By Ken Brafman, Image from ROWHS Collection
TITLE: CLUB OAKS IN WATERMAN CANYON: At one time a 15-minute drive from downtown San Bernardino would bring you to a location called the “Waterman Canyon Resort Area.” With the Arrowhead Springs Hotel no longer being a player following World War II Club Oaks became the chief source of entertainment in the foothills. Considered secluded at a cool elevation of 2,000 to 3,000 feet, the location offered an atmosphere of green conifers and live oaks. Once the main highway to the high mountain points, (Old) Waterman Canyon Road left the new high gear road at the Arrowhead Springs arch. The old road was the much-used route to reach Club Oaks near the head of the canyon. Visitors were surrounded by nature. At seasons the wooded canyon stream offered fishing. The Club sponsored a very competitive baseball team, most of the teams being sponsored by competing bars and restaurants. This week’s image is from the Russ Keller archives. It’s a cocktail napkin from Club Oaks circa 1950. It gives a glimpse into the entertainment offerings which included fine dining, live entertainment, and swimming. The club was owned by Joe Vasquez. Gambling took off in the 1950s. For many years a story was told that took on legendary proportions. On June 6th, 1957, the Club Oaks gambling den was filled with a cast of characters straight out of “Guys and Dolls.” Most were Easterners with criminal records involving illicit gaming. Eighteen were arrested. The irony is that none showed up for their arraignment. Bail had been set for a maximum of $25 to accommodate the penny ante games in town. In 1960, Vasquez and his family quietly left the country and headed for west Africa, where Ghana had just become independent from Britain. Obviously valued for his background, he was named the first “gambling commissioner” of Ghana, seeking a source of needed revenue from casino gambling.