Near Lucerne Valley in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Woman Springs Ranch

Photographed by Michael Kindig, January 16, 2011

1. Old Woman Springs Ranch Marker

Inscription. This area of Lucern Valley became known as Old Woman Springs when a government survey party discovered a number of Indian women camping here in 1856. The original water source, now called Cottonwood Springs, is directly in front of you. In 1907 cattleman Albert "Swarty" Swarthout homesteaded Old Woman Springs Ranch for use as winter pasture. He and partner Charlie Martin, cattle rustler and later police chief in San Bernardino, puchased Heart Bar Ranch, south of Big Bear, for summer range. By 1918 both had sold out. In 1921 Swarthout again bought the Heart Bar, this time with San Bernardino businessman J. Dale Gentry. Their cattle were driven to Heart Bar Ranch via Rattlesnake Canyon in the spring, returning to Old Woman Springs Ranch in the Fall. In 1938 they had a falling out. The case was litigated until 1947, when "Swarty" was awarded Heart Bar Ranch and Gentry received Old Woman Springs Ranch. "Swarty" spent the rest of his life at Heart Bar dying in 1963 at age 91. Historic Old Woman Springs Ranch remains private property to this day. The ranch consists of over 400 acres of deeded land with water and grazing rights

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to another 1600 acres.

Erected 2004 by Billy Holcomb Chapter No. 1069 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus in cooperation with Old Woman Springs Ranch & the Morongo Basin Historical Society. (Marker Number 118.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 34° 24.423′ N, 116° 43.194′ W. Marker is near Lucerne Valley, California, in San Bernardino County. It is on Old Woman Springs Road (California Route 247) west of Stoney Ridge Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lucerne Valley CA 92356, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

Photographed by Michael Kindig, January 16, 2011

2. Old Woman Springs Ranch Marker

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Pigmy Cabin (approx. 11.6 miles away); Bellevill Holcomb Valley (approx. 12 miles away); People Came and Left This Meadow (approx. 12 miles away); Main Museum Building (approx. 12.1 miles away); a different marker also named Holcomb Valley (approx. 12.1 miles away); 5 Stamp Mill (approx. 12.1 miles away); Woodland Club Caddy Shack (approx. 12.2 miles away); Willie Boy (approx. 13.1 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Holcomb Valley (was approx. 12 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Quick History of Lucerne Valley. It is said the Indians used to leave their elders camped there while the young ones went into the mountains after pinion nuts. (Submitted on January 19, 2012.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 4,539 times since then and 210 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.