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==History== ===Pre-colonial period=== The first humans to inhabit [[Big Bear Valley]] were the [[Serrano people|Serrano Indians]], who trace their beginnings to [[Bear Valley, San Bernardino County, California|Bear Valley]].<ref>Keller, Russell L. (2008). ''Big Bear (Postcard History: California)''. Arcadia Publishing. Page 7. {{ISBN|9780738559124}}.</ref> '''Serrano''' means ''mountaineers'', or ''those of the Sierras''.<ref>Kroeber, Alfred Louis (1925). ''Handbook of the Indians of California''. Courier Corporation. Page 611. {{ISBN|9780486233680}}.</ref> The Serrano people that settled much of the [[San Bernardino Mountains]], called themselves Yuhaviatam, or: ''people of the pines''. It is estimated that the Serrano natives first settled in Big Bear between 1,500 and 2,000 years ago.<ref>Hickman, Jim (2007). ''Big Bear Trails: A Guide to the Trails In and Around Big Bear Valley''. Mojave Copy & Printing. Page 63.</ref> The Serranos had both winter and summer settlements throughout the area. While their winter village was located in [[Lucerne Valley]], they relocated to villages in the San Bernardino mountains during summer, as the altitude provided cooler temperatures. Villages were often located by rivers and lakes, however, mountain hunting camps were also established on higher elevations. Besides hunting, they also consumed pinyon nuts, mesquite beans, screw-beans, juniper berries and seeds. One of four major Serrano ethnographic sites was located in Big Bear City, called: Kayah-pia-t. Big Bear, and Lucerne Valley clans, both belonged to the same tribe: the ''Coyote Pervetum''.<ref>''San Bernardino National Forest (N.F.), Lucerne Valley to Big Bear Valley Transmission Line/Substation Project, Construction and Operation of Three Electrical Power Facilities: Environmental Impact Statement'' (1998). United States Forest Service. Page 3-123.</ref> Settling here because of the region's many natural resources, they harvested acorns and herbs, but also hunted deer, rabbits, and other wildlife. A number of mortar holes can be seen in Big Bear City; these holes made by the Serranos, were utilized to ground acorns into meals.<ref>Bellamy, Stanley E. (2007). ''Running Springs''. Arcadia Publishing. Page 10. {{ISBN|9780738546797}}.</ref> The oldest known remains of a human settlement in Big Bear Valley can be seen at the Indian Grinding Rocks in Big Bear City, called: [[The Eye of God (Big Bear)|The Eye of God]], which is a sacred site to the Serrano people.<ref>Hickman, Jim (2007). ''Big Bear Trails: A Guide to the Trails In and Around Big Bear Valley''. Mojave Copy & Printing. Pages 62-63.</ref> The Serrano's creation narrative took place at ''The Eye of God'', which was known as Hatauva.<ref>Fincher-Reichardt, Barbara (1983). ''The Indians of Big Bear Valley''. Big Bear City, CA: Big Bear Valley Historical Society. Page 2.</ref> The earliest known contact with European settlers in Big Bear occurred when Spanish Father [[Francisco Garcés]] arrived during his 1774-1776 expedition.<ref>Fincher-Reichardt, Barbara (1983). ''The Indians of Big Bear Valley''. Big Bear City, CA: Big Bear Valley Historical Society. Pages 22 and 1.</ref> Another source states, that the first contact happened in 1845 during a punitive expedition against the Native-Americans.<ref>''San Bernardino National Forest (N.F.), Lucerne Valley to Big Bear Valley Transmission Line/Substation Project, Construction and Operation of Three Electrical Power Facilities: Environmental Impact Statement'' (1998). United States Forest Service. Page 3-124.</ref>
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