Preston's Garage was in the Village at the Starbucks location.
Race Against Nature
It is not possible to close these pages without a mention of a leading citizen and a great race; a race against both time and nature.
The automobile men of Los Angeles put it on as advertising in cooperation with Pine Knot Lodge, with a cup offered to the first car to reach the Lodge in the Spring via Mill Creek Road and the Clarke Grade. The snow was heavy in ’14.
Pine Knot Lodge in the Village of Big Bear Lake
After all of the noise about several cars entering, it dwindled down to three cars of three men each. Two from L.A. and Jack Preston from Victorville. No starting time was set, every team watched the weather, and all hit the road about the same time. The Mill Creek had melted and it was not too bad over Glen Martin, so the river was crossed and the first car at length reached Panorama Cut. This was a test; snow ten feet deep. All cars finally made it but days had elapsed and men were tired. In shouting distance of each other, a truce was declared, walking down the river and up to Seven Oaks, where hot food and a bed put more life in the crowd.
Cabin at Seven Oaks
The next day they were on the mountain in rivalry and no more friendship. Getting into the timber near the top, the going was tough enough to send them all home. Days went by; little progress. Beans and coffee were a poor diet.
Each team worked as a group and each man had his duties. One went ahead to the nearest tree in line with a hidden road and putting a rope around the same, he attached a block and tackle. Through this came a rope attached to the front axle with the other end around a capstan on a rear wheel and held by a second man; the third man was the driver. The car advanced slowly a few feet and reaching the tree, another tree must be selected. So a zigzag course of miles were covered.
Shay Road with Old Car
But now, though in rain and sleet, the down grade helped, but somewhere below Riverside Playground, the storm was just too much and Preston in the lead drained his engine and started for the Lodge afoot. So did the others and they reached there together. Hot grub and drink were good.
But the race was not finished. Before daylight, Jack’s three raised the window, dropped out and beat it back to Ford’s masterpiece, in an attempt to pull a fast one, but the others were tipped off by the help and soon the race was on again.
Preston brought his Model T in first and so won the two and a half-thousand dollar cup; an ordeal few strong men would care to duplicate.
Mill Creek road went over Clarke's Grade.
