I live close to the Arrowhead Villas in Lake Arrowhead and it's one of my favorite neighborhoods. The Villas is the home of the
Tudor House and Bracken Fern Manor and it's loaded with history. Here is an excerpt of an article from the
Alpenhorn News with some of the fascinating details of its Hollywood star heyday and mobster ties:
By Karen Burton
Roaring Twenties at the Tudor House and Manor
"Rumor has it that mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, gunned down at his girlfriend’s Los Angeles estate and front man for the Las Vegas’ 1940s Flamingo Hotel, was Kingpin for Club Arrowhead of the Pines, a private speakeasy, bordello, and casino opened in the Arrowhead Villas area of Lake Arrowhead in the mid 1920s. More rumor has it that the money behind it came from the Chicago syndicate. Depending on whom you talk to, some folks say the rumors are true. Others say they are not."
"Former innkeeper and owner, Cheryl Weaver, of Bracken Fern Manor across the street from the Tudor House, insists the rumors are true. Having restored and operated the secluded bed and breakfast inn from 1989 to 2010, and an avid historian, she combed documents in her work to have the remote Arrowhead Villa’s property designated as a county and state Historical Point of Interest. She says, “Anyone can go to the Arrowhead Villas Mutual Service Company and research the original administration documents that are on file.”"
"Other historians support that some of these Prohibition-era legends may be true. With the 18th Amendment banning the production, selling, transporting and importing of alcoholic beverages in 1920, bootlegging became a booming business. While America officially went dry, speakeasy clubs were in there heyday, and the behind-the-pines, hidden mountain Club “quickly became very popular with the Hollywood crowd … with dancing, drinking and gambling,” cites mountain historian Rhea-Francis Tetley."
"The underground spring water that flowed through the property was used to make high-quality bootlegging gin. Tetley confirms, “It is believed and somewhat documented that movie stars, such as Jack Benny, drove up to vacation in Lake Arrowhead, partied at the lake, and then filled their vehicles’ ‘second gas tanks’…before leaving for home.”"
"According to Weaver, other celebrities and moguls included Randolph Hearst, Clark Cable, Carol Lombard, Marion Davies, and the Marx Brothers, The Atkins Development Corporation of Los Angeles, which Weaver believes was fronted with funds by the syndicate, started developing the property in 1924 and opened its doors around 1926. One of the first California time shares, $250 bought a lifetime membership with a guaranteed annual two week stay. Courtesy of Keller, its brochure hyped “160 acres of wooded land, ten miles of private roads, clubhouse, cottages, and every accessory for recreation…” In the surrounding woods above the Club House, the Bath House, the spring-fed swimming pool, a private gas station, horse stables, putting greens and tennis courts, were the 80 original cabins, rented for $2.00/day, some of which are still standing in Arrowhead Villas today." Click here for full article.
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| Arrowhead Villas Cabin in the Woods |
I took a client around yesterday looking at properties for sale in the Villas and I was really taken by this wonderful cabin. It would make a great writers retreat and/or investment property you could rent out to vacationers when you're not using it yourself. When I opened the front door all I saw were windows with dappled sunlight coming through the cedar, pine and dogwood trees. Just gorgeous. The house is on 2 lots and is surrounded by vacant lots on either side for greater privacy. The deck looks out onto the forest. It's so peaceful and lovely. The kitchen has been upgraded and it's just all over a great deal. I wish I could buy it! It has 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. The asking price is $179,000 The photos don't do it justice. I couldn't capture the feeling of nature, peace and seclusion this cabin has. Please call or message me at 213-634-2298 or
email me if you're interested in seeing it or for more information about other available properties in the Arrowhead area.
(listing courtesy of Barry Lieberman at Remax Lakeside)
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| I couldn't capture it with my camera but the forest views from the windows are so gorgeous. |
Please "like" my Lake Arrowhead Living Facebook page to follow all my mountain lake adventures. If you're interested in learning more about the real estate opportunities up here send me an email at lassezfair@gmail.com I'll be happy to show you around and I can even take you out on the lake kayaking!
Sarah Lassez
Realtor® at Keller Williams Lake Arrowhead
CalBRE #02004414
