The Frankish Building: A Reflection of the Success of Ontario, California (Teaching with Historic Places)

This lesson is part of the National Park Service’s Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) program.

Standing proudly on the southwest corner of Euclid Avenue and Transit Street in Ontario, California, the three-story Frankish Building symbolizes the commercial and economic success of a California town. Like hundreds of similar buildings across the nation — in small towns and large — the building is locally significant because of its association with a prominent man of the community and because of its attractive architectural style. The unusually wide and sweeping main street — Euclid Avenue — was the creation of the town’s original founder, George Chaffey. Together, the building and its setting provide a visual reminder of the spirit of boosterism that swept across the nation in the late 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century.

Essential Question

Analyze how this local landmark came to symbolize the commercial prosperity of a western town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Objective

1. To evaluate the impact of the Chaffeys and Charles Frankish on Ontario, California, and compare their efforts with similarly important figures in their own community;
2. To understand the importance of irrigation in the settlement of Ontario, California;
3. To examine how buildings can be considered symbols of civic and individual pride;
4. To analyze the architectural merits of the Frankish Building;
5. To complete a Historic Resources Inventory of an important building in their own town.

Full Lesson Plan