Big Bear Lake
Additional Details:
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Series B-542
It was on Dec. 6, 1881 that the first lot was sold in the new community of Redlands. It was soon realized that a new water supply must be found. E. G. Judson, Frank Brown and Hiram Barton found this supply in Bear Valley, a summer pasturage land for cattle. The Bear Valley Irrigation Company was formed in 1883. A great number of the Redlands farmers volunteered to work out their share of the costs. Cement was to be had from nearby Colton, but transportation costs boosted the price to $12.00 per barrel, three times the cost at Colton. Granite slabs were quarried nearby and lifted into place by donkey engine. The first dam cost $75,000 and held about 35,000 acre feet of water, half as much as the new dam . . . M. P. |
