Arnold – what’s the story?

I enjoy learning about the history of my favorite places. The Sierra Nevada foothills have a fascinating history that tracks the history of California in many ways, while also providing a glimpse into the rise of tourism in California. Arnold itself has a rich history rooted in logging, ranching, and the growth of mountain tourism. Which brings us to today and our Happy Lake Chalet. Here’s a glimpse into Arnold’s past:

Ranching & logging (late 1800s – early 1900s)

Before becoming a place where families could experience the awesome beauty of the Giant Sequoias and the simple rhythm of lake life, the land that is now Arnold was home to two ranches, operated by the Dunbar family of nearby Murphys. They raised livestock, grew hay, potatoes, apples, and ran a sawmill, feeding the nation’s demand for timber. By the early 1900s, logging had become the lifeblood of the local economy, with sawmill camps and logging camps springing up alongside rail lines operated by Southern Pacific and Union Pacific.

The birth of Arnold (1927–1930s)

Arnold was named after Bob and Bernice Arnold, who in 1927 transformed an old roadhouse into the Ebbetts Pass Inn & Restaurant, catering to weary travelers along the scenic Ebbett’s Pass. By 1928, Bob and Bernice had added three cabins to their roadhouse. In 1934, Bob became the first local postmaster. Ebbett’s Pass Inn & Restaurant became the core of a growing community that is now Arnold.

Tourism takes root

Calaveras Big Trees State Park, just 4 miles away from Arnold, was established in 1931 to protect the region’s ancient sequoia groves. These impressive trees have been a statewide attraction since their discovery by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852. Arnold became a popular base for hikers, nature lovers, and families. By the 1950s and ’60s, rustic cabins, summer homes, and family-run lodges dotted the landscape, welcoming visitors from the Central Valley and the Bay Area looking to escape the heat, crowds and press of urban life. To meet the growing demand for recreation, private neighborhoods like Blue Lake Springs began offering exclusive amenities for guests and homeowners. Blue Lake Springs’ Fly-In Lake was created around this time, with ambitious plans to deliver visitors to local cabins via seaplanes. Although the seaplane plans never fully took off, Fly-In Lake quickly became a local favorite for swimming, paddling and fishing. This quiet, swimmable lake surrounded by forest is one of our family’s favorite places for whiling away a summer day. Happy Lake Chalet visitors can use our guest pass to get access to Fly-In Lake for an additional fee.

Community & conservation

Today, Arnold has around 3,200 residents, with a mix of year-round residents and second homes. Locals continue to build and improve the Arnold Rim Trail, a scenic trail offering sweeping views of the region. It’s on our family’s bucket list to hike the whole trail. The Sierra Nevada Logging Museum interprets the region’s logging heritage, offering insight into its impact on the development of Arnold, including its environmental repercussions.

Today

Once a rugged outpost of ranchers and lumberjacks, Arnold is now a friendly mountain enclave, with a small-town vibe and a growing tourism industry. Arnold is dotted with private lakes and recreation areas that are the heart of its small local communities, like Blue Lake Springs, which is home to Happy Lake Chalet. For people more familiar with the hustle and bustle of places like Lake Tahoe, Arnold offers a welcome, slower pace.

To plan a visit to Happy Lake Chalet and experience Arnold for yourself, get in touch.