Around the turn of the twentieth century, when the Baldy Bowl was transitioning from resource extraction and toward recreation, a series of bitter conflicts took place there between the San Antonio Water Company and various camp owners.

Pollution of the watershed and an 1899 brush fire led the company to wrest legal control of the road through the canyon away from Charles Baynham, close off the canyon with locked gates, and station armed guards to keep out intruders.

But after some time and various legal battles, the company decided to profit from recreation rather than discouraging it.

The Los Angeles flood of 1938 destroyed most of the human-made structures in Camp Baldy.

The lifts are operated by the Mt Baldy Ski Resort, which has restaurants and lodging within the town.

Baldy Road is the only road to reach the ski resort and other popular sites; as a result, the town is a highly visited area[10] as tourists who plan on cycling or hiking within the valley, reaching the summit of Mt Baldy, or skiing, pass the town.

Baldy is located in California's 8th congressional district, represented by Republican Jay Obernolte.