The Wrightwood Welcomes You National Forest & Monument sign was one of the first projects of the Wrightwood Village Foundation. The previous sign had been missing for the last decade. The Foundation commissioned Ric Rice to provide a replacement sign, an enhanced version of the standard Forest Welcome sign that added the San Gabriel Mountain National Monument designation and informs motorists that they are entering the Village of Wrightwood.
Contributions for the sign were provided by a small number of long-time Wrightwood residents who saw the value in a “welcome” sign that would underscore to visitors and residents alike that they were indeed entering a national forest as they traveled up Hwy 2.
Ric Rice has been a part of the Wrightwood community for over 40 years, and his quality sign work can be seen throughout the Village.
The Mountaineer Progress newspaper campaigned in the early 1960s to have a Forest Service welcome sign placed along Hwy 2. Originally a part of the San Bernardino National Forest, in the 1970s, the Mountaineer campaigned to place Wrightwood in the Angeles National Forest due to its proximity to Big Pines. The sign was changed to reflect the Angeles National Forest at that time.
The Wrightwood Village Foundation is a 501.3c organization established this past year to underwrite projects in the Village that will enhance residents quality of life.
