– ARTICLES –
This collection of articles provides basic information about specific topics in Big Bear’s rich history.
If you are new to this website, a good place to start is with the menu at the top of this page
Most of the content appearing on this website comes from the information and material acquired during the production of our weekly TV series the Big Bear History Show on Channel-6, and in the publishing of the book “Vanishing Big Bear”.
– TIMELINE –
This is a chronological timetable of noteworthy events that shaped Big Bear’s history. It’s a continuing work in progress that is constantly being updated on an irregular basis.
Hollywood Discovers Big Bear
In March of 1911, a film company from Hollywood, called the Essanay Company, arrived at the Pine Crest Resort near Lake Arrowhead. They unloaded their equipment, and began filming a short one reel film entitled “Romance of the Bar O”. It is believed that this was the...
Cecil B. DeMille
Famous film director/producer Cecil B. DeMille was one of the first Hollywood producers to use Big Bear as a location for a filming. Just three years after the Bison Motion Picture Company had arrived in Big Bear, DeMille was up here making a silent film called “The...
Cedar Lake, Film Set
A couple miles west of the Big Bear village, up in the hills off of USFS road 2N10, nestled in the woods, is a small manmade lake. This lake is the home of the Cedar Lake Christian Camp that provides lodging and camping accommodations to private groups. It is also a...
Vanishing Big Bear “2”
The new hardcover historical book “Vanishing Big Bear - 2” by Rick Keppler has just been released. It is now available at the Big Bear Museum, and at the following retail locations around the valley: Butchers Block - Interiors on Fox Farm Road - Haus &...
Fluctuating Lake Levels & Sawmill Cove
There was once a time, before the dam was built, about 20,000 plus years ago when our Big Bear Lake was larger and up to sixty feet higher higher than it is today. How was this possible? Noel Blanc, the host of the "Good Day Big Bear" on Channel-6 discusses this with...
Mel Blanc’s Historical Big Bear Home
Noel Blanc, Kim Sweet and Rick Keppler discuss Noel & Katherine Blanc's home at Big Bear Lake. This interview took place in October 2011, on the Channel-6 Good Day Big Bear Show The Blanc's Big Bear home sits in Sawmill Cove. This cove was once the home of a...