Big Bear Cabin Blogs » History

Pacific Crest Trail Hiking Tour and History

Editor — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:07:06 +0000

Here is a great chance to see a section of the beautiful Pacific Crest Trail.

The PCT as it’s called by enthusiasts is a 2, 650mile trail stretching from Mexico through three western states all the way to Canada!

On this hike, led by a naturalist from the valley, you will learn about the natural history of the area.

The hike is suitable for beginning hikers all the way to experts. So bring the whole family. Starting at 9 and continuing through 2pm, there is a gourmet lunch included and they’ll even get you there.

Just show up to the Discovery Center about 8:45 and you will be on your way to the natural beauty of the PCT that has been enjoyed by many!

The hike is limited to only 12 people and costs $30 for each person ages 10 and up. Reservations are required just call (909) 382-2790 or (909) 866-3437 for reservations.

Thousands of hikers and equestrians take on this quest each year. Some will only travel a few miles, while others complete the entire 2,650 miles in just one season!

The route was first explored in the late 1930s by teams of young men from the YMCA. Once proven usable, trail pioneers Clinton Clarke and Warren Rogers asked the federal government to secure a border-to-border trail passage.

They were unable to get the entire trail linked and had to settle for several disconnected trails along the crest of each state.

Mostly through the efforts of hikers and equestrians, the PCT was eventually designated one of the first scenic trails in the National Trails System authorized by Congress in 1968, and was dedicated in 1993.

A history of the Big Bear Dam

Editor — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:23:31 +0000

The first historical dam of Big Bear was constructed by Frank E. Brown and E.G. Judson. They were looking for a new water source for their newly developed agricultural community: the town of Redlands.

In 1879, they looked toward the mountains for this additional water. 4 years later in 1883 he organized the Bear Valley Land and Water Company, purchased the necessary land, and in the summer of 1883 began construction of an ashlar rock dam.

This dam was completed in December of 1884. It was 60 feet high and 300 feet wide and contained 3304 yards of rockwork and 1600 barrels of cement. The total cost for labor and materials was $68,000.

At that time, the Bear Valley Dam created the largest man-made lake in the world, and was also considered the Eighth Wonder of the World because it held!
In 1911, J.S. Eastwood built the present multiple-arch dam, which tripled the capacity of the lake to 73,000 acre-feet. This dam was twenty feet higher and cost $138,000 to construct. This 1911 dam was reinforced in 1988 to comply with increased earthquake safety standards at a cost of nearly $13,000,000!

The Big Bear Queen Tour, the best history lesson on Big Bear Lake

Editor — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:33:27 +0000

The skipper of the Big Bear Queen, Chris, has lived in Big Bear his entire life. His Grandfather moved to Big Bear in 1924.

When you take a tour on the Big Bear Queen you get the history of Big Bear all the way prior to the developement of the man made lake through to the present day.

The history of the cattle ranching days before the first dam was built then proceeds to tell the story of the people and purposes they had in making Big Bear Valley into what it is today.

The history includes the early pioneer gold mining operations, the first dam placement to make the lake for irrigation in Redlands, the speak-easy days, early cabins and vacation spots of the lake’s builders, etc.

Many celebrities have lived and vacationed around the lake, part of the tour points many of their properties out. New lakefront construction goes on to this day, the information is so detailed that they even tell you how much they cost as well as the square footage of each. In short, this is the best history lesson you will ever receive for a mere $15 price tag.

The 2pm tour is guaranteed to run each day during the summer. This is the only tour in Big Bear to do this. Other tours at 12pm and 4pm may be available.

The Big Bear Queen is a smaller boat and can get much closer to the shoreline, not to mention the tour is also $5 cheaper.

We recommend wearing long pants and a wind breaker, even on sunny days, the wind from the lake can make for a chilly experience at times. Layer your clothes for optimum comfort.

The Local History Of Big Bear

Editor — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:30:41 +0000

Visitors to Big Bear should consider making a stop at the Big BearValley Historical Museum. The museum showcases numerous exhibits from Native American’s to the Gold Rush, Early Cattle Ranching including an Authentic Chuck Wagon, Working Blacksmiths. The kids can even pan for pyrite in the gold panning area.

An 1875 cabin that is the oldest standing structure in the valley is on display. The Doble Schoolhouse built in 1906 is also on display. A fully restored working stamp mill, buggies, local pioneer artifacts, glassware and countless items are exhibited for all who wish to look into the past.

All the cabins are authentic period artifacts with docents happy to inform you about their history.

The Museum is owned and operated by the Big Bear Valley Historical Society, manned by an all volunteer staff and is a nonprofit organization.

The Museum doors opened in 1982, there have been many renewals and historical donations in the past few years.

Open from Memorial Day in May to the first Sunday in October, located at 800 Greenway in Big Bear City, across from the east end of the airport runway.

Days open are Weds, Sat, Sundays & Holiday Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. There is a $3.00 donation required for Adults over 14 years. Kids 14 and under are free with paying adult admission.

Phone (909) 585-8100

History of Big Bear…

Editor — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:25:31 +0000

Today Big Bear Lake is Southern California’s most popular mountain resort, providing all season recreation for millions of people annually. Surrounded by a vast pine forest, this spectacular mountain top valley is often called an Island in the Sky, and many have chosen to make their permanent homes in this special place.

The wonder of this high country has been known for ages, as the Serrono Indians came here some 2,500 yrs. ago. Serranos are the Shoshone tribe and are thought to have come from Wind River area of Wyoming. Their original name for Big Bear was Yuhaviat, meaning “pine place”.

The Spanish called these Shoshone, “Serranos”, meaning mountaineer. For centuries, Bear Valley was a favorite hunting and food gathering source for these peace loving people.

After the Indians, there have been trappers, prospectors, miners, road contractors, cattlemen, lumbermen, dam builders, resort developers, foxfarmers, movie makers, sub-dividers, and ski area creators.

Modern History began on a warm day in mid-July of 1845, when Benjamen D. Wilson led a party of 22 hard riding Californians down through the pines into a lush meadow ringed by mountains. They were the first civilized men to ever visit this beautiful valley which seemed alive with bear. Wilson was quick to name it and a nearby lake after the giant Grizzlies that were so profuse.

Hope you enjoyed some of the historyon Big Bear.

Good Day to all

Sally:)

Big Bear Valley Historical Museum

Editor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:29:37 +0000

The Big Bear Valley…
No trip to Big Bear Valley is complete without a visit to the Big Bear Valley Historical Museum.
Here the exciting and Romantic History of this fascinating high mountain country is preserved by numerous exhibits that include the Indian period to the present time.

Many additional new displays keep the museum changing and growing with each passing season. The Museum is the most affordable family destination in the Big Bear Valley. A required minimum donation is just $3.00 per adult. Children 14 and under are free. They have guide visitors to assist you with your questions about the facility.

There’s also a gift shop that offers many unique souvenirs, post cards, and historical books at the modest prices!!

A little History on the Museum: Peter Pan Woodland Club, D.P. Terry of Beverly Hills, a. were asked to build a store at the site of the present Community Services District offices. This was finally completed about 1929, and was leased to several merchants who are unknown. In the early 1930′s Frank and Freda Jakobi bought the store and ran it as the Big Bear Community Market. Now there is a new Community Market off of Greenway and Big Bear Blvd., which was built in 1940. Following years of intensive work and preparation, a dedication ceremony was held for the new Museum on June 12, 1982. Since then the museum has been open to the public each year from the end of May to early October!

So just a little History on history of our little unique museum that will soon be reopened!!

The history of Big Bear never seems to amaze me, there is so much to learn in this town, that everyday I’m still learning about the facts of this gorgeous town! I have lived up here for approxmately 17yrs, off and on and until this day I retrieve a little more of Big Bear!

Wow, the life up here is a beauty, I couldn’t of asked for more!!!

What Is St. Patrick’s Day?

Editor — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:06:28 +0000

St. Patrick’s Day is a religious feast day observed on the anniversary of his death, March 17. St. Patrick’s Day falls during the Christian season of Lent which prohibits the consumption of meat. Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon, the prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and the people would dance, drink, and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. Up until the 1970′s Irish laws prohibited pubs across Ireland from opening on March 17 due to the quite dignity of the holy day.

The United States is the home to the very first St. Patrick’s Day Parade when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through the streets of New York City on March 17, 1762. This parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army. Through the next thirty-five years Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, which prompted the rise of “Irish Aid” societies that would hold annual parades. In 1848 several New York Irish aid societies united their parades to form one New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. That parade is held to this day and is the world’s oldest civilian parade as well as being the largest held in the United States. President Truman attended the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City in 1948, this was a proud moment for many Irish Americans whose ancestors fought stereotypes and racial prejudice to be accepted in America.

In 1962, two hundred years after the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Chicago pollution-control workers used green dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges. They realized that this might provide a unique way to celebrate the holiday. That year they poured 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river, this was enough to keep the river green for a week. Today they only use 40 pounds of dye which will keep it green for only a few hours.

About St. Patrick

Editor — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:03:09 +0000

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!!

One of Christianity’s most widely known figures is St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was not actually Irish he was born to a wealthy British family near the end of the fourth century. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 the day that St.. Patrick is believed to have died in 460 A.D. For over 1000 years the Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday.

At the age of 16 Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders that attacked his family’s estate. He was transported to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. While in being held prisoner he worked as a shephard, outdoors and away from people. He became a devote Christian while lonely and afraid he had turned to his religion for solace.

Patrick escaped captivity, when according to his writings, a voice-that he believed to be God’s-spoke to him in a dream. The voice told him that it was time for him to leave Ireland. After escaping Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the coast of Ireland. Once back in Britain, Patrick had a dream in which an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick then began religious training that lasted for 15 years. Once he was ordained as a pries he was sent to Ireland to minister to Christians already in Ireland and to convert the rest of the Irish.

Patrick chose to incorporate some traditional Celtic rituals, honoring their gods with fire, into his lessons. Patrick created the Celtic cross by superimposing a son onto the Christian cross. He did this so that veneration of the symbol would feel more natural to the Irish because the sun was a powerful Irish symbol. Although there was a small number of Christians already on the island most of the Irish practiced a nature-based pagan religion. About two hundred years after the arrival of St.. Patrick Ireland was completely Christianized with the predominant religion being Catholic.

Banishing Of The Snakes

Editor — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:24:45 +0000

It has long been believed that during his mission in Ireland St. Patrick stood on a hilltop, now known as Croagh Patrick, and with only a wooden staff at his side banished all the snakes from Ireland.

When in fact the island nation of Ireland never was home to any snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” was in reality a metaphor for the removal of pagan ideology and the triumph of Christianity in Ireland. Two hundred years after Patrick’s arrival the people of Ireland were completely Christianized, with St. Patrick being largely responsible for Catholicism being the most dominant religion in Ireland.

Valentine’s Day History

Editor — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Click the Image below to learn the history of Valentine’s Day……

Be patient, this link will take a little time to load, once loaded you will have your choices to the right to choose a variety of information pertaining to Valentine’s Day History.

Enjoy With Our Compliments….

Big Bear Cabin Blogs » History

Pacific Crest Trail Hiking Tour and History

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A history of the Big Bear Dam

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The Big Bear Queen Tour, the best history lesson on Big Bear Lake

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The Local History Of Big Bear

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History of Big Bear…

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Big Bear Valley Historical Museum

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What Is St. Patrick’s Day?

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About St. Patrick

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Banishing Of The Snakes

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Valentine’s Day History

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