Fawnskin, California
Encyclopedia
Fawnskin is an unincorporated community
in San Bernardino County, California
, United States
. Its altitude is 6,827 feet (2,081 m). The community has a post office, which was established on 18 May 1918.
The village has always been an attraction to vacationers seeking a retreat from city life in its mountain terrain. Several hundred homes are in the forested mountainside adjacent to the forest.
Gold miners, loggers and hunters were drawn to the adjacent Holcomb Valley
during the 19th century. The Native American legend about how the town got its name has been turned into the urban legend. The Anglo version is that hunters discovered deer (fawn) skins stretched out to dry in the sun. Hence, the area became known as Fawn Skin and later Fawnskin.
Fawnskin was once the hub of lakeside activity, serving as a stagecoach
stop and tourist attraction with hotels and dining. The town's main landmark is the Fawn Lodge, built in 1924, but now closed.
Other notable landmarks include the Pedersen Saw Mill, which lies just west of the lodge; and the historic post office, which lies to the east of the lodge, but that now is a private home rental. Downtown Fawnskin has some of the oldest buildings in the Big Bear valley.
Once popular for camping, the Lighthouse Camp and Landing is the only surviving north shore camp from the 1920s. Hanna Flats and YMCA Camp Whittle -- owned and operated by the Metropolitan Los Angeles YMCA
-- are located within the forest above Fawnskin remain favorites of vacationers.
Fawnskin events include the comic Doo Dah Parade and the Loggers’ Jubilee. The town also claims the only "honest" election in the nation. Anyone can vote for the Fawnskin Mayor, votes are donations of a quarter. The candidate who wins is the one who raises the most money. Hence, the town "buys" their politicians.
Today Fawnskin is designated as a protective habitat for Golden
and American Bald Eagles. They return annually to the valley from November to April.
In 1998, the multi-million dollar Big Bear Discovery Center was built and plans to expand. The facility is operated by a partnership between the US Forest Service and the San Bernardino National Forest Association.
A variety of celebrities live in the area. Two publishers operate out of Fawnskin and several writers live there full time including Bradley L. Winch, Diana L. Guerrero, Rita Robinson, and William Sarabande
.
Jordan Romero
, the 13-year-old boy who conquered Everest is also known as one of the Fawnskin Folks.
Actress/singer Shirley Jones
and her husband actor/comedian Marty Ingels
also own a home in Fawnskin. Marty Ingels and Shirley Jones bought a piece of property in 2001 and created Fawn Park in downtown Fawnskin. However, it has been closed to the public since July 2006. Fortunately, the small mountain resort community has the other parks which include the Old Miller School House Park, Dana Point Park, and the Don Conroy Memorial Park.
Fawnskin is a popular filming location and has been featured in the 1958 B-movie, "Giant from the Unknown," " Hallmark's "Angel in the Family," "Doctor Dolittle II," the 1999 Academy Award-nominated film "The Insider," and others.
The small town's news and informal activities have been reported in two publications, Fawnskin Folks (1920s) and in the Fawnskin Flyer (Est 2005).
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in San Bernardino County, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its altitude is 6,827 feet (2,081 m). The community has a post office, which was established on 18 May 1918.
History
The small township was once an artist’s colony which attracted artisans, musicians, composers and actors from the Los Angeles area. Mountain travelers in the 19th century came to the Big Bear Valley through Fawnskin on the rough road by stagecoach and later motorcars. Several other names were temporarily chosen for the North Shore village including Cline-Miller, Bald Eagle Valley, Big Bear Village, Oso Grande and Grout.The village has always been an attraction to vacationers seeking a retreat from city life in its mountain terrain. Several hundred homes are in the forested mountainside adjacent to the forest.
Gold miners, loggers and hunters were drawn to the adjacent Holcomb Valley
Holcomb Valley
Holcomb Valley, located in the San Bernardino Mountains about five miles north of Big Bear Lake, was the site of the most gold mined in Southern California. It was named after William F. Holcomb, who discovered gold there in 1860. That year started the largest gold rush in Southern California to...
during the 19th century. The Native American legend about how the town got its name has been turned into the urban legend. The Anglo version is that hunters discovered deer (fawn) skins stretched out to dry in the sun. Hence, the area became known as Fawn Skin and later Fawnskin.
Fawnskin was once the hub of lakeside activity, serving as a stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
stop and tourist attraction with hotels and dining. The town's main landmark is the Fawn Lodge, built in 1924, but now closed.
Other notable landmarks include the Pedersen Saw Mill, which lies just west of the lodge; and the historic post office, which lies to the east of the lodge, but that now is a private home rental. Downtown Fawnskin has some of the oldest buildings in the Big Bear valley.
Once popular for camping, the Lighthouse Camp and Landing is the only surviving north shore camp from the 1920s. Hanna Flats and YMCA Camp Whittle -- owned and operated by the Metropolitan Los Angeles YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
-- are located within the forest above Fawnskin remain favorites of vacationers.
Fawnskin events include the comic Doo Dah Parade and the Loggers’ Jubilee. The town also claims the only "honest" election in the nation. Anyone can vote for the Fawnskin Mayor, votes are donations of a quarter. The candidate who wins is the one who raises the most money. Hence, the town "buys" their politicians.
Today Fawnskin is designated as a protective habitat for Golden
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
and American Bald Eagles. They return annually to the valley from November to April.
In 1998, the multi-million dollar Big Bear Discovery Center was built and plans to expand. The facility is operated by a partnership between the US Forest Service and the San Bernardino National Forest Association.
A variety of celebrities live in the area. Two publishers operate out of Fawnskin and several writers live there full time including Bradley L. Winch, Diana L. Guerrero, Rita Robinson, and William Sarabande
William Sarabande
William Sarabande is the pen name for Joan Lesley Hamilton Cline who was born in Hollywood, California. Cline began writing at the age of 17 and was first published in 1979....
.
Jordan Romero
Jordan Romero
Jordan David Romero is an American mountain climber who, on May 22, 2010, became the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. He was 13 years 10 months 10 days old when he reached the summit. Romero was accompanied by his father Paul Romero, his father's girlfriend Karen Lundgren, and three...
, the 13-year-old boy who conquered Everest is also known as one of the Fawnskin Folks.
Actress/singer Shirley Jones
Shirley Jones
Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man...
and her husband actor/comedian Marty Ingels
Marty Ingels
Marty Ingels is an actor, comedian, theatrical agent, and, by many, best known as the voice of many cartoon characters and commercials. Born Martin Ingerman in Brooklyn, New York, he is the son of Jacob and Minnie Ingerman.His voice-overs and commercials include those for Paul Masson wines, with...
also own a home in Fawnskin. Marty Ingels and Shirley Jones bought a piece of property in 2001 and created Fawn Park in downtown Fawnskin. However, it has been closed to the public since July 2006. Fortunately, the small mountain resort community has the other parks which include the Old Miller School House Park, Dana Point Park, and the Don Conroy Memorial Park.
Fawnskin is a popular filming location and has been featured in the 1958 B-movie, "Giant from the Unknown," " Hallmark's "Angel in the Family," "Doctor Dolittle II," the 1999 Academy Award-nominated film "The Insider," and others.
The small town's news and informal activities have been reported in two publications, Fawnskin Folks (1920s) and in the Fawnskin Flyer (Est 2005).