By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY – Senior Writer
The July 15 Celebrity Cruise on the Arrowhead Queen, sponsored by the Rim of the World Historical Society, was the second of three slated for this summer season. About 60 ticketholders showed up at the Lake Arrowhead Village marina at 5:15 p.m. for beverages and snacks prior to the 6 p.m. cruise on Lake Arrowhead’s legendary paddle-wheeler.
Capt. Adrian Chase is at the helm, while historian Russ Keller describes Lake Arrowhead’s colorful history.
With Capt. Adrian Chase at the helm and local Historian Russ Keller manning the microphone, the nearly two-hour-long excursion around the perimeter of Lake Arrowhead revealed many little-known truths about the multimillionaires who developed what was once known as Little Bear Lake and the Hollywood celebrities who once occupied many of the palatial mansions lining the lakeshore, as well as those who still call Lake Arrowhead their home. Keller also dispelled several rumors about the history of California’s largest privately owned lake.
Chateau des Fleurs has played host to feature films and television series such as The Dirty Dozen, The Six Million Dollar Man and Barnaby Jones.
Construction of Little Bear Lake Dam, which began in 1890, was completed in 1921, thanks to millionaire developers James Gamble, a member of the Proctor & Gamble family, J.V. VanNuys and James Mooney.
The Boat House, located on Point Hamiltair, is the only known residence in the country with a boat storage garage. It was once occupied by actor Tom Selleck and was featured in the movie Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff.
Some of the celebrities who called Lake Arrowhead home include pianist Liberace, Beach Boy Brian Wilson, silent movie actress Clara Bow, Faye Ray, Rock Hudson, the Doheny family, Mark Harmon, Pam Dawber, Max Factor, John Hillerman, Dennis Weaver, Richard Nixon, Roseanne Barr, Lisa Presley, John Candy, Doris Day, Patrick Swayze, Doris Day, June Lockhart, Dick Clark, Laura Schlessinger, Herb Alpert, Sammy Hagar, Lucille Ball, Jay Leno, Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear, just to mention a few.
This summer’s final Celebrity Cruise is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19. Tickets are available at www.mtnmuseum.org.
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