Big Bear Dam Keepers House
In October of 1890, the historic Dam Keeper’s House was built using hand-cut granite blocks from the same quarry that provided the stones for the first dam. For nearly a century, this was home to over a dozen dam keepers and their families. The famed Bill Knickerbocker and his family were early residents between 1909 and 1918. After the Municipal Water district purchased the lake in 1977, and water would no longer be released for irrigation, there would be no need for a resident dam keeper.
The water company returned the historic house to the US Forest Service. The current Dam Keepers House consists of the original walls. The site offers view of the Big Bear Dam and a peek into the early irrigation efforts of the San Bernardino valley.
General Information
This building is a historic site, and visitors must not enter the interior of the structure.
Address: 40971 North Shore Drive, Highway 38 Fawnskin, CA 92333
Phone: (909) 382-2790
Hours: Thursday-Monday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday & Wednesday Closed
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 34.24222222
Longitude: -116.8416667
Directions
From the Big Bear area, the access road is roughly 3/10 of a mile East of State 38 on Highway 18.
The access road is on the South side of State Highway 18.
Follow the access road to the Dam Keepers House on your right.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
