Big Bear Lake, CA Dam Keeper's house and a brief history of the place and location. 5/28/2023

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

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[@MrShobar]

The rock was not quarried elsewhere. The surrounding boulders were used. When the first dam was visible (it's now submerged), you could see where the rock material was obtained. The second dam (shown) is the Eastwood Dam, built before WW1. A multi-arch design was adopted to reduce costs when compared to a conventional gravity dam. The concrete was brought up from Victorville in horse-drawn wagons. The highway (state route 18) used to be on top of the dam. but was later re-routed due to seismic concerns. The second dam greatly increased the water volume in the lake. As you noted, the lake was privately owned (and the dam privately built) and used to provide irrigation water down in Highland and the surrounding area. Those boulders are not glacial erratics. They surfaced from the geological upthrust that created the San Bernardino range. The structure at 10:00 was for water collection and storage for the house below. It was not for "animals". P.S. Your lovely wife needs to understand that it can get very cold at about 7500 feet, and that her bare shoulders can still get sunburned quick. Correction: Cement was brought from Victorville. Concrete was made using the cement and sand and crushed rock obtained from the lake bed. A concrete mixer powered by a steam engine was used to make concrete. There was no "rebar" available then, so what scrap steel could be found was used. In the early 1960's, I could still see some of the wood used as forms adhering to the back face of the dam. Overall, a very enjoyable video.

[@conrad4667]

9:04 That boulder is the size and shape of a car. Hi Nikk and Rachel.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

That’s hilarious. When I clicked on the number that you sent me it does look like a car something Fred Flintstone will drive How are you doing brother? I wish it was still winter time so you could try to enjoy that beanie but I know you’re gonna like it when the time comes.

[@jrcop77]

Good afternoon nikk

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Jr. Holy moly, my friend good to hear from you. Happy Memorial Day weekend to you my bro.

[@sunracer1869]

Greetings Nick!! Thanks for sharing I never knew about that place. It would be a awesome restoration project.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Hi there, sun racer. I would be honored and privileged to see this town actually restore that place I was telling my wife the same thing that that would be so beautiful especially because it’s part of the preservation Society in big Bear. I believe I’m surprised they haven’t done anything to restore it.

[@juliehoot3916]

Awesome! I don't understand why "the powers that be" in Big Bear didn't think to preserve such a treasure! Thank you Nikk and especailly Rachel who froze for us! 🥶

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Haha. You’re so welcome Julie thank you for everything you’re always so good to us. You always have the nicest things to say and you always make me feel really good about what I’m doing so thank you very much.

[@MrShobar]

The "powers that be" had no money. It wasn't until property values rose significantly (generating a tax base) that things changed for the better in Big Bear. In the old days it had no police (except for the SB County Sheriffs Dept.) and no fire department (other than the Calif. Division of Forestry). Consequently, just about everything burned to the ground.

[@juliehoot3916]

@@MrShobar Wow! Thanks!

[@serengeti4023]

Extra extraordinary awesome views - love the gate keeper's structure. It has great bones, would be nice if the town reconstructed it but, then again, I like it as it is as well. Nikk thank you for taking us on this amazing historical little adventure... ***hi Rachel*** 😘

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Hey there Seren. You are so welcome. I am so glad what I’m doing. You guys enjoy it makes me so happy. Tomorrow I’m checking into the nicest hotel in big bear it’s a four-star hotel and I’m doing all of this for all of you guys. I can’t really afford it but I’m doing it anyway because I want you guys to see everything that Big Bear has to offer.

[@serengeti4023]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 What you are doing is promotion for the hotel. I hope they are aware of it and compensate you and Rachel in one way or another. BTW, I think most of us would be just as happy with you and Rachel doing and showing us free outdoor stuff. Do NOT spend money on showing us hotel rooms, etc. you can always do a drive by or show us the grounds and such....save that money Nikk.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@serengeti4023 I appreciate that a lot I do we are not being compensated at all but I look at it as an investment because I do get a lot of people wondering what the resorts look like and so I create a playlist and I think I’ve stayed at 16 or 17 resorts in big bear and the way I see it as an investment is people will come up here and spend money because of what I’m doing in that will keep you living in Big Bear Otherwise, I definitely can’t afford it but my wife deserves to do these things. She puts up with me all the time I don’t know how she does it lol.

[@SHEEPHORNsummer]

PS, You two are adorbs and great photo! #wow #bbl #love #heaven #bellarachel & #handsomenikk 👏🏼👏🏼

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Moonridge you really are so unbelievable thank you so much So one of your hashtags says bella On one of my journeys to Italy, when I was really young with my family, I always hear the story of when I was about five or six years old when my mom and dad‘s friend, gianfranco picked us up at the airport. He looked at me and said, Say bello or say Bella and I know I’m spelling the first word incorrectly, but when he said say bella, with almost tears in my eyes, I said the following. Bella. If I say the story in person instead of write it down, it’s really funny but I was really tired from the long flight and I thought he was asking me to say that word Bella lol

[@SHEEPHORNsummer]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 Hahaha! That’s so cute! You were so young then! Bella = Rachel -- Bello = Nikk! Italy, once you visit, stays in your heart forever! When I Italy after a 3 week stay, (many years ago), I felt as if I left part of my heart there! 💚🤍❤️ 🇮🇹 My family is from Caserta, Italy, and Salemi, Sicily. You two enjoy your day and thanks again for sharing the beauty of the mountain and Big Bear Lake with everyone!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@SHEEPHORNsummer very welcome and thank you for sharing some of your family history. Growing up and still to this day. That’s my mom’s favorite place to visit. She’s probably been there over 20 different times and one of our really good family friends. He owns a beautiful restaurant, right next to the Colosseum it’s pretty spectacular. I haven’t been there in over 20 years but at his restaurant views are just unbelievable because almost right across the street is that huge Colosseum where they used to have gladiator events etc. My life as a youngster I really had it good my dad was a successful doctor and my mom was a successful real estate broker and we got to do so much and now that I’m older and my parents don’t have any money anymore. I want to do all these things on my own to appreciate it even more so I’m gonna try my best to keep working hard and maybe someday I will get thrown a bone.

[@SHEEPHORNsummer]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 Those dreams that you have, and that we all have are always in the making, and even if it’s one destination, whether it is near your home, out of state, somewhere in our nation, or out abroad, those experiences shape us. Little steps lead to great gains! It all about timing, fate, vision and hope! We haven’t traveled lately, but we have learned to appreciate what is right here in our own backyards! 😉 That’s why your channel brings the world and magical places closes to us. And for those not that might not be able to get out and to travel, it makes watching these very enjoyable!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@SHEEPHORNsummer very nice of you to say that. And so very true. I’m glad I bring this to you and although you haven’t traveled recently you seem so happy and at peace. I need more to Mold my future and emotions. I need it. Just like a drug. That’s what doing these hotels etc does for me and the traveling.

[@franl5585]

Nice tour, Nikk. I've never been up there, but it looks like an interesting part of Big Bear history. They built a strong house; it survived the big earthquake of '93, which is pretty admirable because some brick structures were damaged. What terrific views! Nice to see Rachel with you, enjoying the day.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Thanks Fran. Sorry for the late response. I hope you are having a good memorial day. I hope your weekend was great. Thank you for enjoying everything we’re doing. It makes me really really happy.

[@MrShobar]

1993? There were many others before that. The Eastwood Dam is a testament to seismic strength since it has survived several without damage.

[@KrissyAnyta]

Great video and thank for the history lesson, very interesting!! The views were great!! I don’t even live up there but I love it already!! Well California is pure beauty itself!!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Hi Kristin. California does have some amazing topography. It’s very special in that way. I know you would really enjoy this place if you came up here to visit.

[@SHEEPHORNsummer]

The LAKE looks gorgeous and the dam so high! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

I’m telling you that view of the lake on the thumbnail just gives me the chills. It is so incredible.

[@SHEEPHORNsummer]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 Soooo beautiful!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@SHEEPHORNsummer The beauty is incredible to me And by the way, Rachel and I are checking into the only four-star hotel in big bear tomorrow. I hope everybody likes it. It looks phenomenal. I didn’t realize how nice it really was.

[@SHEEPHORNsummer]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 That’s great! Can’t wait to see it! Enjoy!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@SHEEPHORNsummer thanks friend. We will. She’s already packed and so exited. Then next week staying at The Vintage

[@janeknight5070]

Enjoyed the tour. What a great view the Dam Keepers house had.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Thanks Jane. I appreciate that. Yes, it is such a special place and not that many people know about it. I would love to see it restored.

[@sammisung3914]

Hi Nikk. Loving this and seeing you two beautiful ppl.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Sammi you are so sweet. I am so happy you’re my friend. Thank you for your kindness and your love always happy memorial day.

[@danpayan9468]

Beautiful blue sky must be nice haven't seen the sun in couple weeks in OC

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Dan believe it or not that’s one thing I miss about living at the beach is so many days it would be overcast this time of year but all I would have to do is drive as far inland as just Irvine and it would be sunny

[@SHEEPHORNsummer]

This is really lovely! Even the crude remnants of the house are beautiful! So awesome and historic! It is a really neat place, Rachel! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thanks Nikk! Again, great footage and storytelling!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Moonridge you’re very welcome I’m thinking that’s what I would like to do if I can remember all these places I go to bring up some history so I can tell you guys about it when I’m going there I think that would be a cool addition to the channel and for people who enjoy it like you, it makes it worth it for me

[@analogjudoka]

Nice work buddy! A lot of people don’t realize it is up there. It’s such a nice day up here today as well.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Hey Brandon bro. I appreciate that. I hope you’re having a happy memorial day. It was such an incredible day. It’s been so beautiful. I’m loving it for sure. Take care of my bro it’s nice to hear from you

[@lakesidedave3535]

WOW! HOW KOOOL ! BABE YER TOTALLY MISSIN IT GET WITH THE PROGRAM! LOL

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Hahaha. Sup Dave brother. Lololol. Happy memorial day weekend to you my good buddy.

[@vivianpadilla7025]

Hey Nik Hello Rachel I see you❤ nice sharing Nik I appreciate this share❤

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

You’re welcome Vivian and happy memorial day to you and your family or I should say Memorial Day weekend

[@vivianpadilla7025]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 Thank you Nik happy Memorial Day to you and your amazing family. Monday Memorial Day is my birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 so I’m excited!!!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@vivianpadilla7025 thank you my friend and I hope you enjoy the firework show that we had tonight in big bear

[@shilomifsud9836]

Beautiful view :)

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Thanks Shi

[@shilomifsud9836]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 your welcome ;)

[@tomd1914]

Interesting history, thanks for the story behind it. Lots of old structures and such around that I’ve never seen before.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Tom my friend, you’re so absolutely welcome and happy memorial day weekend to you. I’m hoping if I can remember in the future whenever I go to locations like this in big bear I’ll try to come up with some historical facts that I will look up for all of you, because I think that would be added fun information for all of you guys. And for me it’s great because I wanna learn as much as I can about the town that has given me an opportunity like this.

[@metrolinkfan8007]

Very neat place my good buddy take care Happy Memorial Day weekend.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

You too K

[@metrolinkfan8007]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 Thanks while me sick as a dog I'm relaxing catching up on videos.

[@metrolinkfan8007]

​@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 Can't stop coughing and stuff ugh. 😒

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@metrolinkfan8007 wow wish you weren’t sick. Please take care K

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@metrolinkfan8007 dang K. Just please take care of yourself, my friend.

[@briandavison5018]

So cool, I forgot all about this house.....I have a friend who lives up there who has an under ground home....

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Brian. I wish that that guy was my friend. I would love to live in an underground house I think lol. Hope you’re having a good day brother happy memorial day to you my really good buddy

[@gtyler-2551]

Happy Memorial day weekend to you both, Very interesting information Thanks Nikk ang gorgeous views I'm mean your rings Rachel 😅lol . The lake is also gorgeous Have a great weekend 🎉

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Can you believe those rings? If times don’t get any better for us we could retire with those damn things lol. She deserves it you only live once Hope you’re having a good memorial day G

[@bb-fe9ur]

Thanks for the video and happy memorial day weekend Nikk! Big bear is an incredible area.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

bb hey there. Thanks for checking in and happy memorial day weekend. See you as well. My good buddy I hope you enjoy the fireworks show I’m posting.

[@bb-fe9ur]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 Heck yeah 👍👍

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@bb-fe9ur heck to the yeah

[@maryalicesoto1048]

How awesome! I had no idea. 🏠 Spectacular views too! 🌲🌲🚣🏿 You’re so lucky to have sunshine. Not sure what’s up with this year but I don’t think San Diego has seen the sun since last summer. Lol ☁️

[@danpayan9468]

Same with the O C

[@maryalicesoto1048]

@@danpayan9468 yeah it’s depressing

[@danpayan9468]

Yeah waiting for my e bike on backorder by then we'll have ☀️ keep smiling 😁

[@danpayan9468]

@@maryalicesoto1048 want to ride alpine pedal path

[@maryalicesoto1048]

@@danpayan9468 where’s that? Lol

[@oldfartron1205]

Boy that damn house sure is a damn mess i've been down not far from the damn fishing looking at that damn house for over 20 years thinking about going up & seeing that damn house but now that you showed us that damn house I don't think I really want to go up & see it because I really don't give a damn.!!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Hahahaha. Ron I absolutely love your attitude, my friend. I hope you’re having a great day. I know it’s really nothing special up there only some of the history I guess people might be interested in but I’m right there with you if you’ve seen it from a far you don’t really need to see much more lol. Once again, Ron, I love your attitude, my bro you gave me a really good laugh the last part of your comment. I love it I love it I love it.

[@pattyruiz6]

What's up nick !!!!! Hope you 2 are doing well !!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Sup Ryan. Thank you my man yes things are great or actually I’m lying if I say that but things are OK. I’m always stressing and depressed on something. I’m not trying to bring you down but I wish you a happy memorial day and thanks for checking in on me, my brother I hope you’re doing well.

[@sarahmoran8372]

Hi Nikk and Rachel ❤

[@tango165]

Good stuff!!!

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Especially happy memorial day for you Tango. Very happy memorial day weekend for you my friend.

[@erniesubiajr864]

This is awesome. Is it open to the public?

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Yes, you can hike up the driveway. My wife told me we weren’t supposed to go inside the structure so I didn’t.

[@seanmason5535]

I really enjoy your channel. Any chance on some footage of the beer and BBQ festival this weekend?

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Sean you’re gonna hate me for this my friend but I didn’t even hear about it however, I did record the firework show tonight so hopefully you can let me off the hook a little bit about that if I would’ve known about the beer and barbecue festival I would’ve definitely recorded it for me to be around. Beer is tough because I’m coming up on 10 years clean and sober from alcohol but I’m sure I haven’t had it for so long. It wouldn’t be that hard for me to be around beer that’s why I didn’t record the Oktoberfest last year Thanks for the suggestion, bro

[@seanmason5535]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 all good, "we're livin"

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@seanmason5535 living the dream Sean man. Livin the dream.

[@bridgeguy2447]

Good history you shared. Is that campground? You mind if you give a tour to a campground site? If you get a chance

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Consider it done bro. I’m gonna contact one of these campgrounds and see about a tour. Great idea bridge guy

[@bridgeguy2447]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 only if you get a chance, I know you’re busy as well.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@bridgeguy2447 I’ll make it happen. I promise. The only caveat is I have to make sure the security people at these camping areas will not have a problem with me walking through.

[@bridgeguy2447]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 thats my thoughts too, lets respect security especially campers. They should allow you, its one way to market their place right? Anyways Thanks in advance

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@bridgeguy2447 I’m thinking the same thing, my friend, but believe it or not even the discovery center wants me to get a permit to record there and it doesn’t make any sense to me.

[@time4dirt]

Nikk!! You’ve out done yourself. Great video. Thank you for not only taking us there but teaching us about it. Are you allowed to drive up to dam keepers house? Or hike up only?

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

So that’s a great question when I got up there to the top, my wife convinced me to walk a little bit up the hill and it looks like there’s an Airbnb up there and I couldn’t believe it. We saw people there who looks like normal people who probably don’t live up here so I’m assuming you can but I didn’t take that risk since I didn’t know that’s a great question. I’m sure you wouldn’t get in any trouble. If you did drive up there, just try not to stay up there long.

[@bradscott1930]

What's cracking just got home frome big bear not to bad if you stayed out of the village I'll be back on the fourth of July

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Brad my friend it was an absolute crap show up here and yes, the village was insane but right now there’s of influx of outgoing traffic. Maybe that was an oxymoron lol. Tomorrow, Rachel and I are checking into the nicest hotel that Big Bear has to offer. I never realized it was so nice. So hopefully, you guys enjoy that video. I’m trying to get a tour from management it’s in the village basically I always pointed out when I drive-by but I never realized it was a four-star hotel.

[@bradscott1930]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 yep I can only imagine how the fourth is going to be but I will be at my campsite at pineknot avoiding the village only place I be going is stater bros and big bear coffee roasters

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@bradscott1930 thank you for supporting my friends coffee shop. I really do appreciate that is such a good guy And by the way, best tip I can give you for shopping at the grocery stores during this major holiday weekend is either go right when they open at six or seven in the morning or show up at about 10:30 PM know that sounds crazy but I don’t want you to be waiting all day in lines

[@robynidyllwild6755]

That power station said USGS on it. Earthquake monitoring

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

I appreciate that my good friend another person told me that it’s for earthquakes I think that’s pretty darn cool. And I don’t know what I would do without you guys I would be lost so often. Take care, Robyn

[@phillipmorton6020]

Hi I’m taking a family vacation in big bear in a couple weeks, can anyone tell me if there’s a park up there with basketball courts?

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

My brother, Phillip. You are in luck. For some reason, I can’t figure out the name of the darn park, but I can tell you exactly how to get there. It’s super easy. So when you’re on Big Bear Blvd., take Big Bear Blvd. until you get to McDonald’s and that street is called Eureka on one side of the street is McDonald’s in on the other side of Eureka is 7-Eleven You’re gonna want to turn down that street and it will lead you right up to the park. When you get to Park Avenue, which is maybe two or three streets up, you’ll see the massive park on your left-hand side you can’t miss it It’s on Park Avenue. So once again, take Big Bear Blvd. and I don’t know which direction you’re going to be coming from on Big Bear Blvd. so just head down the side of the street where you see McDonald’s and 7-Eleven and that street is called Eureka and as I said literally just a couple blocks up you’ll come up to Park Avenue and just look to your left and you’ll see the basketball courts I really hope this helps my friend and I hope you and your family have a tremendous time

[@danpayan9468]

USGS earthquake sensor

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

That’s awesome that is awesome. I had no clue and I would’ve never guessed. Thank you Dan the Man.

[@danpayan9468]

Look at green sign says USGS

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@danpayan9468 my only pays attention to things that bring me interest. It’s always been that way. I gotta pay more attention.

[@shilomifsud9836]

oh 1890 the year Groucho Marx was born and 1977 the year Groucho died :(

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

Shi you always have some really cool information bro. I know that name very well.

[@shilomifsud9836]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 lol thanks Nik Yeah one of the Marx brothers ;)

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@shilomifsud9836 I love how much you know about the Hollywood scene. I miss the old Hollywood scene. I used to love live going to movies all the time. I need you to make a movie cause Hollywood is terrible last many years. I mean so lacking creativity and very appeasing instead of well written. We need you Shi. Hollywood sucks

[@shilomifsud9836]

@@bigbearweatherandmore6621 aww thank you Oh my script i feel ots one of those drama films thsgvthe word needs ...i love all movies but there's not enough drama films these days... I got scripts on hold of all genres ...ingitta get my book outvyhere before hopefully I can turn it into a movie.

[@bigbearweatherandmore6621]

@@shilomifsud9836 I would love to be in one of your movies