| Century 21 Bill Baker Realty, Inc. 31977 Hilltop Blvd, P.O. Box 2267 Running Springs, CA 92382 (909) 867-2711 - Office (909)867-2199 - Fax |
| 50 years in Real Estate Says It All! |
| The History of Running Springs |
Our mountain communities trace their origin back to the 1890’s when our pineries began to be
harvested
for their lumber. Lumbermen were the first settlers in our region. Early wagon trails, using ox carts,
gave
way to roughly graded roads c.1892 The path from the San Bernardino Valley to the lumber mill was
developed with private monies and followed the east branch of City Creek, now Highway 330. The
original
purpose of this route was to transport equipment and supplies to the mill site, and to carry sawn
lumber
back to the valley. This lumber supported the initial construction of San Bernardino, Highland and
Redlands, as well as providing material for orange crates needed by the emerging Southern
California
citrus industry. An extensive narrow gauge railroad was in use c.1900 to haul felled trees to the mill.
The City Creek wagon road was extended from the mill site c.1892 through Hunsaker Flats (Running
Springs), Deer Lick/Arrowbear and Big Green Valley (Green Valley Lake) to move passengers to
freight
to the gold mining and resort activities at the eastern end of our mountain range. Way stations along
this
route formed the nucleus of our present day communities.
Our mountain resort theme became popular c.1895. The first noted park/camp was developed near
Brookings Mill in the area now known as Smiley Park or Fredalba. With the decline of the local
lumber
industry c.1912, attempts were made to use our area for cattle and sheep grazing. Forest Service
restrictions and increasing land use for resorts and camps made grazing a difficult venture. Our
well-known
ski resort,
Snow Valley; had its beginnings c.1937 and was developed from a sportsman area called Fish
Creek.
Within recent years downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and summer recreation have been
developed in
the Green Valley Lake area.
Rim of the World Drive was indemnified c.1915 and carried traffic west to the Little Bear Valley (Lake
Arrowhead) and Crestline areas. East bound traffic was able to use the newly constructed road that
followed the Deep Creek cut-off through the "Artic Circle" route c.1923. This roadway is now known
as
Highway 18. Both Arrowbear and Green Valley had dams built across their creeks c.1925 and were
then
able to add "Lake" to their names. The San Bernardino National Forest was created in 1925 by a
geographical split of the Angeles National Forest in order to effect better management of this vast
natural
asset.
Modern development of our areas began c.1924 when real estate sub-divisions and commercial
sites
were identified and founded. Gradual improvements from our early sawdust, grazing, camp/resort
and
cross-road eras have made us an outstanding residential, business and resort locale. Today we all
share
the advantages of a non-hurried semi-rural life, but still retain the urban benefits offered by our
proximity to
San Bernardino, Highland and Redlands. These cities provide extensive shopping and employment
opportunities for our townspeople. We further enjoy the ageless, natural beauty presented by our
National
Forest setting.
Running Springs Today!
Today Running Springs, Green Valley Lake and Arrowbear still offer beautiful and unique mountain
resort
area to vacation, just visit or become a full time resident. Situated in the middle of the San
Bernardino
National Forest our quaint and unincorporated communities are described as the "gateway to the
Mountain Communities".
harvested
for their lumber. Lumbermen were the first settlers in our region. Early wagon trails, using ox carts,
gave
way to roughly graded roads c.1892 The path from the San Bernardino Valley to the lumber mill was
developed with private monies and followed the east branch of City Creek, now Highway 330. The
original
purpose of this route was to transport equipment and supplies to the mill site, and to carry sawn
lumber
back to the valley. This lumber supported the initial construction of San Bernardino, Highland and
Redlands, as well as providing material for orange crates needed by the emerging Southern
California
citrus industry. An extensive narrow gauge railroad was in use c.1900 to haul felled trees to the mill.
The City Creek wagon road was extended from the mill site c.1892 through Hunsaker Flats (Running
Springs), Deer Lick/Arrowbear and Big Green Valley (Green Valley Lake) to move passengers to
freight
to the gold mining and resort activities at the eastern end of our mountain range. Way stations along
this
route formed the nucleus of our present day communities.
Our mountain resort theme became popular c.1895. The first noted park/camp was developed near
Brookings Mill in the area now known as Smiley Park or Fredalba. With the decline of the local
lumber
industry c.1912, attempts were made to use our area for cattle and sheep grazing. Forest Service
restrictions and increasing land use for resorts and camps made grazing a difficult venture. Our
well-known
ski resort,
Snow Valley; had its beginnings c.1937 and was developed from a sportsman area called Fish
Creek.
Within recent years downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and summer recreation have been
developed in
the Green Valley Lake area.
Rim of the World Drive was indemnified c.1915 and carried traffic west to the Little Bear Valley (Lake
Arrowhead) and Crestline areas. East bound traffic was able to use the newly constructed road that
followed the Deep Creek cut-off through the "Artic Circle" route c.1923. This roadway is now known
as
Highway 18. Both Arrowbear and Green Valley had dams built across their creeks c.1925 and were
then
able to add "Lake" to their names. The San Bernardino National Forest was created in 1925 by a
geographical split of the Angeles National Forest in order to effect better management of this vast
natural
asset.
Modern development of our areas began c.1924 when real estate sub-divisions and commercial
sites
were identified and founded. Gradual improvements from our early sawdust, grazing, camp/resort
and
cross-road eras have made us an outstanding residential, business and resort locale. Today we all
share
the advantages of a non-hurried semi-rural life, but still retain the urban benefits offered by our
proximity to
San Bernardino, Highland and Redlands. These cities provide extensive shopping and employment
opportunities for our townspeople. We further enjoy the ageless, natural beauty presented by our
National
Forest setting.
Running Springs Today!
Today Running Springs, Green Valley Lake and Arrowbear still offer beautiful and unique mountain
resort
area to vacation, just visit or become a full time resident. Situated in the middle of the San
Bernardino
National Forest our quaint and unincorporated communities are described as the "gateway to the
Mountain Communities".
