During Southern California’s golden era of tourism in the early 1900s, Mount Baldy became home to one of the most unique resorts in the west. The aptly-named Baldy Summit Inn was perched atop the 10,064 feet summit of Mount Baldy, making it the loftiest resort in the region.

The resort’s founder, William B. Dewey was a local pioneer who first climbed Baldy in 1882. Born in Iowa in 1866, Dewey traveled west as a young man, and settled in the Ontario area.

He held a number of different jobs throughout his life, but his primary occupation was listed as horticulturist, or orchard tender. Dewey became a well-known local character, and his personal life was a lively mix of adventures and misfortunes.

Dewey must have been drawn to the massive granite summit that loomed over the Inland Valley, and his frequent climbing exploits on Mount Baldy were mentioned in newspaper accounts throughout his life.

The mountain was originally named Mount San Antonio by early explorers, and the title was made official in 1891 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Most local residents had been calling the gray-topped peak “Baldy” or “Old Baldy” for many years, so the two names have coexisted since the pioneer times.

The first ascent of Mount Baldy may have been made by the local Serrano Indians, and there is no definitive record of a first ascent by white settlers. Miners began exploring the slopes of Baldy in the early 1870s, and a number of small mining operations were established at the site of today’s Baldy Notch ski area by the late 1870s.

Around 1882, Dewey went to work for George and Benjamin Chaffey, founders of the newly established Ontario colony. In 1892, Dewey traveled to Australia with the Chaffey brothers, and spent six years helping them develop two new farming colonies.

In the 1890s, the mountains of Southern California were becoming popular locations for building rustic resorts that catered to outdoor enthusiasts. In 1894, Dell’s Camp near the present-day Baldy Village was opened to accommodate the new crowds of mountain tourists. Dell’s became a popular resort, and the camp served as a starting point for many of the hearty souls who made the challenging hike to Baldy’s summit.

In 1906, Dewey married Nannie Marshall, and the couple settled in Ontario.

Their only child, William Houston Dewey, was born on July 6, 1908.

Dewey’s passion for Baldy evolved into a business endeavor in 1910, when he leased five acres of land on the weather-beaten summit to build a summer resort. Dewey believed he could attract customers to the summit if there was comfortable lodging that allowed the trekkers to avoid packing in all the heavy necessities for an overnight trip.

He first named the resort “Camp Angelus,” but quickly changed the name to “Baldy Summit Inn.”

Visitors could travel up to the summit camp by horseback or foot, and rest there while enjoying a 360-degree panorama and a mountain sunset. Guests could then spend the night in comfort, and experience a spectacular sunrise the next day. The Dewey’s partnered to operate the camp, with Nannie cooking the meals, and William taking care of supplies and maintenance.

The Baldy Summit Inn opened for business in the summer of 1910. During its three years of operation, the camp was open from June 15 to October 1 due to the potential for extreme weather in other months.

Six large tents were set up and firmly anchored to a gradually slopping rocky area, less than 100 feet from the actual summit. The Dewey’s later built a sturdy stone shelter to protect their supplies from the weather and animals.

Considering the remoteness of the camp, rates were reasonable, with meals and beds costing $1 each. Pack trains brought supplies, mail, and guests to the Baldy Summit Inn three times a week, or more often if needed.

The first season at the camp became frighteningly memorable when a pair of eagles attacked the Dewey’s 2-year-old son. One of the predators had the terrified boy in its talons, when Bruno, the Dewey’s family dog leaped at the birds, and saved the boy’s live by forcing the attackers to turn him loose. News of the rescue spread quickly, and Bruno became an instant hero and local celebrity.

By all accounts, the Baldy Summit Inn had a steady flow of customers, but disaster struck in 1913, when the resort burned to the ground. Dewey found the camp burned when he made his first trip of the season to the summit in early June. It was never determined whether the fire was caused by was arson, or a natural cause, but the devastation was so complete, the Deweys decided not to rebuild.

Dewey hit a rough streak in 1931 when he was convicted of check fraud and served time in the penitentiary. Later that year, Nannie divorced him. The pioneer continued to climb Mount Baldy into his 70’s, and logged his 133rd summit completion on October 17, 1936.

Of all the early mountain resorts, the Baldy Summit Inn was perhaps the most unique and innovative attempt to serve an adventurous clientele. Baldy’s summit is still a popular destination for hikers, but sadly, nothing remains of the high-altitude resort.

Mark Landis is a freelance writer for the Sun. He can be reached at: Historyinca@yahoo.com.