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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
In 1860, Bill Holcomb started a Gold Rush that began bringing people into the Big Bear valley in significant numbers for the first time. Within just a few months of his discovery, the once secluded Big Bear/Holcomb valley area had the highest concentration people in all of San Bernardino county. But by 1862, the excitement had fizzled out, and most of the miners had given up and gone elsewhere. The problem wasn’t due to a lack of gold, but a lack of water. It was going to take specialized equipment and “big money” to recover gold from the Big Bear / Holcomb Valley area. One of those “big money” efforts actually started a second gold rush.Gold MountainThis second “gold rush” was sparked by a wealthy man by the name of Elias J. (Lucky) Baldwin. Lucky Baldwin, a multimillionaire who had originally made his fortune in the Ophir Mine in Nevada.Baldwin Lake in Big Bear and Baldwin Hills in Los Angeles were both named after Elias J. Baldwin. – Rick Keppler collectionIn 1873, Baldwin began quietly investigating the mining possibilities in the Big Bear Lake area. He eventually purchased an existing claim on the mountain slopes at the north/east end of what is now Baldwin Lake for $30,000. He then incorporated the Gold Mountain Mining Company, and began construction of a huge 40 stamp mill at the base of today’s Gold Mountain.Word spread quickly of a new discovery by Lucky Baldwin at Big Bear. Soon exaggerated reports testifying to the quality of his gold claim fueled the excitement. The Guardian reported on September 12, 1874, that Baldwin’s Gold Mountain in Big Bear was a “…. mineralogical miracle” and went on to say “…. we have never heard or read of a similar discovery ….the crown of the mountain is a mass
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