Online & Radio News for Big Bear, CA
Big Bear Valley, CA, November 29, 2014 - In 1925, Walter Kruckman ran a bus line which serviced the San Bernardino Mountains. The Motor Transit Company had a franchise to the mountains which required them to operate a year-round bus service, even though they traveled empty in the winter months. Kruckman came up with the idea of developing public … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lake, CA, July 19, 2014 - Visitors to Big Bear often comment on how bright the stars are at night, and there’s a couple of reasons for that. Our altitude of over 6700 feet gives us excellent transparency, and the lack of many street lights keep the skies appropriately dark. Given those conditions, our mountain is the perfect place to … [Read more...]
Big Bear, CA, May 31, 2014 - As soon as Big Bear Lake was created by building the original 'Rock Dam' in 1885, tourists started visiting Bear Valley. In 1888, Gus Knight Jr. and John Metcalf purchased 80 acres on the south shore of the lake to build the valley's first resort, The Bear Valley Hotel. Despite the fact that it took two days by stage … [Read more...]
Big Bear, CA, April 26, 2014 - The first road into the San Bernardino Mountains, which was really just a trail, was built by the Mormons in 1852 and ascended Waterman Canyon. Big Bear Lake was created in 1885 and the only way up, other than a pack trail up Santa Ana Canyon, was a long arduous trip up Cushenbury Grade. To get to the Grade, visitors … [Read more...]
Big Bear, CA, March 15, 2014 - In 1848, gold was discovered in northern California which brought thousands of people to the state from all over the world. One of these people was Bill Holcomb who tried his luck up north, but quickly decided to head to southern California. He heard rumors of gold in Big Bear Valley, but wasn't sure … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lake, CA, March 12, 2014 - The last of four eagle censuses this winter was conducted on Saturday, with local biologists getting help from 57 volunteers. Observers spotted five bald eagles around Big Bear Lake during the one-hour count, including four adults and one juvenile. Juvenile eagles are the same size as the adults, but have a brown … [Read more...]
Big Bear, CA, February 22, 2014 - In July of 1911, a movie company from back east arrived at the new Pine Knot Lodge in Big Bear and began filming. That began a love affair between Hollywood and Big Bear that still continues. At about the same time, tourism started taking off in the valley, but only in the summer. During the … [Read more...]
Big Bear City, CA, February 16, 2014 - The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a new partnership this month between the County Museum and the Google Cultural Institute. Through their Art Project, the Institute will film and photograph various exhibits at the Museum, covering the cultural and natural heritage of the San Bernardino … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lake, CA, February 15, 2014 - Frank Brown and Hiram Barton rode into Big Bear Valley on horseback in May of 1883. They quickly concluded that if they built a dam at the narrow west end of the valley, they would create a lake five and a half miles long that could supply much needed water to thirsty communities down … [Read more...]
Big Bear City, CA January 25, 2014 - In 1916, Waldo Waterman, a pilot from Ontario, landed an aircraft in a field just east of Big Bear Lake, opening up a new era for the valley. In 1924 Waterman laid out Big Bear’s first airfield just east of the lake. He used a 5 seat, single engine plane to provide passenger service … [Read more...]
