Chimney Rock

Two plaques stand at this pullout and they do not agree. The state's, set in 1986, says the Indians defended themselves fiercely, were driven into the desert, and lost their mountain gathering grounds to encroachment in the years afterward. The older one beside it calls this the last Indian fight in southern California, and has a posse surprising a camp, killing and wounding many, thus ending the hostilities. The same February day in 1867. The accounts do not even agree on who was camped here.

What the plaques say

[Chimney Rock — the state plaque, placed 1986] Conflicts between Indians and white settlers over the rich lands of the San Bernardino Mountains culminated in the battle at Chimney Rock on February 16, 1867. Although the Indians defended themselves fiercely, they were forced to retreat into the desert. In the years following, the Indians' traditional mountain food-gathering areas were lost to white encroachment. [The Last Indian Fight in Southern California — the plaque standing beside it] In January 1867 Indians left their camp east of Chimney Rock to go into the San Bernardino Mountains where they looted and burned several cabins and a sawmill. In retaliation, a possee surprised the Indians at their camp and killed and wounded many, thus ending hostilities.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Big Bear Solar Observatory — 14 mi
  A reservoir dug for orange groves turned out to be one of the steadiest places on the continent to look at the sun.
• Bear Valley Dam — 15 mi
  Big Bear Lake is an irrigation reservoir first, and in 1977 the town had to buy the dam to keep water in its own view.
• Doble — 15 mi
  Three men with money reopened this mine and all three failed. The town is named after the second one.
• Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve — 15 mi
  Pebble plains occur in this valley and nowhere else on earth, and the flowers on them are small enough that you have to lie down.

More markers nearby

• Old Bear Valley Dam — 14 mi
• Holcomb Valley — 16 mi
• Daley Toll Road Monument — 19 mi
• Mormon Road — 22 mi