Rim Of The World Historical Society

In the late 19th century the area was known as Metcalf�s ghost town. In 1889 Adam and Frank Kuffel bought the buildings that were there from Metcalf and homesteaded the area. By 1910 the Kuffel�s were no longer living there. A group of developers including H.J. Pinney, Wilber F. Wood, C.L. Reed and J.E. Henck purchased 400 acres from the Kuffel�s and 40 additional acres from Flemimg in 1919. During 1922 and 1923 development was started.

The following is quoted from �From the Memories of Putnam Henck� by J. Putnam Henck (Putty). �In about 1925, Joe Henck (Putty�s father) built a store building on the N.E. corner of Kuffel Canyon and Rim of the World Highway. It was called J.E. Henck Mercantile. The building was 24x40 in size and was just one big room with a small storeroom and bathroom. The store carried almost everything one could want. For a year or two it was the only store open all year �round between Pine Crest and Green Valley Lake. After a few years Joe sold the store to Mr. and Mrs. McGinity. They added on an apartment upstairs. The first Skyforest post office was in that store. When slot machines were legal up here, there was a 5 cent slot machine there.�

The earlier name for the area � Arrowhead Lakeview Forest was changed to Forest of the Sky in the 1920�s to distinguish it from Lake Arrowhead. The name �Forest of the Sky� was not acceptable to Post Office officials, too many words and they wanted a one word name. The Skyforest post office opened on September 27, 1928.

Santa�s Village opened on Saturday, May 28, 1955, two months before Disneyland, and remained a mountain treasure until 1998. Santa�s Village was nestled in a picturesque setting on 15 forested acres where 11 colorful buildings housed Santa and his toy workshops. In this fairyland setting, gnomes, elves and little animal friends made up a children�s and grown-ups� paradise. There were three Santa�s Villages, ours in Skyforest, a second in Santa Cruz, Calif., and the third in Dundee, Illinois.

Click on images below to enlarge!

	Skyforest General Store. Pictured here is the Skyforest General Store located at Kuffel Canyon Road and State Highway 18. The Skyforest Post Office was located in this building and opened on September 27, 1928. The image dates to the early 1940�s.

	The Skyhouse. In this image, the General Store was alsohome to the Skyhouse Family Restaurant on the corner of Kuffel Canyon Road and State Highway 18. The restaurant opened in 1949. The structure stood until the summer of 1997 when an accidental fire spelled the end. Other restaurants located here were the Lavender Hill Restaurant and the Road House Cafe.

	Bill Shafe. The year is 1955 and Bill is readying the miniature train engine for its first run through the enchanted forest at Santa's Village, located in Skyforest. On the Wednesday before it opened, Glenn Holland, president of Santa's Village invited all residents of the San Bernardino Mountains to a pre-opening visit and "Get Acquainted Day".

	The Gang. Pictured here next to Santa are the Rainbow Man (Will Clauson) and the Lollipop Lady (Pam Henck � wife of Putty) at Santa's Village. The admission price, when opened in 1955, was 40 cents for juniors between the ages of 11 and 18, $1.00 for everyone over 18, and youngsters under 11 were admitted FREE! Compare those prices to today's amusement parks.

	Gingerbread House Postcard. Shown here is the Gingerbread House at Santa�s Village. This postcard image is noted on the back, �Santa�s Gingerbread House where the Good Witch bakes fresh, hot gingerbread men and cookies every day�.

	Santa�s Village Postcard. Pictured here are three views of Santa�s Village. Pictured are the ever frozen North Pole, the Welcome House and the Chapel of the Little Shepherd.

	One Of The Shows At Santa�s Village. It has been estimated that approximately 5,000 mountain people worked there during the 43 years of its existence. Also, many young folks learned to drive in their parking lot.

	Santa And Kids. Many children celebrated a birthday or holiday with Santa. Sadly the amusement park closed in 1998. Many of the park�s artifacts were auctioned off in August of that year. Our historical society is planning a wonderful display of artifacts from Santa�s Village at our museum.

	Santa�s Village Stock. Pictured here is an original stock certificate from Santa's Village. Shares were sold to the public and �given� to original sub-contractors who took their profits in stock. The shares have no value today except to collectors that treasure finding one. Most seem to have either been thrown out or disappeared over the years.