HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE UPPER MOJAVE DESERT
P. O. Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556
Vol. 21 No. 7 September 2006 ___________________________________________________________________________
SEPTEMBER MEETING: PAT FARRIS, HISTORY OF OUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS

The Society's September meeting will feature local publisher Patricia Farris speaking on the history of newspapers in the local area. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:30 PM at the Maturango Museum.

Patricia's story will start with the Times Herald, originally published out of Randsburg by Paul Hubbard who had a nationally-active printing company. She will show copies of old newspapers and share stories about the other journals that have been published in the area, including the Times Herald, Valley Independent, the Daily Independent, and of course the News-Review. Mrs. Farris is well-qualified to tell this history, as she is the publisher of the News-Review. She moved to the Valley with her parents in 1941 and, along with the rest of the family, helped her dad build the first Baptist church, still standing on the corner of Ridgecrest Blvd. and Norma. She has four children and many grandchildren, a family that is very active in the community.

The HSUMD meets on the third Tuesday of the month. All are welcome to attend. For more information on this or future meetings, call Society President Bill Nevins at 375-4764.
Andrew Sound

USO BUILDING FUND RAISING COMMITTEE REPORT

Traditionally, the Historical Society has been "dark" during June, July and August, but, the USO Building Restoration Committee and its volunteers has been busy "illuminating" this project. We've a long ways to go but the progress has been impressive.

The project's fund raising group has been promoting community support at local events: the Classic Car Show, the West Ridgecrest Blvd. Wine Walk and "Music and Margaritas." Thanks to Jordan Tile for our space at the well-attended Small Business Expo.

Support is obvious with new memberships, donations of facility furniture, exhibit items, money (some anonymous) and volunteers.

The Eagles Club (now a member) sponsored a supper on August 20 and earned us $974.00! Great food was served up by Liz Stover and her crew which consisted of Margaret Cornelius, Lesley Perkins, the Jeffers Family and Olivia & Richie Guzman.

We've just unveiled our very own "Downtown Delight" root beer from Olde Town, Ridgecrest, CA. Yes, Rick Lovett had a hand in this! We'll show and tell at our September general meeting.

Our 32 colorful (Bill Nevins-produced) donation jars in local stores have netted $500.00 so far.

We encourage our membership to support our fund raisers in the works:
Donations are needed for our yard sale on Saturday, September 16th at Lana Jean's Country Art Store, 335 W. Ridgecrest Blvd. We'll be on site to accept items, or call Kathy Armstrong at 375-2643 beforehand.
Our window sponsorship is underway!!! There are 51 windows with prices from $50.00 to $400.00. A memorial/donor plaque will be placed at the window selected. We'll be at the September general meeting with details.
$10.00 Pizza Hut cards for sale in a week! We earn $7.00 of every card sold. The card has 10 "Buy 1­ Get 1 free" stickers. You get your money back with the first order. A great gift ­ honored at all Pizza Hut locations. They'll be for sale at Baxendale's Antiques, Lana Jeans Country Art Store, the Flower Shop and Committee members.
A "Down Home" meat loaf dinner at the Elk's Lodge, September 29th, 6 to 8 p.m. Presale $10.00, $12.00 at the door. Door prize is a $75.00 gold gift coin compliments of Jewelry to Go! A 7:00 p.m. auction. Tickets at the Maturango Museum, Elks, Baxendale's Antiques, Lana Jean's Country Art Store, Flower Shop.
A $1,000 or $2,000 shopping spree "raffle." Winner's choice at Ashley's Home Store, High Desert Home Center or Loewen's. Details incomplete.
KZIQ Radiothon during the Desert Empire Fair. We'll be there all 4 days with our ticket sales and promoting HSUMD's USO Building project.
Another popular W. Ridgecrest Blvd. wine walk showcasing he USO building, Sept. 21st. Our "lottery" of two of famous Western artist Larry Zabel's prints. See article elsewhere in this newsletter.
A fund raising partnership with CLOTA
All-American BBQ is booking John McKuen, founding member and singer with the "Nitty Bitty Dirt Band": for a concert/dinner in late October or first part of November, More about ticket sales and date later.
The Rotary-sponsored Community Dinner is a real money maker. If we get our friends to commit to ticket purchases from us way ahead of the November 10th dinner date, we could realize $2,000.00 from these sales. Updates next month.
We're excited that the local veterans' groups are raising money for our flag pole at the USO building.
Jim McLane and the Big Band Express can hardly wait to do their USO show in our cultural history center auditorium. Neither can we!
Kathy Armstrong

USO BUILDING PROJECT: A STATUS REPORT

The Society's USO Building restoration committee has been very active over the summer. As you know, our application for a $300,000 grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment was not successful. Nevertheless, with the encouragement of the Society and the community, we decided to continue the project. While not precluding a reapplication, we decided on a pro-active plan, relying more on local funding and volunteer labor, as well as smaller project grants from other sources. The first phase is to refurbish the building to a usable condition. This involves taking care of the immediate maintenance needs of the structure, including repairing the roof and electrical systems, etc., as well as improving the appearance of the building by landscaping and repainting the exterior. At the end of Phase 1, around March 2007, we will ask the city to close the escrow on the building and turn its title over to the HSUMD. We estimate the cost of the first phase at about $50,000. To date, we have raised $29,000 of this amount through pledges and donations. We have been applying for grants and plan to go back to the community to raise the remainder of the required funds. In addition, we are counting on plenty of Society and community support in the form of volunteer labor.

After completion of Phase 1, the building will be in a condition that we can use it to facilitate fundraising. In Phase 2, we will complete refurbishments that range from the basics (replacing/repairing the flooring and ceiling, insulating our archive room) to finishing touches on the gift shop and exhibit areas. Again, we will be counting on a combination of grants (possibly including a CCHE grant next year) and community donations of funding and labor. This phase is scheduled for completion in March 2009, at which point the facility will open up as the Cultural and History Center, with a paid director and a volunteer staff. The USO Building will be back in business!

To date, we have cleaned up the USO Building enough to hold a couple of Open Houses. We have formed a Citizen's Advisory Committee, including representatives from the City, County, and local groups, who will provide us with guidance and advice and help us move this project forward in line with the desires of the community. The CAC meetings held so far have provided us with many good ideas and have given us a communication line with the City and community. We have also held the first work parties to prepare the interior and exterior of the building for painting. The next work party is planned for September 16. The fund-raising committee has ben very active, as you can read in Kathy Armstrong's report.

Thus, we are just at the beginning of a long effort to revitalize one of our town's most historic buildings. Volunteers are needed, particularly those with relevant professional skills such as painting, plumbing, stuccoing, etc.

Rehabilitating the USO Building will be a major undertaking, but with your help and the support of the community, we will pull it off!

For more information, please call Bill Nevins at 375-4764. Donations can be sent to HSUMD- USO Building Fund, PO Box 2202, Ridgecrest, CA 93556. Andrew Sound

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER EVENTS

Sept. 1...Beginning of Memorial/Donor plaque window selection
Sept. 10...Begin Pizza Hut card sales
Sept. ­ Oct....Shopping spree raffle
Sept. 16...Yard Sale at Lana Jeans
Sept. 21... W. Ridgecrest Blvd. wine walk
Sept. 29...Dinner/Auction at Elks' Lodge
October...Larry Zabel limited edition prints (lottery)
October... Nov. 10th Community Dinner ticket sales
Oct. 12-15 Radiothon at Fall Fair
October 28...Olde Towne Fall Festival
Oct. ­ Nov... All-American Bar B Q concert/Dinner

Call Kathy Armstrong, 375-2643, Fund Raising chair, with any questions.

Cut out above schedule and post where handy.

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

The HSUMD board and the USO Building committee have been working on many activities for the 2006/2007 year. Jim Kenney will again this year arrange for monthly speakers on topics which will be of interest for most of our members. If anyone has a suggested topic, please call Jim at 371-2458. Field trips will also be scheduled throughout the year.

We are in need of volunteers to support the following activities: Oral History Committee, Research Committee, Education Committee, Events Committee, Accessions Committee, Collections Committee, and Publications Committee. If you have an interest, please contact me at 375-4764 or pick up a committee description flyer our monthly general meetings.

The USO Building Project is progressing very well with the large support received from the HSUMD members and local communities. Kathy Armstrong is heading the Fundraising Committee, which is doing an outstanding job of developing programs/events to generate funds for the project. Please support the many activities planned not only by attending activities, but also by offering your talents.

John Di Pol and Ann Roseman are also quite busy working on a number of small and large grants. Do Joe McKernan is heading up the reconstruction efforts and you will very soon see some major changes to the visual look of the USO Building. Work parties will be scheduled and all are invited to be part of the team.

This is your Historical Society. Please help us by support our programs, encourage you friends to join and provide me your thoughts on how the HSUMD can improve. Thanks.
Bill Nevins
(375-4764 or b.nevins@mchsi.com)

MAY MYSTERY PHOTO

No one identified the swimmers in the May mystery photo, but Joan Woodman and Raymond Kelso did identify the chain link fence behind them as belonging to Allen's pool (later Brewer's pool). This was a swimming pool built by a Mr. Allen in the 1940's, privately-owned but operated as a free public service by Mr. Allen and later by Douglas Brewer, who worked in the local schools (Vice-Principal at James Monroe in my recollection). The pool was located on the south side of Church street west of Norma. The fence was a later addition, built sometime in the early 60's or before. Andrew Sound

OCTOBER SPEAKER

Lucinda Lou Crosby will speak about the history of water in the Indian Wells Valley and some history of the IWV Water District at our October 17 meeting.

RECENT BOARD ACTION

The HSUMD board at its August meeting passed a resolution to authorize the collection of donations (passing the hat) at its general meetings and tours to help us cover our expenses.

UPCOMING TOURS

September 23. We will tour some old mine and mill sites in the Searles Valley area. At least 2 WD high clearance vehicles recommended as we will be driving on dirt roads and sometimes a little soft sand. Meet at Richmond Road Park and Ride area on E. Ridgecrest Blvd. at 9:00 a.m.

October 14. The U. S. Borax open pit mine tour. This was very popular this spring, so we are bringing it back again. Absolutely limited to 20 people. Must sign up with Jim Kenney at 371-2458. Time to be determined.

November 4. Atolia Mining Tour with John Lightburn. We'll start at the old Atolia Staff House and proceed to various mine sites in the area. We will be on dirt roads, so no low slung vehicles, please. Time to be determined.

LARRY ZABEL DONATES LIMITED EDITION PRINTS

Recently your society had asked famed western artist Larry Zabel for a donation of a limited edition print of one of his works of fine art. This gift would be used in raising funds in support of our project the restore the historic USO building her in Ridgecrest and establish a Cultural and History Center.

Many will remember Larry and the fine art that he produced during his years here. Following his retirement from China Lake, Larry relocated to Montana where he found the Zabel Publishing Company and established the Montana Trails Gallery in Bozeman. He was commissioned, and did produce, four large works of fine art, the China Lake Commemorative Series, on the occasion of China lake's 50th anniversary in 1993. Larry's fame grew in the ensuing years and he is now nationally recognized as a leading western artist.

Larry has responded most generously to our request. We have received a signed, limited edition fine art print of h is most recent release: "Return to the Valley of The Flowers," a striking portrait of a migrating band of Native Americans coming down into the valley of the Gallatin River, with the snow capped Rockies in the background. It is 17 by 35 inches image size and will be custom framed by Gary Davis of the Border Shack. Larry also sent a second, signed limited edition print. This one from the China Lake Commemorative Series, and possibly the most favored: "Where RAms and Hornets Meet." Its image is smaller, 11 by 22 inches. It will also be custom framed by Gary Davis.
These magnificent pieces will be awarded to the holders of the winning tickets at a drawing ceremony in late October or November. The tickets will be limited in number. The specific dates and information for ticket sales and drawing will be announced soon. Keep you eyes and ears open to the local media. If you have any questions, call John Di Pol, 760.375.2610 or Kathy Armstrong, 760.375.2643.
John Di Pol

HISTORICAL ARTICLE

Indian Wells Valley - How It Grew
Time out! Commercial break! No historical article this month. Instead we have a special message from your sponsor, er....... Society. Some members may not be aware that their Society has an active publishing program? Not big, six titles so far, but all of interesting historical subjects, and priced very modestly. They are:

STAGE AND WAGON TRAILS - Stage stops and stage routes in the IWV.
HOW IT WAS - Stories of pioneers in IWV.
ZIG-ZAG POST OFFICE - A history of the Little Lake post office.
SAND CANYON STATION - A video describing the experience of two families living near the L.A. aqueduct in the 1930s & '40s.
INDIAN WELLS VALLEY - HOW IT GREW - A review and description of land division, early land ownership and more.
CHURCHES OF INDIAN WELLS VALLEY - A history of the churches of Indian Wells Valley..

For this commercial message, your writer has chosen to highlight INDIAN WELLS VALLEY - HOW IT GREW, authored by Society member Fred Weals and published in 2001. It is 81 pages in length, plus appendix and index, amply illustrated with photos, maps and charts, 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches in size, and professionally bound. Fred is a longtime resident of China Lake and Ridgecrest. A licensed Civil Engineer and surveyor, he is very familiar with our local area and was able to do extensive research of federal, state and county/city land records as well as interviews with descendants of early pioneers.

What follows is not a "book report" ( Ugh! Remember them in high school?) nor a book critique, but simply some "bullets" extracted from Fred's book which might be of interest:

* In the 1870s and '80s, the IWV was crisscrossed by stage and freight roads and their way stations. First permanent settlement was made in 1873 by Freeman Raymond at Coyote Holes. After "squatting" for 21 years, he filed for 160 acres in 1894 and and received the first patent issued in the Valley.
* 1905 - first public announcement of the L.A. Aqueduct (built in1908-1913). Southern Pacific built railroad line up from Mojave in 1909. IWV homesteaders arrived in quantity. The Vernon Carr and William Calloway families were among the first in 1909 followed by more Calloways and others that year, including the Schuette family, whose son, the locally well-known Henry "Hank" Schuette, who was born in 1915. Aqueduct construction and the arrival of the railroad were enormous boosts for the settlement of the IWV.
* Present-day Inyokern was RR siding 16, later "Magnolia", then "Inyokern". . Early settlers R. R. Thompson and David Shanks organized the Inyo-Kern Company (later Inyokern Land and Water Co) in 1909 to foster settlement and provide services. The Inyokern post office was established in 1913. Tract map with streets and lots was filed in 1914.
* First settlers in Ridgecrest area was the Robertson family in 1912. They patented 460 acres near present-day China Lake and Ridgecrest Blvds in 1914 to grow farm products for the newly expanding chemical works and population in Trona.
* Post World War-One: Surge in land filings, which were concentrated in the SW portion of the Valley. In 1919 Inyokern entrepreneurs Thompson and Shanks, et al, proposed creation of an Irrigation District to bring water down from the Mono Lake watershed by canal over most of the route via Owens Valley into the IWV. Preliminary plans and cost estimates were made; a delegation went to Washington D.C. to obtain Federal approval for right-of-ways and arrange for financing. Alas, The City of Los Angeles, with their aqueduct in the Owens Valley in place, also had eyes on Mono water for their Mono Extension project. It was no contest. L.A. had much more political muscle and the Inyokern project faded away.
* More families settle. The Bowman's in the '20s, the Standard's, then the Fox family in the '30s and others. "Ridgecrest" name adopted for post office. In 1943 the U.S. Navy (NOTS) arrives!!!! Mega changes in the IWV.
* Ridgecrest area contiguous to NOTS. Businesses and housing tracts development - first by local merchants, then by outsiders like John Deeter who built hundreds of quality homes. Fred's book traces this evolution in interesting detail, including the saga of the Rocket Town development.
* Street names. A section of the book deals with the derivation of the names of many of the Ridgecrest and China Lake streets, organized by category. Some surprises here. Also, local folklore has it that several streets near central Ridgecrest associate their names with ladies of the evening in Red Mountain. Fred reports this, but, the wise gentleman that he is, goes no further.

Purchase this book ($10.00). Fascinating reading, and a good reference. Available at the Maturango Museum Gift Shop or write to HSUMD, P.O. Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556. Please add a couple of bucks for postage.
John Di Pol

BEQUESTS

Please remember the Historical Society in your wills and trusts.