Big Bear, CA, June 14, 2014 - In the summer of 1927, Big Bear had a parade celebrating its history that went right down Pine Knot Blvd. Local Big Bear historians think this may have been the true beginning of Old Miners Days. This year marks 65 years of Old Miners Days, Big Bear's longest running community event. Back in the early days through the late 1980s, Old Miners Days … [Read more...] about Old Miners Days has Rich History
Off the Beaten Path
Mistletoe: Parasite & Provider
San Bernardino Mountains, CA, June 7, 2014 - According to an old Scandinavian Christmas custom, a couple who meets under hanging mistletoe is obliged to kiss. But mistletoe's function in the forest is actually less romantic: as a parasite, it attaches to the branches of a host tree or shrub, and absorbs water and nutrients from the host plant. There are six different species … [Read more...] about Mistletoe: Parasite & Provider
Remnants of History: God’s Eye
Baldwin Lake, CA, May 31, 2014 - When the Serrano Indians used local mountains as a summer residence between 2,000 and 2,500 years ago, they were known as The People of the Pines. They were skilled basket weavers and pottery makers, and they worshipped a huge dome of brilliant white quartz as the eye of their creator, “Kruktat”, calling it “God’s Eye”. It was perched above … [Read more...] about Remnants of History: God’s Eye
Resort Life… in Turn of the Century Big Bear
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 and burro train to reach the … [Read more...] about Resort Life… in Turn of the Century Big Bear
Santa’s Village: First in the Country
San Bernardino Mountains, CA, May 17, 2014 - When Santa's Village opened it's doors in 1955 in Skyforest, it was the first franchised theme park in the country, beating Disneyland's opening by more than a month. It was the first of three Santa's Villages built by developer Glenn Holland. In it's heyday, it was one of Southern California's biggest tourist attractions drawing … [Read more...] about Santa’s Village: First in the Country