MILEPOSTS #1092

By Ken Brafman, Image from ROWHS Collection

TITLE: FRANK A. TETLEY, RENAISSANCE MAN: One of the many so-called self-made men who played an important role in the early years of mountain development was Frank A. Tetley. His family immigrated to America from England in 1868, when he was two, and settled in Massachusetts. He left school at 14 to work in a print shop, soon becoming a journeyman then returning to school and getting a business diploma. Marrying at 19, he and his bride went west, lured by the talk of Riverside’s beauty and perfect climate. His first job was as clerk and bookkeeper at the Glenwood Tavern, today’s Mission Inn. In the coming years every enterprise he became involved with seemed to prosper. He worked as a clerk in his boss’ real estate firm and eventually bought the business. As an insurance broker and realtor, he is said to have handled at least half of Riverside’s Main Street real estate transactions. To capitalize on the growing citrus industry in the area Tetley started a wholesale nursery business, selling citrus stock to ranchers. He had great success in the area of water development, bringing about 1200 acres of prime citrus land in production at Arlington Heights. Today one of Tetley’s most enduring legacies is his role as developer of the Valley of Enchantment, one of the early resort communities on the western end of the mountain. His knowledge of water rights and his established banking relationships were a solid foundation for achieving his goal. Tetley added roads, drilled wells, and later brought electricity. He established the Mutual Water Company. Of top priority to Tetley was improving the road linking the mountain resorts and San Bernardino. During his five-year tenure as State Highway Commissioner Tetley presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony opening the new Waterman Canyon Road in 1933, this week’s image. The improved route eliminated the switchbacks between Panorama Point and Crest Forest Drive, lessened some of the steep grades, and assured access to Tetley’s resort area.

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