History
When
the Spaniards arrived, they found the mountains inhabited
by the Serranos and the Cahuillas. The Serranos lived
near Arrowhead Springs, revered for its medicinal properties,
and Rock Camp, three miles north of Lake Arrowhead. Archeologists
believe Rock Camp was a seasonal camp, used by the Serranos
for 500 years.
The
Mormons in San Bernardino, looked to the mountains to
satisfy their growing need for lumber. They built Waterman
Canyon Road and serious logging began. Fortunately, on
February 25, 1893, President Benjamin Harrison created
the San Bernardino Forest Preserve, comprising 737, 280
arces. With control turned over to the Forest Service,
logging regulations prevented the forest from being clear
cut.
The
Arrowhead Reservior Company began work on a Dam in 1893,
in order to supply water to San Bernardino. The President
of the company was James Morris Gamble of Procter and
Gamble. Legal issues caused the project to be abandoned
even though it was 80% complete. The Hesperia Land and
Water Company had filed suit and the court ruled that
water could not be diverted from one watershed to another. |
The
area, known as Little Bear Valley, was purchased by a
group of Los Angeles businessmen in 1921. This group
included
J.V. Van Nuys and John O’Mevenly. They renamed
the valley after the large arrowhead shape visible on
the south
face of the mountain range. Their plan was to build
a fine residential and recreational area around the lake.
They built a Norman style village and some of the lake
side land was subdivided, developed and sold. The group
incurred financial difficulties as interest in the project
diminished. In 1946, the Los Angeles Turf Club (owners
of the Santa Anita Race Track) bought the lake and the
development. |
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1893 –San Bernardino Forest Preserve
created by President Benjamin Harrison (Feb 25) 737,280
acres
1894- Tunnel 1 for Arrowhead Reservoir finished
1895- Fredalba area bougt for development by Albert & Alfred
Smiley
1896- Cropely stage makes 3 runs a week
1901- Locomobile driven up City Creek to Fredalba and over
to Arrowhead Reservoir. Driven by Dr. C.A. Sanborn and F.E.
Olds of San Bernardino.
1902- Hesperia Land and Water Company filed suit, stating
Arrowhead Reservoir Company was diverting water.
1904- work begins on Dam
1906- Three rail incline built from Waterman Canyon to Skyland,
Dr. John Baylis starts Pinecrest Resort.
1909- Automobiles began traveling the Arrowhead Road regularly
1911- Arrowhead Reservoir hydro-electric generators provided
electricity for camps, nearly 13,000 acres burn in fire.
1914- Crest Highway completed.
1919- Little Bear Resort- 150 bed hotel with dance pavilion
attracts scores of visitors.
1921- Arrowhead Reservoir and Power Co. purchased by Los
Angeles group, renamed Arrowhead Lake Co. Leveled Little
Bear Lake Resort, rebuild in Norman style. Included dance
pavilion, bath house and Village Inn. Nine hole golf course
built in Grass Valley. Arrowhead Dam completed with road
across the top.
1922- Lake Arrowhead Village opens.
1923- Arlington Lodge opened. North Shore Tavern offers amenities
including tennis, stables, sailboats along with luxury accommodations.
1924- Camp Seeley is run by City of Los Angeles, Crestline
Tavern attracts lots of patrons, Mary Putnam Henck starts
first elementary school.
1926- San Moritz Club opens on Moon Lake in Crestline1928-
Rim of the World Drive starts to be repaved and upgraded.
1930- Snow Valley starts to be developed
1938- March, 34 ½ inches of precipitation fills lake
in 72 hours. San Moritz Club built on east shore of Lake
Gregory
1941- Snow Valley purchased by John Elvrum, champion skier,
major recreation area for armed forces during WWII.
1946- Arrowhead Lake Company hits financial difficulties,
purchased by L.A. Turf Club for $2 million. Village sees
new additions for businesses.
1948- First chairlift at Snow Valley. |
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