Mountains and trees are covered with ice and snow approaching the summit of the Big Bear Lake Region during a blizzard. At the time this photo was taken, between six and eight feet of snow had fallen on the level places. Once populated only by the Serrano Indians and Grizzly Bears, from which the area received its name, Big Bear Valley grew rapidly from 1861-1912 during the Southern California Gold Rush. A trip from San Bernardino to Big Bear Lake would take up to two days on horse-drawn coaches, but by the Spring of 1912, a local by the name of Kirk Phillips established the famous Mountain Auto Line and started bringing freight and passengers to the mountains by motor power. In 1921 Emile Jesserun built the first major resort, the Pan Hot Springs Hotel. By 1924, there were 44 resorts and a constant stream of vacationers. In 1952, Tommy Tyndall opened a resort in Big Bear Lake now known as Snow Summit. Winter activities, as well as lake activities continue to be popular with residents and vacationers alike. April 27, 1937.
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