Wrightwood Historical Society’s museum volunteer Margaret Ashworth is happy to tell you all about the town’s history.
Wrightwood always reminds me of the towns and communities I’ve seen in California’s lower Sierra range, with plenty of pine trees, powdery snow in the winter and a getaway feeling that makes you feel relaxed from the daily grind.
It’s several years since I’ve visited the community in the Angeles National Forest, so in late October 2016 I make the easy drive from I-15, then along SR-138 and finally up SR-2 to reach Wrightwood Village. I have another motive for my visit. In August 2016 the town was threatened by the terrible Blue Cut Fire and I want to see for myself its impact on the area.
I am pleased to see that the town and its hearty residents are thriving. Combined efforts by the Forest Service, Cal Fire, and San Bernardino County firefighters, along with mutual aid from other fire agencies, were able to protect the community from the fire. It was a close call, however.
Wrightwood is a charming community, and the feeling of being up in the mountains, away from the noise and bustle of urban life is restorative, even if y ou just visit for a day.
Driving up SR-2, also known west of the town as the Angeles Crest Highway brings me right into downtown Wrightwood. The best way to explore the shops is to park and walk around. Many of the retail businesses and eateries are located within just a few blocks.
Since today is Saturday, I want to visit the Wrightwood Historical Society’s museum, located in an old, repurposed firehouse along Cedar Street. The museum is only open on Saturdays, so my visit is timely, and I want to get a sense of the community’s history.
The building is easy to spot because there is a large fire engine painted on each of what used to be the firehouse’s two garage doors. Two large carved wooden signs, “Wrightwood” and “Museum” are high above.
I step through the entrance door and instantly I am greeted with a warm smile from a lady behind a counter. “Hello, and welcome,” she says.
Her name is Margaret Ashworth, the museum’s volunteer today. Her husband George is busy working a copier machine. They have made Wrightwood their home for 49 years.
Margaret (shown in the photo above) is happy to give me a quick tour, and as we walk through the rooms I see a wonderful collection of memorabilia, everything from old prospector gold mining tools to items showing the town’s beginnings. Outside, Margaret encourages me to look inside two reproductions of cabins with very small rooms, examples of how visitors would “rough it” during a stay.
During the winter season, Wrightwood is a popular place for skiers to stay or dine since the Mountain High Ski Resort is just a few miles to the west and across the Los Angeles County line.
When you visit, I suggest you take SR-138 and then up SR-2. The other route into Wrightwood, Lone Pine Canyon Road, goes through some of the worst of the burn areas and the hills on either side are terribly scarred. But as I learn from my visit, Wrightwood and the pine-covered hills around it still make for a wonderful visit.
