1947 Map of Lucerne Valley

About this map

San Bernardino Mountains rise sharply above the high desert floor in this late 1940s survey, illustrating a landscape defined by the transition from arid flats to timbered heights. The northern half is dominated by Lucerne Dry Lake and the Pickaninny Buttes, where remote outposts like the Box S Ranch and the Midway Sch served a sparse ranching community. Further south, the terrain climbs into the gold-bearing districts of Holcomb Valley, a region once booming with activity. Numerous sites like the Doble Mine (Aband) and Blackhawk Mine (Aband) indicate a legacy of resource extraction that shaped the local geography. At the southern edge, the developing community of Big Bear City sits on the shores of Big Bear Lake, showcasing the early infrastructure of this alpine retreat, including a Landing Strip and the Big Bear Lake Ranger Sta.