since then and 225 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2024, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.