Big Bear Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located in the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California. Surrounded by tall pines and scenic mountain peaks, this popular recreation destination attracts over 6 million visitors per year. But how was this majestic lake first discovered?
The Early Exploration of Big Bear Valley
The Big Bear Valley where the lake is situated was originally inhabited by Native American tribes including the Serrano and Cahuilla peoples. They referred to the area as “Yuhaviat” which meant “pine place” in their native language. The tribes lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, taking advantage of the valley’s plentiful pine nuts, acorns, berries, plants and wildlife.
It wasn’t until 1845 that the first Europeans explored the Big Bear area. Benjamin Wilson, the first American mayor of Los Angeles, led an expedition into the San Bernardino Mountains in search of cattle straying from his ranch. His party became the first white men to gaze upon Big Bear Lake and the lush Big Bear Valley.
Wilson was so impressed by the sizeable grizzly bears residing near the lake that he coined the name “Bear Valley.” Over the next decades, fur trappers, prospectors and adventurers visited Big Bear Valley but it remained largely wilderness.
The Gold Rush Sparks Interest in Big Bear
The California Gold Rush beginning in 1848 brought an influx of people into Southern California. With the promise of riches, miners combed the mountains looking for gold. In 1856, prospectors discovered gold in Holcomb Valley north of Big Bear Lake. The Holcomb Valley Gold Rush was on.
Mining camps popped up around Big Bear Lake to provide timber, food and supplies to the miners in Holcomb Valley. Grizzly bears were hunted extensively to protect the mining camps. Settlers began growing crops and raising livestock to feed the growing population. Big Bear Lake became a hub of activity thanks to the gold.
How Did Big Bear Lake Get its Name?
During the mining boom, Big Bear Lake was initially called Bear Lake. But why was “Big” later added to the name? According to local legend, there are two possible origins:
- In the 1860s, a huge grizzly bear weighing over 2,000 pounds was killed near the lake. The monstrous bear was nicknamed “Big Bear” and the lake later took on the name.
- In 1866, heavy rains caused the lake to flood significantly, greatly expanding its size. The lake was nicknamed “Big Bear Lake” in reference to the much larger water body.
Whatever its origins, the name Big Bear Lake was in standard usage by the late 1860s. The discovery of gold put Big Bear on the map, but it was the giant grizzlies and the lake’s stunning natural beauty that inspired its memorable name.
Big Bear Lake is Promoted as a Tourist Destination
By the early 1900s, the Holcomb Valley gold mines were playing out. With mining on the decline, the city of Redlands began promoting Big Bear Lake as a tourist destination. Wealthy families from Redlands built the first vacation cabins along the lakeshore. Transportation to Big Bear was improved with the opening of the Bear Valley Toll Road in 1912.
In 1912, a dam was constructed on the lake’s southwestern edge to increase water storage for irrigation. This raised the lake’s water level by 12 feet, increasing its surface area to around 3,000 acres. The expanded Big Bear Lake with its scenic pine-covered shores drew tourists from across Southern California. The lake was touted as “the Alps of Southern California.”
The Discovery of Big Bear Solar Observatory
The unique climate and atmospheric conditions around Big Bear Lake have attracted an important scientific facility – Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). Located on the north shore, BBSO was established in 1969 as a research observatory dedicated to the study of the sun. Some key discoveries include:
- Providing the first images of sunspot penumbrae in 1970.
- The discovery of five-minute oscillations in the sun’s photosphere in 1975.
- The first magneto-hydrodynamic images of the solar surface in 1985.
The clear skies and stable air above Big Bear Lake allows BBSO to produce some of the highest resolution images of the sun from ground-based telescopes. Big Bear’s wilderness has led to significant advancements in solar science and physics.
Modern Recreation Destination
Today, Big Bear Lake has evolved into one of the most popular alpine recreation lakes in California. In summer, visitors flock to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. In winter, snow transforms Big Bear into a skiing and snowboarding paradise with abundant powder.
Big Bear Lake is closely tied to skiing in Southern California. In 1952, a ski resort opened on the north shore of the lake. This resort evolved into the modern-day Snow Summit and Bear Mountain ski areas, which draw over 750,000 annual visitors for world-class skiing and snowboarding.
Conclusion
From Native American origins to Gold Rush boomtown to present-day tourism hotspot, Big Bear Lake has a rich and storied past. Its natural splendor – massive lake, pine forest vistas and fresh mountain air – were obvious draws from the earliest days of exploration. But it took bold pioneers, chance gold discoveries and clever marketing to transform this wilderness area into a thriving recreation destination. Next time you paddle across the placid water or cruise down a groomed ski slope, think about the fascinating history that created the mountain paradise of Big Bear Lake.