- History:
- From Antiquity to the beginnings of industrialization: In ancient times, Saint-Fons was a passage between Vienna and Lyon. Around the year 1000, a hospital was built at the crossroads of Quatre Chemins, for the poor and pilgrims. In the 15th century, a post office was built. It will be the base for the future development of this part of the territory. From the 17th century, a mill and a few taverns take their place beside her. The lives of some people revolves around the activities related to the river near the Rhone. In the early 1800s, is a hamlet of Saint-Fons Vénissieux composed of a coaching horses and a few houses. Mottard family has the largest area: Cressonnière. Part of the land of the village belong to owners who let them in Vénissieux free grazing until 1832. At that time, the Hill of Bells was covered with vines, while a towpath along the shores of the Rhone. However, people develop craft activities (boat repair, tile, manufacture of dyes, etc.). As a basis for future industrialization. At the turn of the 19th century, the city of Lyon wants to polluting industries away from downtown and extended the limits of the department of Rhone to Vénissieux (March 24, 1852). Urbanization and industrial expansion in competition with the interests of elected Vénissieux, traditionally agricultural town.
- The location of the chemical industry: The family Perret develops a production of sulfuric acid and starts building a factory in 1853 at a place called "baseless". The proximity of Lyon, Rhone and the presence of the arrival of the railway track in 1855 confirm the choice of location in the hamlet. The hamlet of Saint-Fons gradually takes the appearance of a small mill town in 1860. The working population and urban village has very little in common with the rural population of the town of Venissieux. Sainfoniarde industry is growing rapidly.
- The secession of Vénissieux and the birth of the town: The increasing industrialization and urbanization (3000 inhabitants in the 1870s) transformed the rural hamlet that was Saint-Fons. The idea of making an autonomous municipality germ in many notables. Since 1873, local manufacturers and part of the population want to transform their village into town for various reasons: distance from the center of Venissieux, growing population, own financial resources, etc.. The claims of independence are expressed in a Trade Union Commission representing the entire population of the hamlet. The commission tries to escape the authority of the City Council Vénissieux who strongly opposed. But the notable sainfoniards obtained through their political support, a favorable position of the Prefect and the General Council on separation. This took the form of a law, presented October 21, 1886, the House of Deputies in Paris (now the National Assembly). Adopted March 27, 1888 and signed by Sadi Carnot, President of the Republic, this law authorizes the election of the first mayor, Prosper Monnet, May 20, 1888. Prosper Monnet is a Republican, he founded the Chemical Society of plants of the Rhone. If he resigns after 17 months in office, his action on the development of the City was decisive. The lives of workers is difficult, the city itself the goal of relieving their daily offering of municipal services nearby.
- An industrial development and population growth continued in the 20th century: with its official birth, Saint-Fons continues to grow, driven by the introduction of new plants (such as Ciba, Rhone-Poulenc, etc..) And the construction of housing for workers. The City is an area known for the production of dyes, chemicals and aspirin. If Saint-Fons experiencing significant economic growth, it leads to very difficult working conditions for workers. The Sainfoniards could, however, entertainment in the many taverns that lined the banks of the Rhone. Since the City has continued to grow to occupy a pivotal position at the south entrance of Lyon. Today, the entire territory of the municipality is urbanized and its development through the renewal of its urban fabric.
