For those interested in the mining days of old, the Big Bear Discovery Center has information for a self-guided tour called Gold Fever Trail. One should plan at least three hours for this scenic auto tour, which leads to a dozen destinations in Holcomb Valley where gold was found during the 1800s. The drive meanders over 12 miles of unpaved roads that are a little rough in spots, but easily accessible to passenger cars. Destroyed by vandals in a fire in 1983, this tiny cabin probably belonged to an early miner.
Plans are in the works by local historians to get the cabin rebuilt.
Mt. Wilson was named after him. At the time, Big Bear was called Bear Valley. The only lake that existed was Baldwin Lake, then called Bear Lake. Today the grizzlies are gone and Baldwin Lake is dry much of the time, but the history of those days remain, with tales of gold lost and found. He joined other prospectors in an area near where today's Stater Bros. Shopping Center sits, but the findings were meager.