Tag: San Bernardino National Forest

Two Gun Bill’s Saloon

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Located at stop 3 along the Gold Fever Off Road trail is the supposed location of Two Gun Bill’s Saloon in Holcomb Valley, California. The Gold Fever Off Road Trail is a back country drive by some historical sites in Holcomb Valley, in the San Bernardino Mountains. Holcomb Valley located just west of Big Bear, California is the site of the largest gold rush in Southern California.

The trail head for Two Gun Bill's Saloon along the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino County, California
The trail head for Two Gun Bill’s Saloon along the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino County, California

Two Gun Bill’s Saloon was a famous saloon, dance hall and bordello which offered a place to relax and unwind in the Holcomb Valley during the gold rush. The saloon exists off the wages from a population of about 2000 people during its hey day. The trailhead starts a very short 100 yard hike to the location of a very large cabin which is known to be occupied as late as the 1930s.

The “white lie” which is explained the Gold Fever Trail self guided auto tour pamphlet, is that the cabin at the destination of this hike is not the actual site of the notorious saloon. The actual site of the saloon is found about 1.5 miles to the west, if the south east corner of the junction of 3N16 and 3N12.

Summary

NameTwo Gun Bill’s Saloon
LocationHolcomb Valley, San Bernardino County, California
Latitude, Longitude34.3055, -116.8970
Gold Fever Orr Road Trail Marker3

Trail Map

Jonathon Tibbets Grasshopper Quartz Mill

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Stop number four along the Gold Fever Off Road Trail is Holcomb Valley, is Jonathon Tibbets Grasshopper Quartz Mill. The Gold Fever Off Road Trail is a back country drive by some historical sites in Holcomb Valley, in the San Bernardino Mountains. Holcomb Valley located just west of Big Bear, California is the site of the largest gold rush in Southern California.

Jonathon Tibbets Grasshopper Quartz Mill is stop number four on the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley, California.
Jonathon Tibbets Grasshopper Quartz Mill is stop number four on the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley, California.

The location marker is the start of a short hike of about 300 yards past mounds of sand and the remains of a water pump. There is nothing remaining of the mill itself.

Located in the “center of activity” was a high piece of ground known as “Chinamen’s Knoll” in Holcomb Valley. Here Tibbetts operated a Pico Steam Engine powered stamp mill. Heavy iron heads rose and fell pulverizing ore from John Bull’s seven mammoth ledges of honeycombed quartz. The sand mound are old tailings from processing of gold ore by the mill.

Grasshopper Quartz Mill Summary

NameJonathon Tibbets Grasshopper Quartz Mill
LocationHolcomb Valley, San Bernardino County, California
Latitude, Longitude34.3041, -116.8924
Gold Fever Off Road Trail Marker4

Trail Map

References

Hangman’s Tree – Gold Fever Trail

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The Hangman’s Tree is a point of interest found along the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The Hangman's Tree found along the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley, California
The Hangman’s Tree found along the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley, California

As miners and prospectors came to seek their fortune, outlaws, claim jumpers, gamblers and other trouble makes followed close behind. In late August, 1861, Holcomb valley is overrun by a group of organized horse thieves from Salt Lake City. The group, known as the Button’s Gang take over was so complete, the simply took over any cabin or settlement and appropriated any supplies and equipment within.

In the first two years since the discovery of Holcomb valley, over 50 murders are committed in the area. “Hell Roaring Johnson” is shot and killed for trying to fix the first election to be hold in the valley. Some outlaws evaded justice, but those not as fortunate found their reward at the Hangman’s Tree.

The tree labelled as the “Hangmans Tree” is not the original tree used in the 1800’s. However, it is commonly mistaken for the famous tree from Holcomb’s history. The remains of the original tree is believed to be located where a stump exists about 100 feet east of the Bellville Cabin.

Point of Interest Summary

NameHangman’s Tree
LocationHolcomb Valley, San Bernardino County, California
Latitude, Longitude34.3034, -116.8891
Gold Fever Trail Marker5

Hangman’s Tree Trail Map

Wilbur’s Grave

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Charles Wilbur’s Grave is a point of interest located in Holcomb Valley near the Holcomb Valley Campground, San Bernardino, California.

Charles Wilbur's Grave located in Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino, California
Charles Wilbur’s Grave located in Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino, California

In 1859, prospecting in Holcomb valley lead to the discovery of gold and one of the largest deposits in southern California. Charles Wilbur was a placer gold miner in Holcomb Valley in the who moved into the area in the 1880’s. Trusted and liked by his fellow miners, he was elected to establish boundaries so that the gold claims could be accurately established in the valley. Later, Wilbur was elected to the first tax assessor in San Bernardino County.

Prior to his death, he let it be known that he wanted to be buried next to his favorite location in the San Bernardino Mountains. Located across the road from Wilbur’s pond is the marker for Wilbur’s grave. Wilburs pond is a settling pond for gold miners and may have been the site of several placer claims. It should be noted that he is buried in the area and not at the specific location of the marker. The location is a well marked popular destination and local landmark to back-road explorers, hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and geocachers alike.

Wilbur’s Grave Summary

NameWilbur’s Grave
LocationHolcomb Valley, San Bernardino, California
Latitude, Longitude34.3062, -116.9003

Point of Interest Map

Wilbur’s grave is located along the 3N07 just off the Holcomb Valley Road, 3N16. The Grave is located near Wilburs pond, which is seasonal.

References

Belleville California – San Bernardino County Ghost Town

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The cabin at the Belleville California townsite is not original but moved to the location to represent the style of the structures of the town.
The cabin at the Belleville California townsite is not original but moved to the location to represent the style of the structures of the town.


Belleville is a historic community located in the Holcomb Valley region of San Bernardino County, California. The area’s history dates back to the mid-19th century when it played a significant role in the California Gold Rush.

Holcomb Valley, where Belleville is situated, was discovered to be rich in gold deposits in 1860. The news quickly spread, and a gold rush ensued as prospectors from all over flocked to the area in search of their fortunes. The population of the valley boomed, and various mining camps and settlements sprang up, including Belleville.

Belleville was founded in 1860 and named after James V. Belleville, one of the early prospectors in the area. The town rapidly grew and became a central hub for the Holcomb Valley mining district. It served as a supply center for nearby mining operations, providing essential goods and services to miners and their families.

The town boasted several businesses, including general stores, saloons, hotels, and blacksmith shops. It also had a post office, which opened in 1863. Belleville’s population reached its peak during the 1860s, with estimates ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand residents.

The remains of an Arrastres located in Belleville, San Bernardino, CA
The remains of an Arrastres located in Belleville, San Bernardino, CA

Mining was the primary economic activity in Belleville and the surrounding Holcomb Valley. Miners used various methods to extract gold from the area, including placer mining and hydraulic mining. Placer mining involved using pans, rockers, and sluices to separate gold from the gravel and sand of the valley floor. Hydraulic mining utilized high-pressure water jets to wash away hillsides and expose gold-bearing gravels.

However, the gold production in Holcomb Valley began to decline in the late 1860s, and by the 1870s, many miners had moved on to other gold fields. As the gold rush subsided, so did the population of Belleville. The town gradually declined, and most of its buildings were dismantled or moved to other locations.

Today, little remains of Belleville and the once-thriving mining operations of Holcomb Valley. Some remnants of mining structures, such as mine shafts and tunnels, can still be found in the area. The site of Belleville itself is marked by a historical marker, providing a glimpse into the region’s rich mining heritage.

Belleville Historic Monument
Belleville Historic Monument

Belleville Town Summary

NameBelleville
LocationHolcomb Valley, San Bernardino, CA
Latitude, Longitude34.3012, -116.8857
Elevation7,355 Feet
GNIS
Population1,500
Gold Fever Trail Marker7

Belleville Trail Map

References