Emails from readers after my Sept. 28 column on Norconians, Fontanans, Redlanders and all the other interesting names for Inland Empire residents, inspired by my reading of the new book “The Norconian Resort” …
From Kerry Zane: And don’t forget, John. The proper term to use to refer to a citizen of Colton (that you can print!) is ‘Coltonite’; has been for over 40 years. Is the nickname still “The Hub City”, I wonder? Or is it “The Hubbs City”? And can you get on the bandwagon and persuade Colton to honor some of its heroes, like Virgil Earp, Medal of Honor recipient Rodolfo Hernandez, composer Jimmy Webb (CHS Class of 64), musician Jim Messina (CHS Class of 65), or actor Gene Evans?
From Brad Billings: Hello – I enjoyed your article on Norconian, etc. Were you aware that Huell Howser recently did a piece on Norconian… very interesting, you might check it out. Brad Billings
From Gerry Brassfield: Berdoo-ites? San Berdoo-ites? Did you leave out Del Rosa and the Del Rosians or Del Rose-ites on purpose? There is a community in the north end that used to be known as Arrowhead Farms, so you HAVE to call them Arrowhead Farmers. Don’t leave out people from Verdemont…I have no idea what they could be called.
From Judithanne Westrope: Altho I live in SB these days, I not only lived in Norco for about nine years, I was also BORN there. In those days, the “Norconian” was Corona Naval Hospital. Since then, it has become a prison (or at least part of it). Norco has undergone many changes recently. Many not for the good, such as too many houses sold to yuppies. I still like it better than SB.
