Kim Sweet and Rick Keppler present some history of the marina and village at Big Bear Lake, California. This presentation is illustrated with a collection of old historical photos showing the evolution of both the marina and the village area on the lake near the intersection of Big Bear Boulevard and Big Bear Boulevard. This interview was conducted by John Wells on the Friday “Good Day Big Bear” show on Channel-6. 

There was once a time, before the dam was built, about 20,000 plus years ago when our Big Bear Lake was larger and up to sixty feet higher higher than it is today.  How was this possible?  Noel Blanc, the host of the “Good Day Big Bear” on Channel-6 discusses this with Kim Sweet and Rick Keppler in the following video.  Check it out.

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.

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.