Hidden Springs Cafe razed by flames

Hidden Springs Cafe, a haven to bikers, a coffee stop for commuters and a home to owner Jim Lewis and his family, has been consumed by the wildfire raging through the Angeles National Forest, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

“It was completely razed," said Tom Zeulner, information officer for the Station fire. “The fire’s burning so intensely that everything is consumed.”

Zeulner said that on Tuesday, an inspection team went to the punchbowl-shaped canyon where the beloved cafe once stood and discovered that all the buildings in the area had burned to the ground. With no more fuel to consume, the fire had moved on, sparing only a of couple trailers, Zeulner said.

Lewis, who ran the business for 32 years, said a number of his customers and friends had called him to say they saw the cafe site on a television broadcast Tuesday morning. People recognized the lone, old-fashioned phone booth standing amid ashes because it is the only one in the Angeles National Forest, he said.

Lewis said he was riddled with guilt for not having been able to save any of his mother’s belongings from her home above the cafe.

On Sunday afternoon, Lewis and his brother Otis tried to save the cafe with hoses and pumps until they saw a wall of flames coming over the ridges and were forced to flee. “I was too arrogant to think that I could win,” he said. “I should’ve known better. I should have known I can’t win against something like that.”

-- Victoria Kim

Comments

[Carolyn]

Has the Boy Scout Camp Eaton burned up yet? It is near the cafe.

[Denise Hewitt]

Hidden Springs Cafe owners , the Lewis Family, has fought floods that wiped out the campgrounds and previous fires. The Cafe was a social place where patrons and friends would meet and chat at a place that did not serve "any stikin fries". The Lewis Family has been friends to us moto fiends, locals, bike runner rallys/ fundraisers, and those fortunates passing through. Our hearts are with you and happy to help out. Our heart are out to you, Elva, Jim, Otis, Janis, and.. Ray and family.

Denise Hewitt

[Chris Smith]

Jim,

I was so, so sorry to hear of the loss of the cafe. You and your family were wonderful friends to me. Remember the "surprise me" burger? I remember the time that we fled the cafe on our bikes as another fire many years ago looked like it was going to top the ridge on the other side of the canyon. We have been following this fire from here in Texas, and had so hoped that the cafe would be spared. If there is anything I can do to help, contact me.

Chris Smith

[Kai-]

What a loss!!! But I'm glad Mr. Lewis got out alive and I hope he has enough photographs of the page to reconstruct it. It was a real treasure.

[D]

Horrible news. anything regarding Newcombs? please tell me the fire hasnt gotten that far.

[duxbellorum]

"Lewis said he was riddle with guilt...I should have known better. I should have known I can't win against something like that."

Ya THINK??!!!

After a LIFETIME of living through California fire seasons, out in the scrub, it defies reason why he didn't run when told to run.

I commiserate with the loss of his business, but not with his - and others - boneheaded actions. His mother's losses are completely on his head.

Fire will go where fire wants to and there is almost nothing people can do to stop it. The best choice ALWAYS is to leave when you're told to.

I'd really like to understand what 'the defiant ones' are thinking when they refuse to listen to firefighters - can anyone explain? Rationally?

[Dennis Kirk]

Any news about Newcomb's Ranch?

[Christopher Lockett]

Very sad to hear about the demise of Hidden Springs Cafe. It was one of the rare places where the combination of the location being just rural enough and the Lewis' being just relaxed and welcoming enough that a motorcyclist like me felt like he's escaped the gravitation pull of Los Angeles for a while.

I hope they rebuild. Hidden Springs Cafe was a gem.

[Bull Clinton]

Mr. Lewis gave me 2 tire air bottles once even though I had only a dollar. To the J.azz who wrote this.
Some people fend for their own, they are called MEN.

[Stewart Levin]

My most heartfelt condolences to the Lewis family. The Hidden Springs Cafe is a wonderful place. I have stopped there for many years. The Cafe is much more than just the great location. It is also a wonderful place because of the Lewis family who run it. They are warm, friendly, funny and caring. And who could forget the "Mountain Burger". I hope all of the friends and supporters of the cafe can get together and help rebuild, after enough time has passed.

Regards,

Stew

[Franck Labbe]

Very sorry to hear about the loss of the cafe and Lewis family's home. A collect needs to be organized, anyone knows how to get this started?
FL

[besimon]

Mr. Lewis, I think your mother would be happy that you and your family are alive and doing well. That's all that matters.

[Sean]

Sadness fills me as I have very strong childhood memories of Hot Apple Cider during the winter at the Cafe. Must have been 30 years ago. Tough loss, I hope he or someone can rebuild.

[Kay]

@duxbellorum: The LAST thing people need when they've gone through a tragedy is know-it-alls saying, "*I* would've been smarter about it." You show neither empathy nor compassion when you sit at your keyboard proclaiming your omniscience, because while you can *think* you know better, you really don't know what you'd actually do when faced with the situation. Fires always come with two stories: The people who stayed put far longer than they should have--and the people who stayed put and saved their homes. Which is the right thing to do? Which, in the moment itself, is the decision you make? You can't know until the flames come, and the answer you chose might surprise you.

Jim Lewis needs to forgive himself, he and his brother did their best under terrible circumstances, and they are, thank God, alive and safe. I wish the best to them and their families, and for a speedy re-build.

[Shawn Reaves]

duxbellorum, were you dropped on your head when you were a child? The cruelty and ignorance of your statements are ridiculous. Your statements are the statements of a dumb *** without a heart, or mind to realize that not only did a cafe burn down, but a home and a livelyhood.

The Lewis brothers didn't ignore the firefighters order to evacuate, they just did what other people who love their home would do and try their best to protect it. They have lived through fires and floods in that area, and only when they realized that they couldn't win this one did they leave.

I am proud that they are my family. I am proud to read that they are so loved and respected, and that there are others who aren't family who will never forget. The kindness and generosity of the Cafe will never be forgotten. As you read, people remember Mountain Burgers, no stinkin fries, chili and lots of laughter and fun.

Obviously duxbellorum you didn't have contact with them or you wouldn't say the unkind words you have said. As we were taught as kids, "if you don't have anything good to say, keep your damned mouth shut!"

[John Sousa]

Does anyone know what happened to Stony Ridge Observatory ?

[Chris Keller]

Dux, that was a very stupid comment. Have you never had anything that you did not care about? After all, the cafe was the life's work of the Lewis family. It will be missed by tens of thousands of people. Kindly do not post any more such comments. You are inhuman, pure and simple.

[Craig Ream]

One day before the fire started my wife and I enjoyed a hamburger made by Otis at the Hidden Springs Cafe. He actually played his banjo and sang some songs for us. It was a one of a kind place and our hearts are with the family. We hope you decide to rebuild. We would readily volunteer our time to help you.

Craig & Janelle Ream

[Sundry]

So sorry to hear this. I always loved the fact of this place, and fantasied about having a little business in the woods myself. We live about 20 minutes away, in Acton, and have stopped by on our scenic route to Pasadena many times. I hope the family will be able to rebuild.

[Pete]

My family used to stop here on trips to Table Mountain and Blue Ridge in the 60's and 70's. It's where I first tried French Onion Soup ("which is actually Polish!" my father told me). When I lived in California again during 2003, it was my favorite place to stop after hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains.

My sympathies to the Lewis family, and thanks for many, many good memories. I am sure you will make a success of whatever you do after the fire, whether it involves rebuilding or relocating.

As for me--time to put on The Fifth Dimension's "Ashes to Ashes" and pour some brandy. In a Dixie cup.

[SSgt Anonymous]

This makes me sad. I used to jump on the Suzuki rice-rocket and head up from the El Toro Marine base to this place on the weekends with my biker friends. I've long since been restationed, but I have a lot of great memories from the cafe. My condolences to Jim and his family.

[DeepWheat]

Just to extend our sympathy from across the miles... though I've lived in KS since the mid-'70s, I grew up in SoCal (home was La Puente/W Covina) and Scouting trips took us all *over* the place, from Vasquez Rocks to Mt San Gorgonio and many wilderness points between and beyond. We stopped in at "The Cafe" for short visits back in the mid '60s (before the Lewis clan took over), but I still recall the place, not much more than a "wide spot", where we stopped for sodas & snacks.

As soon as possible, please let the rest of the world know where we can send donations to help you folks rebuild... and put *my* name & e-mail address on the list to notify when you're ready!

Hmm-mm... Perhaps you could set up a lockbox/drop-slot right there by the old phone booth, so passing bikers and motorists could contribute as they go by?? (Yeah, I know, it would have to be big, strong, *HEAVY* and bolted down tight to prevent vandalism or worse, but, well, self-serve carwashes seem to survive fairly well with no one around most of the time...)

I know others lost as much, some even more, but re-opening "The Cafe", heck, just knowing when you've *STARTED REBUILDING*, will do so much to rekindle the spirits of all who lost so much! Although many things can never be replaced, heck, a "new" cafe could be even better! [Er, just offhand, *tile* roofing and *steel* siding come to mind... ;-)) ]

We are all *SO* glad to know that the Lewis family escaped safely, and putting "The Cafe" back on its feet will do a *lot* for so many more... God bless, and Godspeed to all.

~ DeepWheat [aka Chuck Henderson]
~ Manhattan KS

[ikabod]

I have been driving past that cafe for years, when I worked in Pasadena, from Palmdale. Now living in Ventura, when I saw that the cafe had been destroyed my heart sank. Hopefully there will be a rebuilding, and fund raising to make it happen. The mountain plant life and trees will regrow, and so should the Hidden Springs Cafe.

[Ryan Romero]

To the Lewis's: I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I photographed the Cafe for Los Angeles Magazine back in 2001. I have a bunch of photographs of Elva and the Cafe I would love to give you. I tried leaving a message on your site but it didn't seem to be working. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. I posted some of the pics on my blog at:
http://notsoauthorities.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/hidden-springs-cafe/

Sincerely,

Ryan Romero

[Lost]

don't forget the people that were killed across the street years ago

[Drue D. Beall]

If I am not mistaken this cafe was the one on Angeles Crest Forest Highway which was located about 9 miles up ACH and about 6 miles in on the ACFH. It had a phone booth outside (that hadn't worked in quite some time) I was up there actually looking at a house for rent about 2 months. That is when I met the owner of the cafe. He directed me to the house I was looking for across the street and next to his. I just wanted to let you know that my prayers are with you and the gentleman next door (with the rental). as well as everyone who lost something or someone or whatever the case may be. May the Lord restore everything that you lost 10 fold.

[Karin Miller]

I stopped at The Hidden Springs Cafe on Aug 22, a few days before the Station Fire started, and posted a picture to my blog. It is very sad to read that this special place is gone. I hope that the family an re-build it.

[Dave]

In a larger article, Lewis said he DID leave when instructed by the fire department, who did not help them.

I have only been to the Cafe twice but my wife and I loved it. The ortega burger was awesome, and we loved the old counter and funny folks. It was a landmark. I hope it will be rebuilt, and with the classic charm it had.

[Greg Ehring]

Jimmy,

My heart goes out to you and everyone on the Mountain. It has been many years since we have seen each other. We had good times as kids and I know you will bounce back. I hope with all my heart you are able to rebuild in the future. Try not to beat yourself up for what you were unable to save but be greatful you got out with your life. I know your mom will understand.

Cuz

[Lisa]

I am very sorry to hear that the cafe was lost. It's a landmark for all us commuters between the Antelope Valley and the San Gabriel Valley. Nothing I can write here can express how sad I feel at this loss. I hope they rebuild. It was warm, inviting, and welcoming, especially during the holiday season when they had their Christmas lights up.

[Toni Lewis]

Too bad the forestry service did nothing to help save the cafe. Most resources were spent on the La Canada fire and the people in the canyon were basically left to themselves with no help from the forestry service or others.

I've been a member of the Lewis family for over 32 years, previously the forestry has always helped, however this time, they just drove by.

[Brian Elms]

Hidden Springs ,Owned and run by the Lewis Clan, Has for years been the ideal
place in the Angeles Forest to stop for a cup of Coffee and the best Bacon Cheeseburgers on earth.
A place where all were welcomed with a smile .
It was an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the big city an hour away.
It had the best collection of "Smokey the Bear" Posters I've ever seen.
It was one of those places where "Everyone knew your name"
Places like this are rare jewels, and it's a loss to all who enjoyed the peace and quiet of this unique spot. Good luck Jim,Elva,Otis,Janis
Brian R Elms

[Joe Salvo]

This is terrible! Although we haven't been riding for many years we all go back to Amos & Elva & Jim and Otis and their sister! This is a shame as a true icon of the Forest Hwy is now gone! A terrible day!

[Tania Paddock]

There is a site taking donations for my grandmother's cafe .... http://socalnorton.com/index.html

[Pollyanne Hornbeck]

I had no idea! Just heard! We were at Burning Man when this happened! I am devastated. Hidden Springs was a treasure-pure and simple, and the Lewis' my family away from home. Hidden Springs has been a hideaway and solace for me for many years. I've ridden every bike I've ever owned up there. Please contact me if there is anything I can do. All my love to Jim and the gang...
xo-
Pollyanne

[Chris Coleman]

Very, very sad news about Hidden Springs. I feel bad for Jim, Janice and the family.

There is currently a plan in the works sponsored by the Brit Iron Rebels and Southern California Norton Owner's Club to hold a benefit motorcycle ride to help raise money to rebuild Hidden Springs. Unfortunately Jim was not able to secure fire insurance in that location.

Anyone who rides, keep an eye out for the event, which will be taking place somewhere between November 29th and December 14th.