I spent the morning at Starbucks using their electricity and wifi to map out the next leg of my journey, then headed out to begin day 3 of my epic road trip.
When I arrived at the town of Desert Center I was not prepared for how many opportunities it held for exploration. As soon as I got off the freeway I came to an abandoned gas station, near which many truckers stopped with their rigs. A bunch of tourists stopped to take pictures too. I had to wait for them to leave so they wouldn't end up in my shots.
Looking down the road in either direction I saw so many abandoned structures, I knew I'd be there pretty much the whole day. It was an urbex treasure trove, and I felt like a kid in a candy store. I ran around like a lunatic snapping pictures.
Desert Center currently has a population of around 200, with nearly 30% living below the federal poverty line. Despite its current bleak condition, Desert Center was once an important waypoint for travelers crossing the desert.
In 1942 General Patton ordered the construction of the Desert Center Army Air Field to train soldiers for combat against Rommel's forces in the North African deserts. The base was closed in 1944 after the Allies defeated the German forces in North Africa. Desert Center quieted back down after the closure of the base.
It might surprise you to learn that Desert Center is the birthplace of Kaiser Permanente. It also served as the filming location for scenes from several movies, including Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Ragsdale Rd, the town's main drag was surrounded on each side by a row of 4 or 5 businesses, most of them adjoined to one another. The only building among them that was still open was the post office.
An old grocery store stood deserted.
One of the old cafes had signs saying they were temporarily closed for building maintenance, but there was no indication that they’d be opening again anytime soon.
One of the cafes was also a gas station with very old pumps.
Next to it stood an auto and machine repair facility of some sort. I stuck my phone up to the glass and took some pictures. There were many tools and vehicles inside, undisturbed and quite old. I imagined the place could be turned into a museum one day. It seemed the vandals had come to mutually agree that the buildings along that stretch of road would remain untouched.
I was amazed that all the buildings along the main street still had unbroken glass windowpanes. Finding abandoned buildings with windows intact is exceedingly rare. It seems inevitable that one of the large front windows will be broken one day. I wonder how rapidly the place will deteriorate after that.
Set back a little further from the road were a few structures left behind by the military.
There were also quite a few very old tractors with cranks on the front, and some even older farm equipment.
The equipment pictured above was inside a chicken wire enclosure and had a weathered old sign, no longer legible, indicating that it was a historical marker.
Down the road there were a dozen or so abandoned military homes. They were in very bad shape, the walls torn up by scrappers seeking copper wire and pipes. Everything was pretty broken.
The former residents had left a ridiculous amount of possessions inside those little homes, sometimes piled high enough that it was difficult to enter. There were tvs, clothes, furniture, canned goods, even a prescription bottle with pills. Someone had poured them out on the little kitchen table, along with some caffeine pills and vitamin B12.
One of the houses had burned down.
This old sign stood near the homes pictured above.
It had been an awesome morning, and so far I'd only explored about half of Desert Center. I crossed Highway 177 to the eastern half of the town, where I would spend the next several hours exploring some pretty incredible sites. I'll tell you all about them in my next post.
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Thank you!
Incredible pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks, my love!
DeleteI grew up there !!!!!!
DeleteRight on. Such a neat place to call home.
DeleteTruly great place
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteVery interesting stuff there, especially in the mechanics shop. I would suggest it was multi-purpose, as there were different vehicles. The black/red/orange object almost appears to be a railway locomotives exterior casing. Not sure if there were any railways in the area.
ReplyDeleteIt did appear to be a locomotive. I was really surprised to see it there. There are some railways nearby, but it seems like it'd be pretty tricky to transport a locomotive to a workshop without any rails leading to it. This town is absolutely phenomenal. I definitely recommend checking it out if you get the chance.
DeleteActually it was a movie prop. The movie starred old Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas as old robber just released from prison. The steal a train and after a chase crash through the Mexican border. The train gets buried in the dirt cause the train tracks stopped at the border. The black and orange object is the prop for the train.
DeleteThanks for the info! Mystery solved.
DeleteI just saw the end of "Tough Guys" and had to find out where that prop was and that led me here.
DeleteThe actual locomotive from the movie is the 4449 Daylight and is in the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland, OR.
The 4449 Daylight pulled the original American Freedom Train in 1976. It is the only one of its kind left and is still working today.
You can see pics of it on their web site - http://www.orhf.org/
Awesome! Thank you for the information. It's great to hear that the 4449 is still operational!
DeleteThat old has station/mechanic shop has never been open as far back as I remember, but all of the other businesses but one were still open in '98 when I went back to visit my grandparents. The one that was closed up most of my childhood was across from the newer gas station and for a little while I remember it sold food. We always called it the hamburger stand.
ReplyDeleteI wish some of them were still open when I visited. I would have loved to eat lunch there. Unique little places like these are becoming rare these days. I would love to see what this place looked like when most of the businesses were still open.
DeleteI used to live there until 2 years ago my family is still down there if you have any questions let me know
DeleteMy sister owned & ran the hamburger stand. You can ask any Old Truck Driver, they will tell you Best food/burgers anywhere & Never passed by without stopping They knew the place & her !! ❤️ Thank You Sis for all the Great Memories !! ❤️
DeleteI have recently started my own blog, mostly about pop culture when I was a kid, but I think it might be a fun idea to link to pictures of where I grew up. Would it be okay with you if I grabbed a few of yours and linked to you? Or would you have a different website you'd prefer me to link to? Assuming you don't mind if I use them. I don't have any pictures of my own from back then.
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you used my pictures and linked to this site! I'll be sure to check out your blog too.
DeleteHey, thanks! I'll keep you posted. Can you please message me at teawhoa@gmail.com with any info you'd like me to include, and so I'll have your email address?
DeleteSudden change of plans. It's going up tomorrow morning. Don't expect a huge spoke in views. lol I just have a handful of readers myself.
ReplyDelete*spike
DeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteDesert Center is still owned and occupied by members of the Ragsdale family, and is not 'abandoned'. That's why the windows are still intact, etc. I would not suggest entering any structures -- you may receive a hostile reception if you do.
Thanks for the info. That explains why there is no vandalism on the main street.
DeleteI grew up in nearby Eagle Mountain 12 miles up the lone road from Desert Center. Some of your information is correct and some of it is not. It is a great little area. Our town of Eagle Mountain was an iron ore mine built by Kaiser. It was definitely a company town. When Kaiser went bankrupt the town became deserted. That was in 1986. Lake Tamarisk, 3 miles up the road from Desert Center is still fairly operable. The Ragsdales still own Desert Center. It is sad to have grown up out there and remember how it was compared to the ghost town appearance of today. Research Eagle Mountain Kaiser Steel Mine for more information if you are interested. The railroad went from Eagle Mountain carrying iron ore pellets and took them to the Fontana Kaiser plant. Eagle Mountain was in operation from 1948 to 1986 or there about.
ReplyDeleteCool! Thanks for the info! Have you ever been back to Eagle Mountain since you left?
DeleteThe Ragsdales who owned the hamburger stand live about five miles up the road in Lake Tamarisk. I remember the store when it had just the worn wood floors. The barracks area was known as Hollywood. A Baptist church once met there as well. Desert Center was a big part of our lives. I grew up in Eagle Mountain.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, John! I love that the barracks area was known as Hollywood. Do you have any idea how it got that nickname?
DeleteMy family moved into the first building on the right side of the road back in 1957. It was called "Little Hollywood" by locals because the old barrack buildings were the best in town.
DeleteGrew up in desert center and went to k-8 grade in Eagle mountain. My family still lives out there and I visit often. I helped Film a movie in Eagle mountain about two years back. It's fenced off completely and my best buds dad lives up there and maintains the little bit left running.
ReplyDeleteYou must know the place like the back of your hand! It's nice that your family gives you a good reason to go back and visit. I need to go back one of these days. Such an amazing place. And I'd like to see Eagle Mountain up close, if it ever becomes possible. What movie did you film in Eagle Mountain?
DeleteI remember that any trip across the desert HAD to include a stop at Desert Center for water, check tires, fanbelts, refill your canvas waterbag with water. From Blythe to Indio is about 97 miles and it took you the entire day to get there. A hero was one who could make it to Indio and back in one day.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much things have changed, and sad to see that what was once an important stop has become so neglected.
DeleteI lived up the road 14 miles before Blythe. My folks had a place called Skyway on the Highway. It was torn down when the freeway went in. I remember Desert Center as a busy, bustling place along the highway. Always lots of cars and people there 24/7.
DeleteI lived there for many many years I moved there in 1976 and moved when I graduated in 1990. My brother and I still own land there. It breaks my heart when I go there everyone has a home town to go to and it leaves me so emotional.
ReplyDeleteDesert Center is a fascinating place with a robust history. It deserves to be preserved and celebrated. I was disappointed that even the historical marker has fallen into disrepair. Maybe with some investment, it could become a destination that attracts visitors from Joshua Tree.
DeleteDo you know what the historical marker was for
DeleteGreat pics and cool responses...
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWe stopped by there yesterday the old gas station next to eagle mountain exit due to the bridge being washed out this past year are gone ! Also all rails & ties are now being removed just rr sign and the tracks going across the street is left still 1 tressel remains all ties all the way along the line are staked up ready to be removed forever.2 gas stations left between Desert Center & Eagle Mountain turnoff on left side of road . Made many trips up there when working on the ore crushers in the early 60's - 70's
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updated info, Bob! I'm glad I got to see them before they were removed.
DeleteFantastic images, thanks for sharing these :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bob!
DeleteDesert Center in 1952 was where a once-thriving "flying saucer" cult movement based at a snack bar on Mount Palomar began and took off, thanks to a guy named George Adamski and a few of his "true believer" groupies. Truth is that Adamski and his pals had recently seen the classic "Day The Earth Stood Still" at a movie theater in Indio, and decided to make up having a "visit with an alien" story in hopes that it would bring about world peace. Believe it or not, that group - small though it may be today - still exists!
ReplyDeleteI made a no-budget "docudrama" short film in 1989-90 with a scene set in the Desert Center Cafe. I recall asking a waitress if it would be okay for me to shoot footage out in front of the cafe, and she said, "Go ahead!" We also filmed in the desert a few miles north of DC.
BTW, We had lunch at the DC Cafe, and it was good! They even sold postcards and keychains and other tchotchkes bearing the painting on their sign...good grief, I still have them!
PS: We visited the town around 2000, the cafe was shut down by then as in your photos, but the market was still open for business. We got some sodas and chips there, and moved on...
-KD in PHX
How cool! Thanks for sharing the slice of history! How did your film turn out? Is it available to view online?
DeleteSorry, the film was a bit of a misfire, so it went nowhere...not even to YouTube. Thanks for your kind words, though! Incidentally, did you see the old-timey wooden phone booths inside the Diner? They were located along the back wall, to the far left (east of the lunch counter). --KD
DeleteJim Sullivan, the story and pictures were very interesting. I have been going to Parker, Arizona on the Colorado River since I was 10 years old and have been staying at Fox's RV Resort for 37 years my Second Home. In May this year I am going to start writing a BOOK - AS THE RIVER FLOWS IN PARKER, ARIZONA. I am not a Editor, Writer or Publisher this will be an informal book. Each person can write a paragraph, Page or Pages of their stories about the Colorado River. I will then type an informal word document, add names and photos. This is just going to be for fun and you can be anonymous. If anyone is interested in this email, please send me an email to either Kylene.kay.moran@verizon.net or Kylene.kay.moran@gmail.com. In the email include your Name/Maiden Name, your email address, cell phone in case I need to contact you. You can write whatever you want everyone wants to read about all the good times, memories, what has changed, what you remember that they have had at everyone's HAPPY PLACE.
ReplyDeleteI will private message you Jim Sullivan on Facebook do you have an account and give you my cell phone or send me your email address? Thanks Kylene Moran
I remember eating breakfast at the Cafe as a kid during the early and mid 90's. They had great french toast. I always hoped that someone would open it again. We lived in southern california and had a house in Havasu so my dad would always stop here. I also remember the hamburger stand when it was still operational.
ReplyDeleteJust stopped at Desert Center for a quick walk around. The cafe looks right out of the 50’s, the market’s roof has caved in but the post office is still open. There are lots of no trespassing signs around. Very interesting stop.
ReplyDeleteI used to eat there with my wife in the early 2 thousands pretty cool place too badge is close now.
ReplyDeleteI am truly saddened by the death of a place i knew and loved as a child. I am the grand daughter of Esten and Florence smith. My name is Tara if anyone still remembers me or my family. My father was Brian Smith. I loved this old town and the amazing people in it with all of my heart. Some of my earliest memories are of rumbling around in my grandpa's old willies jeep. Playing in the old tunnel and the ore cart on there mining claim hanging things in the purple bottle tree and going treasure hunting with my grandpa at the dump. I will never forget you Maud and Bill and misses Graves. And i loved catching flies with old Stanley to feed to his lizards. I love you all and you will never die in my memory.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice seeing our old church.Desert Center Community Church.
ReplyDeleteThe building behind the post office.
We was the smallest church in the valley but the best.We had at high point of 30 people but at end it would be maybe 5 of us. But we was blessed.
My oldest sister got married in the church.
It was fun running to the store after Sunday school.
25 cent for a soda and 10 cent for candy bar.
I use to hitch hike to the mine at age 13 to my baseball games. Or home from school.
A lot of great memories and people in a small place will be home in my heart.
My was the score keeper at all the little league at the mine.
From what I've read, it is the birthplace of Kaiser Permanente. At one time there was a small Hospital there. Due to the low income of the residents, a plan was designed to allow treatment under a low cost, one time purchase plan, thus the creation of Health Insurance. I've also read that Gen. Patton would drop in the Cafe for lunch. We would stop in for gas on our way to the river and was able to go inside the cafe until it closed permanently. The last time I was there was 2015, it was completely shut down by then. In 2017 or 2018 everything left was auctioned off, including the sign and gas pumps.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Eagle Mountain (1973-1977), 12 miles from Desert Center. It was a mine run by Kaiser Steel. Kaiser Permanente started there, to provide health care to the miners and their families. The miners actually earned a decent income and rent for company owned houses was as low as $10 a month. Everyone I knew had a boat, a dune buggy, or both. Poverty was not the inciting incident for Kaiser Steel starting Kaiser Permanente.
DeleteI lived in Eagle Mtn for a school year, age 16. It was the year of the Alaska Earthquake...1964;or 5. It was a great community! So sad...
ReplyDeleteI drive by this place two, three times a month, however I rarely have the luxury to stop and enjoy self interest exploration.
ReplyDeleteWell in 1977 when I pumped gas on the graveyard shift it was a bustling place. I don't know how accurate it is but we were told then that it pumped more gallons of gas than any other Texaco station at the time. All of the boats and motor homes heading over to Lake Havasu from L.A. and San Diego stopped and filled up. They would fill the boats because the price of fuel was much cheaper than over at the lake.
ReplyDeleteIt was a full service shop. Every car got the windows washed and the oil checked unless they asked us not to.
On the rare occasion it would rain in the mountains along Rice Road, the water would run across the sand like a drop of water on flour. The washes would have several inches of water in them. People would be driving 80 to 90 mph. When they would hit the water in the bottom of the wash, it would rip the tires right off the wheels. We sold a lot of tires and welded a lot of mufflers during those times.
In those days (when on day shift) they had what we all called hippie vans. Custom vans with carpet and beds in the back. They would stop on the way to the lake and get out with bare feet, a little tipsy from beer and or weed, and start walking to the bathrooms. It was blacktop back then in front of the bathrooms. They would leave patches of skin on the blacktop as the outside temperature was well over 100 degrees in the shade. We would just call the paramedics who would take them into Blythe to be treated.
I lived in Eagle Mountain, about 12 miles to the north west.
I ran out of gas at the desert center exit a week or so ago. This blog has been so interesting reading about the history of the town. I waited for my insurance company to bring me gas while waiting at the abandoned gas station. Another car was there b/c they ran outta gas as well. I will never forgot my 2 hours in Desert Center. Beautiful but was definitely eerie with how empty the town was.
ReplyDeleteOur community is still quite active. We hold elaborate reunions and celebrations,
ReplyDeleteDrop in sometime, were always glad to Answer any questions.
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