The city of San Bernardino has a fascinating legacy and while so many of our vintage structures have been torn down to the extent that more than just a few are now … well, simply sites, there is still a wonderful array of tangible reminders of our local heritage out there.
On Jan. 8 and 9 of this year, I participated in the Making Hope Happen conference at Cal State San Bernardino, sponsored by the San Bernardino City Unified School District by leading teachers on a historical bus tour through the city.
Here is a summary of that tour, which will bring you in contact with the city’s glorious past as well as the present.
Starting at Cal State, drive eastbound to Northpark, turn right (Southbound) on Electric Avenue and you are on your way:
“Arrowhead Hot Springs Trolley Line”
At its peak during the 1920s and ’30s, well over 1,000 miles of Pacific Electric’s trolley lines accommodated 6,000 scheduled cars. The system stretched eastward from Redlands to Santa Monica, and from San Fernando to Balboa, north and south. One of those trolley lines that led into and around the San Bernardino Valley was the Arrowhead Hot Springs Line. Part of this line followed along the east side of Electric Avenue.
Left on 40th and park across from Wildwood Park to glimpse at “Arrowhead” and Arrowhead Springs Hotel (1939).
Resting on the southern slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains is a strange spectacle that has been around possibly for centuries. As if branded onto the mountainside above the city of San Bernardino, there is a near-perfect figure of an arrowhead pointing downward. Practically everyone has seen it, especially while traveling up Highway 18 toward the mountain communities. But we are still hard pressed for a clear explanation of the Arrowhead today. Before the arrival of the white man, Arrowhead Springs was used as ceremonial grounds for the local Indians. With the new arrivals, the area has made the transition from an 1850s health resort into a Hollywood celebrity’s retreat in the 1930s, and finally as The Christian Conference Center for Campus Crusade for Christ. The property is closed to the public and will remain so until negotiations with a new owner are complete.
Take 18 to 40th Street, turn left and then right on Valencia Avenue.
Most of these mansion-sized homes were built in late 1930s and into the ’40s. Many local bankers, doctors and other civic leaders have lived and continue to do so on this street as well as a few of the side streets. Legendary movie actress, Dorothy Lamour once lived on Bernard Way, which intersects Valencia Avenue. The Arrowhead Country Club hosted many celebrities staying at the Arrowhead Springs Hotel.
Right on 30th, left on Arrowhead and right again on 25th Street for “Doctors Row.”
Most the houses were built in the 1920s and ’30s by local developers named Stewart and Reid. Many houses are designed in the eclectic Spanish style. It was once known as Doctors Row because so many local physicians lived on the street, however a host of other professionals, such as lawyers and judges, also have resided here. College professors, engineers and local teachers are among the residents today.
Go southbound on E Street, left on 20th St. for “Mansion tour.”
John Ralphs Jr. built the beautiful mansions here in mid-1920s. Many professionals and local dignitaries lived here. One of these was the Holcombs, prominent pioneer family that included former Mayor W.R. “Bob” Holcomb.
Turn right on D Street, left on 17th Street and continue “Mansion Tour” to end of cul-de-sac, turn and take 17th Street back to E Street:
Left on E Street and stop at McDonalds Museum.
This was the site of the first McDonalds restaurant in the world. Richard and Maurice McDonald changed the way we eat at this location in 1948. The museum, which includes a wonderful display of McDonalds memorabilia, Route 66 memorabilia and two wonderful murals on the building’s outside walls designed by renowned artist, Phil Yeh, was started by Albert Okura, the founder of Juan Pollo and is the company’s main office. The museum is open seven days a week.
Continue southbound on E, left on Base Line, right (southbound) on D and stop in front of the Colliver House, 950 N. D St.
Built in 1901, this was the home of J.T. Colliver, a prominent early 20th century physician and is now a private residence.
Continue to the Heritage House, 796 N. D St.
The San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society moved the 1891 home of Judge George E. Otis to the “carriage corner” of 8th and D streets, one of the last rounded street corners in San Bernardino. The society renovated and brought back the original Victorian charm. They added a carriage house for meetings and a library. The house is open for tours every Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and featured speakers present on topics of local history at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
Miles House
While standing in the parking lot near the Heritage House, you will see the Miles House, which was built in the 1880s, changed hands several times before Frank and Lillian Miles bought it in 1924. It is the office of Dr. Jeffrey Kim’s “Sunshine Dental” today.
Continue southbound on D Street past the Post Office, built in 1931 to Court Street.
Drive to 562 W. Fourth Street home of the California Theater.
As motion pictures were coming into vogue during the 1920s, San Bernardino was keeping up with the times. The creative genius of William Fox, introduced to San Bernardino three of his lavish Fox West Coast Theaters. One of these is the lavish California, which has been in continuous operation since 1928. The lavishly decorated 1,700-seat theater opened to a sold-out crowd with the movie “Street Angel” on Aug. 15, 1928. This flick was a sequel to the classic “Seventh Heaven,” which made box office stars of Janet Gayner and Charles Farrell. Both attended the grand opening. Legendary humorist, Will Rogers made his last public appearance there before his fatal airplane crash in 1935. The old theater thrives today as an upscale performing arts house.
Drive to 1170 W. Third St., to the Santa Fe Depot
The first train arrived here in 1883 after controversy at the Colton Southern Pacific crossing. A large wooden station was built at this site in 1887, connected by a horse car line with the center of town. It burned in 1916 in a spectacular fire and was replaced two years later by the present station, which has recently been restored. In addition to the stop over for Amtrak and in the near future, Metrolink. This historic depot contains the offices of SanBAG and the wonderful San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum, which is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drive to 2728 Foothill Blvd., home of the Wigwam Motel.
This is 1 of 7 built throughout the United States, most of them were along Route 66. This is one of three that remain today. Strikingly silhouetted against the mountains, the 19 30-foot-tall stucco teepees provided shelter for exhausted motorists during the heyday of the “Mother Road.” Kumar Patel, whose family owns the Wigwam today, has done a wonderful job preserving its nostalgic charm and will be happy to give you a tour — and a perfect ending to my tour.
Contact Nick Cataldo at yankeenut15@gmail.com.
