Lake Arrowhead Homes For Sale & So Much More!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The ARROWHEAD Landmark ~ Fact or Fiction

As I was driving home the other day, heading up HWY 18 toward Lake Arrowhead, I decided to stop at the little softball field in Wildwood Park (intersection of Waterman and 40th St) in San Bernardino, to snap a couple of pictures of the mysterious ARROWHEAD LANDMARK. The giant Arrowhead always greets visitors to the San Bernardino Mountains, which can be seen for miles around.

FICTION? .... For centuries, The ARROWHEAD LANDMARK has been a symbol to the Native Americans and early settlers to this area. Supposedly, it is a natural landmark, consisting of light quartz which

supports a growth of short, white sage. Indians who lived in the San Bernardino Valley long, long ago, believed that the arrowhead pointed the way to the hot mineral springs below (and IT DOES). They thought the springs held great healing powers, which made them view this land as holy ground. Even though there have been numerous forest fires throughout the years, which have caused erosion to the arrowhead landmark, it still holds its uniqueness and remains "our" symbol of the

'pioneer spirit' of time gone by.

FACT? Scientist think that the Arrowhead was formed millions of years ago when an earthquake struck the area (SAN ANDREAS FAULT) causing the mountainside to shift/slide, leaving the shape of an Arrow pointing downward.

I like to believe the first version...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sometime in the mid 1800's, famous Mormon leader, Brigham Young, sent 400 plus of his followers to the foot of the "arrow-marked mountain" after he had a "vision." (More about that in another post). " Years later, David Noble Smith built the first structures below the arrow, a "hot springs infirmary," (sanitarium) and opened them to the public. Since then, three hotels with spas have been constructed.

The most recent hotel, built in 1939, remains in tact. The Art Deco design closely mimicked the legendary

Beverly Hills Hotel. The grand- opening brought dozens of movie-stars: the Marx Brothers, Judy Garland, Al Jolson, Rudy Vallee and Jimmy Durante and many more. During the 40's & 50's, other Hollywood Stars of the time made the resort a hot-spot when they'd flock to it for a little R & R. Some of those celebrities were Humphrey Bogart, Lucille Ball, Susan Hayward, Clark Gable, just to name a few.

My family and I drove thru the grounds years ago, and it felt as though time had stood still. The pool and the cabanas especially sticks out in my mind. I could easily visualize the "Movie Stars" of the hey-days, lounging around this fabulous place.

Other tidbits about the Hotel:

Elizabeth Taylor, age 17, & Nicky Hilton (of the Hilton Hotels) spent their honeymoon in the penthouse.
Arrowhead Springs has some of the hottest geothermal springs in the world; 212 degrees.
Of the 1,916 acres at Arrowhead Springs Resort 1,400 acres, or 70%, has been set aside as protected watershed and nature reserve
Famous "Ester Williams, Million Dollar Mermaid" filmed her movie shots in the swimming pool, which was heated by geothermal springs.
The Arrowhead measures 1,375 long, 449 wide & approx. 7.5 acres.
Since 1894, this area has been home of Arrowhead's (Arrowhead Water) first cold-water spring.

ARROWHEAD SPRINGS HOTEL

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The ROAD to LAKE ARROWHEAD Began Long, Long Ago

I wrote this post in 2009.... it's worth a repeat, though.

When driving up Highway 18 through the San Bernardino Mountains, do you ever think about how this road was

MORMON TRAIL DEDICATION - Picture courtesy of Russ Keller

constructed? The fact is, it was NO EASY task for our ancestors who "paved" the way for us. Bless them!!! And no, they didn't design and build it so they could cruise on up to Lake Arrowhead, or our surrounding towns, to enjoy the beauty here, frolic in the snow, rent a cabin for a weekend get-a-way or to ski. They built this road out of necessity.

Some 400 or 500 Mormons made their way over the CAJON PASS in 1851, down into the San Bernardino Valley and began forming a settlement. There was a desperate need for lumber in order to build homes and businesses, and the only place to find all the lumber needed would be up in the mountains. It was then decided that a road up Waterman Canyon, to the mountains, would have to take place. This would be the "first"public road into Lake Arrowhead." Or, rather, what Lake Arrowhead is today. Though it was dangerous and steep, the seriousness of the logging industry began in July 1852 and the settlers forged ahead with the construction of The Mormon Trail Road (now Highway 18).

Upper Toll House

Beginning in 1892, a toll road (the Bear Valley Rd Company Toll Road) was completed. The story goes that folks weren't exactly pleased with the fact they now had to pay for what was free. Soon the toll booths (left photo) would mysterously be destroyed...until 1905 when the County of San Bernardino started buying up the toll and lumber roads in order to create a free county public highway.

As I was driving home one day, I stopped at the Mormon Trail Road Landmark, on Highway 18 and took a few pictures of the current monument. This happened the same day I took snapshots of the ARROWHEAD-LANDMARK and I also wrote a post (click on link).

Of course there were no pictures of the early roads, but I do have a couple of snapshot of the "dedication" (upper right) which took place on November 10, 1932, and one of the Upper Toll Road (upper left photo), THANKS to RUSS KELLER. Russ is a member of the RIM OF THE WORLD HISTORICAL SOCIETY and is a walking encyclopedia of San Bernardino Mountain history. If he doesn't know it, he'll find out. But chances are he DOES know. Russ also has a business, MOUNTAIN COLLECTOR: Collecting, Preserving & Displaying the History of the San Bernardino Mountains. He can be contacted at 909-338-8232 or emailing him at mtcollector@nwtzero.net.

MORMON TRAIL MONUMENT PLAQUE - Kat DeLong

Monday, January 28, 2013

STAY ON YOUR FEET in The WINTER, and OFF The ICE

When you're living in a four-seasons area, you really need to be prepared for ALL of them. We're in the mist of winter now, and after a couple of snow storms, I thought I'd share with you AN "ugly" little secret. I have something that helps me STAY IN A VERTICAL POSITION when I'm walking on icy walkways/driveway, etc (or up until now they have). These not-so-stylish black things in the photo are called GET-A-GRIPS. I bought them several years ago on QVC and I have been thankful ever since.

I think most hardware stores carry these, or similar ones. They now go by another name, but they're the same thing. (I don't like the chain type, only the clete type).

WHAT DO YOU USE TO STAY ON YOUR FEET WHEN DEALING WITH ICE?

Okay, so maybe they won't make you look like a fashion Deva... but boy they make you look more graceful by staying on your feet, verses the alteritive.

Peeps have been telling me some of the stores in town are now carrying them, like JUST BROWSING in the Village.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Would You Go Out on A Limb For A Listing? Literally.

Have you ever been showing property and have your clients say, "Wow, this doesn't look anything like the

picture in the magazine (or online)!" ??? I bet you have. My answer is usually the same, "Some Realtors are really good with a camera." SOME ARE VERY GOOD. (I even knew a Realtor who actually climbed a TREE once to get a "peek of the lake" so she could put that description in her listing). Was she WRONG for doing this? I think so.

The same goes to describing our listings. Some wording can be MISCONSTRUED, misleading or a flat out fib. True, we run out of descriptions for homes. Also, some folks are better at coming up with new ways to say the same old stuff. There are just so many ways to say beautiful or exquisite. Either way, we really do need to be careful when we paint a picture of our listings.

Words to really use with care:

VIEW, PEEK OF, GREAT VIEWS; Of what? Forest? Trees? Lake? Inside your neighbors bathroom window? Tell us.
NEW: This can be tricky. If you're talking about a roof or household appliances, my broker prefers we use "Newer." Even if it's a month new.
MOTIVATED: Are we looking after our sellers best interest when we use this term? It MAY make our sellers sound desperate. (Okay, they may be, but I doubt we should disclose that to the world).
BEST BUY? Compared to what? The best buy on the street? The town?

Since I live and sell in a mountain resort, we (many of us Realtors) use some sweet descriptions over and over when we're inputting data about a cabin we've listed...like; charmer, charming, rustic, cozy. Before I even go look at a listing with one of these delightful words, I'm thinking, "Oh BOY...I can smell musty written all over this." And, I am guilty of using a few of these on occasion, too. ...but, I can honestly say that I've NEVER climbed a tree to take a picture.

So, what's the funniest description you've ever read, or story you've heard about a Realtor whose "embellished" a tad?

Sunday, January 20, 2013

10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LAKE ARROWHEAD & Other Mountain Towns

...blue skies, fresh air, the smell of pines & cedars.
There is no way you can be bored when you live in, or come visit, the San Bernardino Mountains; be it Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs or Big Bear, because there are always places to go and things to do. Below I've touched on 10 of my favorites places to go. So come on up, and come on out.

Take a tour on THE ARROWHEAD QUEEN Paddle Boat.
Head to the ICE CASTLE TRAINING CENTER and have a blast ice-skating
Learn to Water-ski at (summer) MCKENZIE WATER SKI SCHOOL
Stroll around LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE and do some shopping & dining.
Do a little fishing at GREEN VALLEY LAKE
See what kind of score you can get at RIM BOWLING
TAKE the kids to THE NATIONAL CHILDRENS FOREST for a hike
Visit one of the FIRE LOOKOUTS
Make a stop at the RIM OF THE WORLD HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Pack up the family and head to the BIG BEAR DISCOVERY CENTER

Thursday, January 17, 2013

IS WINTER A GOOD TIME TO LIST MY HOME?

I have sellers ask me all the time "Is winter a lousy time to list my home?" And I respond with, "NO, NO, NO." In fact, it could be the best time to list!

Lake Arrowhead is a resort community, where approximately 50% of our homes/Cabins for Sale in Winter belong to part-timers. Folks purchase here, not only to get away from the hustle-bustle of big city living but, to experience our four mild seasons... winter being one of their favorites!

Here are a few reason why I think listing in winter is a good idea:

What is more cozy then curling up in front of a fireplace, watching old movies and sipping hot cocoa, as the snow flakes fall?
For the snow-skiing lovers, they wish to be near the slopes (we're oh, so close to Snow Valley and Bear Mountain.
There are fewer listings on the market (our inventory is way down), giving your home an even better shot at getting viewed/sold. More exposure. Supply & Demand.

If you've been sitting on the winter fence, pondering to list or not, ponder no more. It IS a great time to list. Don't wait, as your competition will increase in spring. So, let's spring into action in winter!