Big Bear California
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Big Bear Lake is located in California. It’s in San Bernardino county and according to the 2000 census there were a little over 5,400 residents. This city is a resort spot in Southern California that is surrounded by a National Forest.
History
For a long time Big Bear was referred to as Yuhaviat. The Serrano Indians who first lived in the area named it Yuhaviat and for thousands of years it was called that until 1845.
In 1845 Benjamin Davis Wilson along with 20 men rode to Yuhaviat. The Indians who lived in Yuhaviat were raiding ranches and the men were going to solve the problem. When they arrived to Yuhaviat they were greeted by many bear. The men split into two groups with the goal of catching bears. They caught eleven bears which gave Wilson the idea to rename the area Big Bear.
In 1861 Big Bear’s population grew due to the gold rush. The gold rush lasted until 1912 and at that time grizzly bears were no longer inhabiting the area. However, the name stuck.
Big Bear was the first mountain resort area for Southern California. The lake was a popular spot to travel too but also in the area is a hot spring. Emile Jessrun bought land in Big Bear Valley that had the hot spring within the borders. In 1921, he built a resort on the land and named in Pan Hot Springs Hotel. After this was built many others started to build resorts around Big Bear Lake as well. However in 1933, when a large fire started in the area many of the resorts in the area received massive damage.
Big Bear Lake was also used as place settings in movies and for huge events. The 1920 version of “Last of the Mohicans” was filmed at Big Bear. In 1969 part of the movie “Paint Your Wagon Here” was shot at Big Bear as well. In 1970 Oktoberfest was held at Big Bear Lake and has been done every year since.
Weather
Big Bear has the perfect weather for each season. Not only is it great summer weather but with winter comes snow and snow sports. Summer temperatures range between 45-80 degrees. It is warmer during the day and cools down at night. It’s a great time for summer activities on the lake. Winter season ranges between 15-55 degrees. Days can possibly reach 55 degrees and nights get chilly. On average Big Bear receives 120 inches of snow. Each year Big Bear averages 300 days of sunshine.
San Bernardino National Forest
Over 100 years ago the San Bernardino National Forest was dedicated. Once home to the Serrano Indians the Forest was filled with lush forests and wildlife. At the beginning of the 19th century settlers started to inhabit the area.
In 1855 gold was discovered on the mountains and by the time the century progressed the area was dependent on mining and logging. The land started to lose all of it’s trees and the wildlife was killed off or migrated out of the borders of Big Bear. As the 20th approached large acres of land had been depleted of trees and were barren. People began to realize the need to protect the area. Irrigating began as the citrus industry started.
The Board of Forestry saw the need to protect the area and the Forest Reserve Act was drawn up in 1886 and passed in 1891. In 1893 the National Forest was dedicated and became the San Bernardino National Forest in 1907. Land was set aside for preservation and areas were marked for saving trees, minerals, wildlife and other parts for minerals, livestock range and recreation.