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Historic Holcomb Valley

12
Feb 2012

After you have caught your limit of fish and taken advantage of the many recreational facilities in the immense area of Big Bear Valley, take a trip into the past and visit the nearby mining camps which reached their heyday more than 100 years ago.

There are good graded roads for passenger cars into these back country areas.  From these graded toads dirt trails go to even more remote sites which can, however only be reached by four-wheel drive vehicles.

A spectacular view of Big Bear Lake and the surrounding area can be seen from the connection between the Delamar Mountain Road which leaves Fawnskin and the Holcomb Valley Road.  This connection (usually called the Blue Quartz Road) is easily negotiated by passenger cars, but not recommended for large campers or trailers.

One of the most interesting passenger car junkets is through HolcombValley just north of Big Bear.  The trip is 12 miles and takes approximately three hours.  In their informative brochure, rangers of the San BernardinoNational Forest call this self-guided tour the “Gold Fever Trail.”

And gold fever it was that changed this small, peaceful valley from a scheduled home fo bear and deer into one of the most boisterous and rip-roaring mining camp of the Old West.  More than 50 murders were committed during its short span of 20 years.

It all started in 1860 when William ”Billy” Holcomb shot a grizzly in Bear Valley and then trailed the wounded animal over the mountain and into the valley which today bears his name.  While resting he picked up a piece of quartz.  It was laced with gold!

Within a few weeks there wasn’t a pack animal left in San Bernardino, the jumping-off place for the trail up the Santa Ana riverbed to HolcombValley.  And within two years there were an estimated 1500 prospectors jammed into the small valley.

A town soon grew on a rich flat near Holcomb’s original discovery site.  In addition to the many saloons, there was one store, two butcher shops, two laundries, one bakery, three carpenter shops, two blacksmiths, one stamp mill and one sawmill.

As in all early-day mining camps, the saloon was not just for drinking.  It was the social hall, courthouse, town meeting hall and a place to get the latest information on the latest strike, murder or robbery.

Mrs. Jed Van Dusen, wife of the blacksmith, made a flag from her petticoats for the town’s first Fourth of July so the sentimental miners named the new town Belleville in honor of her pretty daughter, Belle.

In the presidential election of 1860, Belleville cast 307 votes for Abraham Lincoln and missed by only two votes taking the county seat away from San Bernardino.

Belleville’s sister city was Clapboard Town whose great claim to fame is the Tree of the Living Cross which commemorated the fatal duel of two miners named Charlie the Chink and Greek George.

When Charlie accused Greek George of jumping his claim there was no peaceful way of settling the dispute.  A coin was flipped to see who would choose the type of weapons, Charlie won and picked the weapon of his ancestors- knives.  When the duel was over both men lay dead at the foot of a tree.  A cross was cut into the tree.

Unfortunately, the tree and the site of ClapboardTown are now within a restricted area and not open to the public.

Another notable tree, however, is still standing.  Hangmen’s Tree is a symbol of miner’s justice for it was from this stately juniper the citizens hanged many a murderer after a hasty trial.  When a victim of a hanging was cut down the branch from which he hung was chopped off.  So by counting the cuttings today you can tally the number of hangings.

These and many other stories and directions to the various historic sites are presented in the Forestry Services “Gold Fever Trail” brochure.  Before taking the trip, stop by the Big Bear Ranger Station near Fawnskin and pick up the brochure and the free map of the San Bernardino National Forest Area (Trail Map).

Then head for HolcombValley and a trip into the past when men’s lives- although sometimes short -were packed with adventure in their search for gold.

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Big Bear Road Conditions

23
Sep 2011

Highway 38 to Big Bear is Closed

Update, Monday Sept 26; Caltrans is pleased to announce that required repairs to State Route 38 are in the final stages today. The highway was damaged as the result of a fuel spill that released approximately 6,000 gallons of gasoline along the south shoulder of the highway on September 19th just north of Angelus Oaks. SR 38 will be open for all traffic before the morning commute at 5:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 27th. It is expected rehabilitation work will continue to occur in the dirt area of the National Forest on the south side of SR 38. Motorists should be aware of the presence of slow moving trucks and possible flagging operations.

The San Bernardino County Health Department has authorized the repopulation of Camp Cedar Falls with a bottled water restriction until drinking water samples return from testing. The Santa Ana Water Resource Board and San Bernardino County Health continue to monitor and test the camp’s water system.

Motorists are advised to slow down and yield to construction workers and vehicles that will be present on and off the roadway.

Friday, September 23; State Route 38 remains closed from Angelus Oaks to Jenks Lake Road West in the San Bernardino Mountains as a result of the traffic collision involving a fuel truck that released 6,000 gallons of gasoline along the south shoulder of the highway. Hazardous material contractor Double Barrel Environmental services has been utilizing heavy equipment and working around the clock to remove the contaminated soil.

Caltrans has an emergency contract in place and a contractor to begin the roadway restoration as soon as the scene is declared free of contaminants. Once the contractor is on scene and estimates can be made, an anticipated reopening date will be determined.

Motorists and visitors traveling to Big Bear and the National Forest need to use State Route 330 which is accessible from Interstate 210 in Highland, or use State Route 18 from either San Bernardino or Lucerne Valley. The Barton Flats recreation area can only be access from Big Bear. At this time, no forest roads, trails or recreations facilities have been closed as a result of the highway closure.

The incident is being managed by the California Highway Patrol under unified command with Caltrans, San Bernardino County Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service. The California Department of Fish and Game and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board agency representatives are on scene assisting with the incident.

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Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, part 1

17
Sep 2011

Community Market, Big Bear City CA

We found an early brochure describing Big Bear. It was written by the Big bear Chamber of Commerce.

High among the wooded ranges of the California Sierras lies the historic Big Bear Lake Country. Sheltered by the snow-capped peaks of Greyback (Mount San Gorgonio) 11,485 feet; San Bernardino and Sugarloaf, each over 10,000 feet; this picturesque panorama of forest, stream and lake offers traveler and vacation seeker the varied diversions of rest, recreation and pleasures of Nature’s playground.

Big Bear Lake, 7,000 feet above sea level and over seven miles long, is the largest to be found in the mountains of Southern California. Its shore line presents a variety of wild, natural beauty that has until the last few years been accessible only to the most venturesome. However, four splendid auto routes now lead direct to the hospitable hotels, lodges and camps that have been built among the bordering pines.

The California-bound overland traveler may now vary the monotony of his long trip with a stop-over in Big Bear Valley. Boating and fishing abound. Beautiful paths and trails winding among the towering pines and to commanding viewpoints invite horseman and hiker alike. These trips are full of unqualified delight to those who love the beauty of highland forest.

Housing accommodations range from the rustic cabin or housekeeping tent to the most modern hotel service. Garages and general stores carry dependable and complete stocks. Dancing pavilions, motion pictures and a score of other social diversions offer entertainment for the evening hours.

Resort Accommodations

Every facility for comfort and pleasure has been introduced to gratify young and old alike.

Hospitality is the watchword at Big Bear. The vacation seeker, whatsoever his tastes or means will find desirable accommodations.

There are lots of hotels and lodges conducted on the American plan, providing excellent quarters and delicious meals; camps with quaint log cabins and cozy canvas cottages or tents for housekeeping; and resorts operated on the European plan, where housekeeping may be carried on or meals may be procured at a central dining room. There are stores where supplies may be had at reasonable prices, a post office and long distance telephone service. Thoughtful, efficient service increases the pleasure of one’s stay at whatever resort he may choose.

Guests may procure excellent meals at the dining rooms of cafes in connection with many of the resorts, or they may get supplies from the numerous stores and prepare their own meals at housekeeping camps.

In fact, the management of all Big Bear Resorts have left no stone unturned that every detail of accommodation may be in keeping with the charm of the surroundings.

Canvas Tents for Camping

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Big Bear Lake is Southern California’s Best Oktoberfest

06
Sep 2011

Oktoberfest 41 - Big Bear Lake CA

This year the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest expands its bier garden for a more comfortable social area and enhances the entertainment lineup with more authentic entertainers and musicians than ever before. The additions and improvements continue to keep Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest rated Southern California’s #1 Oktoberfest, and at the forefront of top-ranked Oktoberfests in the nation. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest runs six and a half consecutive weekends, Saturday, September 17 to Saturday, October 29.

“Our Oktoberfest is the closest thing to the famous Bavarian festival in Germany,” said Monica Marini, managing director of The Convention Center at Big Bear Lake. “It’s located right in the heart of an alpine setting; we serve real German beer, real German strudel, and we even import a band from Germany.”

One of the major attractions that set Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest apart from other Southern California Oktoberfests is its engaging non-stop entertainment, wacky German antics and special contests. Back by popular demand is Die Mainfloesser Band direct from Germany. The band combines a unique blend of traditional German polkas and American pop music. The Express Band, Southern California’s premier German band performs the first two weekends and the final two weekends.

New on the entertainment bill is Die Trachten Verein Traunstoana, a dance group from Abtenau, Austria, performing traditional Austrian folk dances. Other authentic dance troupes performing customary dances include the Danube Swabain Dancers, Cripple Creek Cloggers and D’Oberlanders.

The Chicken Dance is the definitive favorite dance at Oktoberfest and always amusing. Every weekend expect to see a huge dance floor filled with hundreds of revelers clucking away to the Chicken Dance. Other fun amusement are the competitions and contests, which include log sawing, stein carrying, sausage eating, stein holding, safe slam beer chugging and limbo dancing. Children’s fun and games include pretzel eating contests, kiddy mug holding matches and Midway carnival-style games.

Family Fun

The main outside bier garden at the southeast wing expands this year to 3,100 square feet. It now has more accessible space and allows for a more festive social atmosphere. Sports fans are in for a treat with ample seating and big screen TVs perfect for watching college and pro football games, as well as the World Series playoffs. Also, Samson the Mechanical Bull ride is now closer to the bier garden giving easy access to this popular attraction. A secondary outside bier garden located near the north entrance also expands 200 square feet this year, doubling its size from last year.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an authentic Oktoberfest without real German food and real German beer! On tap this year is Warsteiner Pilsner, Warsteiner Dunkel, Warsteiner Oktoberfest and King Ludwig Hefeweizen. There is also a Jägermeister Happy Hour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Saturday of the festival. The food is as authentic as it gets, too. In fact, the bratwurst is bought from a German butcher in Los Angeles and strudel from a German bakery in Downey! Outside is The Budenstrasse (Avenue of the Booths), which provides a variety of arts and crafts vendors.

Big Bear’s Oktoberfest kicks off with American’s Hero weekend on Saturday, September 17 offering free admission for all past and present military, fire fighters and law enforcement. Opening festivities include a special tribute to all those that put their lives on the line protecting America’s freedoms.

The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest provides an excuse to enjoy a weekend away from the stress and obligations of everyday life in a beautiful alpine setting. It begins Saturday, September 17 and runs for six and a half consecutive weekends through Saturday, October 29, 2011. The weekend festivities takes place at The Convention Center of Big Bear Lake located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. The first two weekends (Sept. 17-18 & Sept. 24-25) general admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors (65+), and $6 for children 12 and under on Saturdays; and $5 for adults, $4 for seniors with children 12 and under FREE on Sundays. The next four and a half weekends (Oct. 1 to Oct. 29) general admission is $14 for adults, $11 for seniors (65+), and $8 for children 12 and under on Saturdays; and $7 for adults, $5 for seniors with children 12 and under FREE on Sundays.

For more details regarding online ticket savings, Burgermeister Party Packs, Kindermeister Party Packs (kid’s fun packs) and general information, log on to www.BigBearEvents.com or call (909) 585-3000. The Big Bear Lake Resort Association is offering a variety of Oktoberfest lodging packages for the run of the festival. To learn more about lodging packages visit www.BigBear.com or call 800-424-4232.

Video of Oktoberfest in Big Bear CA

More Oktoberfest;

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An Authentic Alpine Celebration

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Beer in Big Bear

06
Sep 2011

 

Bear Mountain Brewery

Big Bear Mountain Brewery

Did you know Big Bear has it’s own brewery? Located just west of the Village

MAP), this small brewery provides great hand crafted beers and a selection of food. It’s a small family style setting and the prices are great. We went on a Friday night and the Holcomb Valley Boys were playing music. It was a lot of fun.

The building is the old Masonic Temple building. It was built in 1925 by Bill Knickerbocker, the first Dam keeper.

Food is modestly priced from $6.95 to $10.95. Stop by for $2 Tuesdays for special chilidogs and $2 microbrews.

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