The last sections of the old historic bridge across the Big Bear Lake dam are being removed.  The bridge was built back in 1924.

Removal of the old bridge across the Big Bear Lake Dam is nearly complete as of October 2, 2011. © Rick Keppler.

The last couple sections of railing, and what is left of the road that was built in 1924, look out across the Big Bear Lake dam towards the South Shore road where it once connected. © Rick Keppler.

Note:  This post contains material from the Channel-6’s The Big Bear History Show. The copyrighted information in this article have been presented here with permission from Rick Keppler and Bear Valley Broadcasting.

As of September 24, 2011, the removal of the old bridge across the top of the Big Bear Lake dam is about two thirds complete.

Jeanne Richards and Kaela Fengler of Big Bear Lake, check out the progress of the removal of the old bridge from the top of the Big Bear Lake dam. - © Rick Keppler.

A close up view of the bridge removal process on the Big Bear Lake dam. - © Rick Keppler.

Note:  This post contains material from the Channel-6’s The Big Bear History Show. The copyrighted information in this article have been presented here with permission from Rick Keppler and Bear Valley Broadcasting.

Demolition continues on the old bridge across the top of the dam at Big Bear Lake.  The removal project is about one third complete.

September 10, 2011, the old bridge across the dam is now about on third gone. - Rick Keppler collection

Here is another image of the bridge at Big Bear Lake when it first opened in 1924.

In 1924, the traffic was so light that it was possible to park on the bridge and enjoy the view of Big Bear Lake before continuing on to the village. - Rick Keppler collection

Note:  This post contains material from the Channel-6’s The Big Bear History Show. The copyrighted information in this article have been presented here with permission from Rick Keppler and Bear Valley Broadcasting.

A piece of Big Bear history began disappearing this week, as construction workers began dismantling the old bridge across the top of the Big Bear Lake dam. For the last 87 years this bridge has connected Highway 18 with south shore road along the lake, which gave motorists with a direct route to the Big Bear Village instead of having to drive all the way around lake.

The dam that this bridge sits on was built in 1912, by John Eastwood.  The bridge across the top was added twenty two years later in 1924.  In 2011, a newly constructed modern overpass just west of the dam now replaces this old piece of history.

A nostalgic moment as workers begin dismantling the south end of the old bridge on the Big Bear Lake dam. August 26, 2011. - © Rick Keppler.

In May 2010, the old bridge across the Big Bear Lake dam is still serving motorists as it watches the construction progress of the new bridge to the west that will eventually replace it. - © Rick Keppler

The newly constructed bridge across the top of the Big Bear Lake dam when it was first opened to the public in 1924. - Rick Keppler collection.

Note:  This post contains material from the Channel-6’s The Big Bear History Show. The copyrighted information in this article have been presented here with permission from Rick Keppler and Bear Valley Broadcasting.