The secret of Rockwood

In 2017, Rockwood Lodge was purchased and opened to the public as part of Rockwood Cabins. This historical plaque was handed down by Florence and Keith Cordrey, who received it in June of 1940, to several owners until present day. Below is a transcription of the plaque:

“Rockwood is entirely the craftsmanship of Arthur E Scoles, a civil engineer who was formerly employed by John D. Rockefeller. After retirement he began construction of the lodge in the fall of 1915, finally completing it in the fall of 1920.  He spent nine months three days and eight hours in actual construction during this five-year period. He was inspired by memories of an old Norse hunting lodge where he spent many happy hours. Logs every kind of tree found in the San Bernardino Mountains including Sugar Pine, Yellow Pine, Jeffrey Pine, Cedar, Fir and Oak were used in its construction. Vermiculation of on the logs was intentionally produced by the propagation of worms.

Later the bark was removed and all the logs were twice boiled in oil as a preservative. During the course of construction and for many years after its completion, Rockwood has been the subject of stories in outdoor periodicals.  The United States Forestry Department wrote Mr. Scoles complementing him upon the design of the lodge, stating that it was the most unique and artistic one known to them in the entire United States.  They further estimated that over 65,000 people visited the lodge during its building period.

The above facts were given to Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Ortman in a conversation with the builder on August 20, 1937, Mr. Scoles being at the time 76 years old.  During the winter of 1938, Mrs. Ortman again visited Mr. Scoles to confirm the mystery that shrouded Rockwood for many many years.  Was it true, that a small chest containing a book of over 8,000 signatures of visitors, together with the sum of gold was secreted in the masonry of Rockwood?  Mr. Scoles simply smiled and nodded.  Its hiding place, known only to himself, is his cherished memory of happier days.  It is the secret of Rockwood.”