By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff writer
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the completion of the construction of Green Valley Lake. Its construction was a result of the county rerouting the new auto road, Rim of the World Drive, away from its original route through Green Valley. It is a small town that wouldn’t allow itself to die.
In 1925, the Deep Creek Cut-Off took most of the traffic away from the old 1890s Knight-Metcalf toll wagon road route that went through Green Valley where the original toll house had been located. That section of road, known as the Snowslide Road, went through Green Valley on its way to Fawnskin. That old dirt road had been converted, in 1911, into a dirt section of the Rim of the World Drive. It opened for automobiles in 1915 but was often muddy since it was on the north side of the mountain peaks. The Snowslide was the first section to be rerouted for the High Gear Road for automobiles.
However, with the opening of new Deep Creek Cut-Off of the High-Gear Road, most traffic used the new shorter distance road which went directly to the Big Bear Lake Dam. The new road was on the southern face of the mountain and is now known as the Arctic Circle section of Highway 18.
Because of the lack of traffic to Green Valley, the community, the highest altitude residential community on the mountain, worried it might disappear. Green Valley Mac (Harry McMullen) purchased all of the Green Valley meadow area, then suggested building a dam to flood it in order to create a small lake offering swimming, boating, fishing, cabins, dancing, a restaurant and free camping for tourists – so the town wouldn’t fade away.
In 1925-1926 an 8.5-acre lake was built by the Dewitt-Blair Co. for $80,000 and they changed the town’s name to Green Valley Lake. So, 2026 will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the completion of the lake and the renaming of the area to Green Valley Lake.
The community has planned a big party to celebrate the lake’s centennial this summer. One aspect of the centennial is the publication of a book focused on the area’s history. The Lilleberg Museum at 33659 Green Valley Lake Road has documented the Green Valley and Green Valley Lake’s history of logging, mining and colorful personalities.
Three Green Valley Lake long-time residents – Dennis Foster and Pat and Sandy Huckaby – have spent the last year working on this centennial celebration. Foster is a docent the Lilleberg Museum, and Pat and Sandy Huckaby are writing the booklet on the 130+ year history of the Green Valley Lake community and coordinating the many concerts and other events which are a part of the celebration this coming summer.
The three were introduced to Russ Keller, who has offered to allow some of his photos and parts of his postcard collection to be included in the centennial book.
The Huckabys are conducting final interviews with current and former residents. Anyone with memories from the last 100 years is asked to contact them at P.O. Box 8253, Green Valley Lake, CA 92341-8253, call them at (909) 744-0674 or email them at huckaby49@gmail.com. This booklet will be going to the printer in a month to be ready in time for the big July 4th celebration this summer.
0 Comments