Historical Timeline
Pre-1800s: The area that would become Wrightwood was home to the Serrano people, who called themselves the Yuharetum — “people of the pines.” They lived seasonally in the mountains, hunting game, gathering plants, and holding ceremonies in the forested canyons.
1812: A powerful earthquake, believed to have started near Wrightwood, shook Southern California. The San Juan Capistrano quake damaged missions across the region and left a lasting mark on early California history.
1854: Isaac Slover, one of the region’s earliest Anglo settlers and bear hunters, was killed by a grizzly near the Wrightwood area. This story added to the frontier reputation of the San Gabriel Mountains.
1886: Sumner Wright moved to California and eventually discovered the beauty of the Swarthout Valley. He later bought land from prospector Samuel Guffy and started building what would become the town of Wrightwood.
1924: Facing financial pressure, Sumner Wright subdivided his land into mountain lots and officially formed the village of Wrightwood. It quickly became a getaway for people looking for pine trees and fresh mountain air.
1926: William Bristol built the Acorn Lodge. This rustic lodge became a social hub for visitors and gave Wrightwood a reputation as a relaxing mountain resort.
1961: Wrightwood got its first cable TV service — a big deal for a small mountain town that had been pretty isolated for most of its early years.
1967: The Southern California Gas Company brought natural gas to the area, making life more convenient for full-time residents and visitors alike.
1970: The opening of Interstate 15 over Cajon Pass made it easier for folks in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles to reach Wrightwood, bringing in more weekenders and winter visitors.
1973: The road to Crystal Lake reopened after years of closure, reconnecting Wrightwood with the rest of the San Gabriel range and improving access from the south.
1976: Wrightwood got its first paramedic team — Chuck Blakeslee and Dave Faust — giving the community better emergency medical services in a remote mountain setting.
2016: The Blue Cut Fire led to mandatory evacuations in Wrightwood. Flames threatened homes and forced thousands of High Desert residents to flee.
2020: The Bobcat Fire burned through the San Gabriels, and Wrightwood was again on evacuation watch. Wildfire danger had become a growing concern.
2024: The Bridge Fire hit close to home, forcing the entire town to evacuate. It was a stark reminder of mountain communities’ vulnerability to nature’s unpredictability.
Present Day: Wrightwood remains a peaceful, pine-covered town in the San Gabriel Mountains. It’s known for skiing, hiking, small-town charm, and neighbors who look out for one another.