By Ken Brafman, Image from Ken Brafman Collection

TITLE: PINECREST – THE EARLY YEARS: This week’s image is a postcard from the Pinecrest Mountain Resort. It’s an artist rendering of the Roundhouse inside the circular pavilion on the Pinecrest grounds. Pinecrest was built by Dr. John Baylis, an important pioneer who had a great love for our mountains and especially, for our trees. He arrived in San Bernardino in 1887 as a new doctor and became chief physician for the Santa Fe Railway, a career lasting 57 years. He was a founding member of the exclusive Arrowhead Mountain Club, and when his tenure there ended Baylis decided he would like to create a resort that would cater to visitors of lesser means. When a local mill expressed interest in purchasing 160 acres next to the Squirrel Inn for logging, he sprung into action. With backing obtained on the strength of his reputation he bought the entire parcel and began plans to build his dream resort. By 1907 many cabins had been built, each with a rustic log cabin style. A lodge sprang up as well as stables, sheds, a blacksmith shop, and a main office. The pavilion was unique, with a central fireplace that was also the structural support for the roof. It was used as a dance floor as well as a large dining room. By the time Pinecrest officially opened in 1909 more cabins, a garage and even an electric plant had been added. In addition to the working-class visitors Baylis had envisioned, Hollywood also took notice. There were frequent location shoots, and notables of the day such as Gloria Swanson and other silent stars stayed there. Lake Arrowhead Village’s arrival in the early 1920s took away a lot of tourist business, and Pinecrest went into a decline. The resort has changed hands a few times during the past century but Pinecrest has survived, and Dr. John Baylis’ vision has endured.