San Bernardino California is a large busting city, full of everything you’d expect to find in such a busy place. That being said, it is also home to many historical landmarks, both man-made and natural. It can be fun to discover these places, especially if you are a history buff and especially enjoy your history lessons with your San Bernardino tutor.
Perhaps one of the most stand out landmarks is the arrowhead, purely because it is completely natural and not man made. The arrowhead is visible for miles around, and for centuries has served as a guide, dating back to the Native Americans and early settlers of the area. It’s over 1300 feet in length and 450 feet wide, which explains how it can be seen from miles away! It actually occurs due to how the vegetation grows in that area. The Arrowhead is made of light quartz rock, but gets its contrast due to a growth of short white sage growing atop it. The lighter color of the sage stands out against the chaparral and greasewood surrounding it, making it an easily distinguishable beacon.
Many legends have come out of the Arrowhead, but the one that is reportedly the most ancient is told by the Native Americans. The Great Spirit that is mentioned in so many of their tales is said to have carried a great spear, which he would use to mark the areas that his people should travel to. When the Native Americans found this spot, the believed it marked the area of a natural hot springs, that had magical healing abilities. Because of this the area was considered sacred ground. It was probably hailed even more so as white sage has been revered for its natural healing powers in many different cultures.
Even if you don’t believe the stories, it’s fun to hear the different ones, and it doesn’t take away the awe inspired by the area. Man is capable of making beautiful and breathtaking designs, but some of our most elaborate and often mysterious sights were created by Nature, which lends all the more to their attraction. This symbol can be seen from many different vantage points, so there’s no need to take a long trip. After a lesson with your San Bernardino tutor just head out to a good vantage point and take a look, and think what it might have been like as a settler, using this mark as one of your only guides for the area!