History's Place

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

Where was this place in town?

As the docent coordinator for the Wrightwood Historical Museum, I am encouraged by the increasing number of residents that have come to the museum. Before, it was just the town visitors that came to learn of the community's history and see many of its artifacts that are displayed within the confines of the ol' Fire House. They still come in groves, but included in their numbers have been the locals, seeking the true beginnings of our humble mountain community.

In the August 12, 1962 issue of the Wrightwood Mountaineer), Dorothy Pittenger made reference to the saying, "He can be no good citizen who is ignorant of his own country's history." By the same token it just could apply to one's own community. The fact remains that comparatively few of the many who proudly inhabit Wrightwood, in permanent or part time status, are no more than imperfectly acquainted with its history.

We aren't talking about knowing all the tall tales, or the colorful legends hat seem to give Wrightwood some flare. We are talking about actual history. Just the facts, ma'am. In most cases, the true stuff is more interesting than legend. The reason for the museum, as well as the writings of local historians like Barbara Van Houten, Pat Krig, and that Graham fella, is to expel the boring and take you on a tour through Wrightwood's beginnings. It's up to you to write and participate in her present and in her future.


This old school house still exists today. What is it now?

What started it all for this area was the Swarthout brothers, Nathan, George and Truman, who had just finished their tour of duty with the Mormon Battalion. Released from duty in Los Angeles in 1847, the brothers now had more time to dedicate themselves to working their properties in San Bernardino Valley and their cattle claim in the lower and upper Swarthout Valley. This area would later be known as West Cajon, Wild Horse Canyon and Wrightwood. The Swarthout cattle claim even extended into the Big Rock Creek area.

The Swarthout cattle claim operation had two line shacks; there was one on the east boundary of the property, which later became the second ranch house for present day Clyde's Ranch after the first was smashed by a fallen tree. The second line shack was located in the area that is now known as Largo Vista Road (formally Deadman's Canyon Road) in Los Angeles County. Its chimney ruins are still there, visible on the east side of the road as the canyon empties into the desert.

In 1867, a Philip Graham was arrested for horse theft by a Los Angeles County lawman in the area near the Swarthout's east line shack. The Swarthout's west line shack sits at the base of a ridge where another ranch is located. It is the Graham Ranch Co., which is owned and operated by J.C. Graham. He is a retired Los Angeles County lawman.

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

What function did this building provide? When was it built, and what is it now?

Almon Clyde bought the Swarthout cattle claim from George Swarthout for two hundred dollars in gold and eight head of cattle. It was first believed that Clyde bought the ranch in 1863, since this was the year Swarthout's property assessment was filled out. According to Clyde family records and statements from surviving family members, it was more like 1853, or as early as 1850. Almon Clyde first filed a patent for his cattle range in 1859. The continual saga of Clyde's Ranch can be discovered at the Wrightwood Historical Museum.

One local periodical reported this: "Wyatt Earp's sister and her husband (Almon Clyde) lived in the canyon later on and planted apple trees."Almon Clyde never married Wyatt Earp's sister. Wyatt had three sisters, actually. Martha Elizabeth Earp died at the age of 10 in Monmouth, Illinois and Virginia Ann Earp died at the age of 3 in Pella, Iowa. Wyatt's other sister was Adelia Douglas Earp. She didn't marry Almond Clyde, either. She was married to William Thomas Edwards of San Bernardino, a marriage that lasted for a long, long time. A marriage that brought them five daughters and three sons. Who did Almon really marry? The answer can be found in the museum.

Almon did not create the apple ranch part of the property. It was simply a cattle ranch nested in the mountains. It was Almon's sons, Jerrold and Fred, who started planning around 1901...after Almon Clyde's passing. Fred Clyde was the first to live full time at Clyde's Ranch to work it. For extra money he shoveled sand on the shoulders adjacent to the Sante Fe railroad tracks to prevent fires from starting.


Since the 1960's, Clyde's Ranch was referred to as "Wyatt Earp's Mountain Camp." Was it to bring sensation to the area? Wyatt did visit Clyde's Ranch once in a while. He helped plant and cut hay. What Earp really did spend time on Clyde's Ranch? Especially during rehab time...after receiving serious wounds from a shotgun at a place called Tombstone; and during a stressful time... after the "Battle of the Crossing" in Colton, California. It was this Earp who had a closer relationship with Almon Clyde. It was this Earp who spent most of the time at Almon Clyde's mountain ranch. Which Earp was it? The answer is in the museum.

It wasn't until September of 1923, when Sumner Wright first shoved in a property stake into the rocky soil, that Wrightwood started to become a town. It was then that he started to subdivide the area. Before that, the valley was ranch area that contained a young forest of "stirrup high" trees. There were only a few mature ones. The growth of Wrightwood was slow at first, then the area once called "Wrightwood Mountains" gained popularity. The rest is history, the type that can be found in the historical museum. We invite you to look around. And as you take a gander at the records, pictures and other artifacts that tell the facts of our area, perhaps we can spruce things up...by tellin' ya some tall tales.