Postcard Tour of ol' Wrightwood

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

A little over three weeks ago a cheerful and excited Jodi Lopez agreed to meet me in the Wrightwood Museum to give me something; a handful of old postcards and an invitation, "These are yours to do what you want to, Terry." She was deeply involved with sharing the history of Big Pines. For me, the history of Big Pines, Wrightwood and her surrounding areas aways grabbed my interest. So, in a quiet museum we figured we would share the postcards with ya all. The first series are postcards of 'ol Wrightwood; to follow in the next seven days are postcards of old Big Pines Park...this will be an unique tour into the yesteryear of Big Pines, provided by postcards provided by Jodi Lopez and written notes by local historian Barbara Van Houten.
Hope you enjoy a postcard tour of ol' Wrightwood.


Wrightwood Store, "In all the mountains, no place like this." From a postcard postmarked Sept. 28, 1948, addressed to Mrs. Ritta Ahlin in Arrlington, Mass

Wrightwood's 1st business, General Gasoline
 
"Wrightwood Mountains-The Commons"

Regarding postcard 1 and 2: The Wrightwood Store sits by itself in a field of snow. Being one of the first businesses in town, it was joined by the "Commons"-or "Village Center"; which included a cafe and Wrightwood Lodge; the first Wrightwood business, which was a small gas station. Its owner is unknown, but he carried property-for- sale advertisements. A little up the hill and to the south, is Pinon Lodge. Wrightwood subsequently became Holiday Foods and is the present day "Cluster". The gas station once sat in the same area where the AM &PM Mini Mart is. Pinon Lodge is now Mile High Pizza.


Wrightwood Lodge; From a postcard postmarked Sept. 3, 1940. addressed to Lulu Mosier in Excelsior, Minn
Wrightwood Lodge

Information in regards to the Village Center in Wrightwood-as seen in the last three postcards; Sumner Wright tired to pushed the name for the mountain community as "Wrightwood Mountains". This is obvious by the entrance through the wooden entrance called "The Commons"...overhead it read "Wrightwood Mountains". The Wrightwood Developement Company stayed with "Wrightwood". The Wrightwood Club House and Lodge were used extensively in the early 1920's and 30's. Present day Park Street is on the left. The Club House burned down in 1937 and was replaced by the Blue Ridge Inn. To the right is the Lodge which boasted a fireplace open on four sides. The present day Community was built after the Lodge  had suffered fire damage and then torn down in 1966.

[Wrightwood]

Great posting!

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

Wrightwood's Lower Twin Lakes 1926

Lower Twin Lakes 1926

The above two postcards were from photos taken from "Fiss". Not much is known about this photographer, but he was associated with Mr. B (William Bristol) of the historic Acorn Lodge. Fiss took the photos of the lodge that were submitted for the book "The House that B Built". The unique book, and history of Acorn Lodge is available for viewing in the Wrightwood Museum.

As Wright, and later the Wrightwood Developement Co., began to subdivide and sell lots in Wrightwood, old advertisement boosted of five natural lakes in Wrightwood. Two of these lakes were called "Twin Lakes"...they were designated "Upper Twin" and "Lower Twin" for obvious reason-one was above the other. The upper lake, which no longer exists, was ideal for fishing and a quiet place after a horseback ride or hike. the lower lake is still used today as a swimming hole. It is at the present day Country Club. In 1951-52 a push was made to fence the lower lake, which before this had become well used by community residents. There was much outrage, for many property owners were told that the lake would always be free for use for full time residents. Many residents had been promised this by real estate people in town. Only one real estate person was truthful and made no such promise-G.S. Corpe (the father of local historian Pat Krig). Over the years the lower Twin Lake would be a magnet for problems, which included person's unknown protesting it being made "private" by contanimating its water with manure.


More peace at Lower Twin Lakes

From a 1935 postcard, this colorized venison still did no justice to the beauty that existed around the lower lake. The water was cold but refreshing. It was thought that the lower Twin lake had minerals that brought health to those that swam in it.

This early 1940's postcard of Lower Twin Lake showed how many people normally swam in it. A walk up a well-groomed mountain trail to a quiet relaxing swimming hole had a tendency to make one's day. And taking in consideration the crowd, life was good. The fountain in the middle of the lake was later removed because of "legality reasons"; life was good until lawyers started to run things and sue-happy folks moved in.

[ForestGal]

This is a great thread, Terry!  Jody would have loved to see this.  What a wonderful tribute to her.