History of Big Bear

Big Bear Lake is southern California 's most popular mountain resort. Big Bear Lake provides all season recreation for millions of people annually. Visitors of Big Bear Lake come from all over the world and they include many local Southern California residents.

About Big Bear

Big Bear is surrounded by a vast pine forest. This spectacular mountain top valley is often called an island in the Sky. Many people have chosen to make their permanent homes in Big Bear and Big Bear Lake. The wonder of this high country has been known for ages as the Serrano Indians came  here some 2500 years ago. Serranos are thought to have come from the wind river area of Wyoming.

Origin of the name of Big Bear

The origin of the name of Big Bear was Yuhaviat. Yuhaviat or the original name of Big Bear means pine place. The Spanish called these shoshone Indian tribe, Serranos meaning mountaineer.

For centuries, Big Bear valley was a favorite hunting and food gathering source for these peace having people. After the Indians, there have been trappers, prospectors, miners, road contractors, cattlemen, lumbermen, dam builders resort developers, fox farmers, movie makers sub dividers and ski area creators.

Modern history of Big Bear

Modern history of Big Bear began in a warm day in mid July of 1845 when Benjamin d. Wilson led a party of 22 hard riding Californians down through the pines into a lush meadow ringed by mountains. They were the first civilized men  to ever visit this beautiful valley which seemed alive with bear, Wilson was quick to name it and a nearby lake after the giant grizzlies that were so profuse.