The first inhabitants of the San Bernardino Mountains were Native Americans. They were drawn to these mountains due to the rich natural resources, food,water,and shelter. All over the mountain you can see the varied history and traces of those who came before you.
In 1776, Spanish Franciscan missionary Father Garces passed through Sawpit and Devil Canyons, on his soujourn through the southwest. The legendary Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith followed not long after, as they tried to pioneer out to the Pacific ocean. Our mountains became a fur trappers haven, as well as for Spanish landowners needing the virgin timber. The San Bernardino Mormon settlement brought in the roads that replaced the Indian trails, and sawmills sprang up. In the Spring of 1852, over 1000 man hours were used to build the first road to get into the mountains, paving the way for the sawmills. Early Los Angeles was built using lumber from our local sawmills.
The first resorts on the western part of the range were established before 1900. After this, development of the local real estate boomed, and by the roaring 20s many of the mountain's current communities were established. After usable roads were built, we became an area of year round living in addition to business and recreation.
The San Bernardino mountains are the most heavily settled mountains in the whole of the US. The mountains are a beautiful place to inhabit full time, but also attracted are vacationers and part-timers because of our varied recreational activities. These mountains are easy to get to and are within an hour of most beaches, deserts, and valleys. We are a central feature of Southern California.
Why not come up for a visit? The air is better up here!