Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Mojave Desert: Zzyzx Road - Exit Here


Zzyzx Rd is 6 miles SW of Baker, CA (photo: Megan Edwards)

If you’ve traveled between Los Angeles and Las Vegas on Interstate 15, no doubt you’ve seen the Zzyzx Road sign pointing towards the unknown. If you follow Zzyzx Road off the highway, you’ll discover the paved road quickly turns to dirt and gravel with a few bumps, twists and turns. After about four miles, you’ll reach its destination, the California State Desert Studies Center, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. In fact, it’s in the middle of the 1.6 million-acre Mojave National Preserve.

Lake Tuendae at Zzyzx (photo: Rob Fulton)

What’s the story behind the oddly named Zzyzx (pronounced Zye-Zix)? It began in 1944 when a self-proclaimed radio evangelist and medicine man named Curtis Springer built a health retreat in the arid Mojave Desert and named it Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa. The name was designed to be the last word in the English language and the retreat was to be the cure-all for every ailment under the sun. At the time, Springer had a radio show in Los Angeles and used the airwaves to intensely promote the resort and his miracle-working concoctions of juices, teas and tonics. Free bus rides to Zzyzx were offered each Wednesday to remedy-seeking hopefuls anxious to soak in the springs. Guests weren’t charged for lodging and meals though donations were strongly encouraged.

Zzyzx guest rooms, now part of the Desert Studies Center (photo: Rob Fulton)

By the 1950’s, Zzyzx Mineral Springs was a flourishing success. Springer began offering lots for sale on the adjacent property, taking advantage of well-to-do clients that wanted year-round use of the healing waters. Sizeable donations continued to roll in. There was one slight problem. Springer did not own the land he was selling or the land on which his resort was built. Yes, he was essentially a poacher! Around this time authorities were also getting complaints about the magic potions Springer was selling. The flimflam man’s bluff was busted. In 1974 Springer and his followers were evicted from Zzyzx and the land reclaimed by the government. Springer was arrested for food and drug violations and spent several months in jail before retiring to Las Vegas. Curtis Springer died in 1986.

Desert Studies Center housing units at Zzyzx

Since 1976, the Desert Studies Center has occupied the former Zzyzx Mineral Springs Resort site. As part of the California State University system, the research facility attracts thousands of students, teachers and scientists who want to learn about desert habitats, flora and fauna.

Next time you drive down I-15 and approach the Zzyzx sign, consider a detour to the infamous site. Just beware of any smooth-talking strangers trying to sell you a plot of land!

More Information: Zzyzx

For more “Z” themed posts, visit the ABC Wednesday home page.
.

31 comments:

  1. What a terrific and fascinating post for the Z day! I love it! I'd never heard of Zzyzx before, so it was even more fun to read! Ah, takes all kinds! And Springers do seem to follow the same career path -- wonder if Jerry Springer is related to Curtis? That would be a hoot! Really great one for the day! Thanks! Have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is one of the more intriguing blogger stories I've read in a while. An oasis at the end of an obscure dirt desert road. What could be better?

    ReplyDelete
  3. That was fascinating. Enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How very interesting to read. Thank you for teaching me something I did not know before. A great Wednesday for you.

    daily athens

    ReplyDelete
  5. I remember seeing this on PBS"s California Gold with Huell Howser. Fascinating and certainly the most original use of the letter Z.

    ReplyDelete
  6. YES! We've passed that sign many times! What a great "z" post. I had no idea that the desert studies center was there, however!

    ReplyDelete
  7. talk about the end of the alphabet, not to mention, the end of the road!

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've seen the sign but had no idea of the history. Fascinating! Thanks for the Z!

    ReplyDelete
  9. amazing tale! lovely take on the theme!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a name for a place! Great job with this gem of a find ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a great and interesting story! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have seen this sign on another blog before and thought it was a hoax, so it's brilliant to find out it's actually for real. Next time I'm in the area...

    ReplyDelete
  13. I had the same thought as Sylvia K about the Springer connection, ha!

    Amazing surprise at the end of that road.

    Btw, is there any letter you can't find a destination for? :D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very enjoyable story and fantastic take on the theme, very unique!!


    ABC-W:Z

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have passed that sign SO many times and always said, "We've got to explore out there." I had no idea of the history...what an informative post this is. Thank yo SO much!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The sign made me giggle as soon as I saw it! And, I suppose the old adage is true...If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Glad they are using the facility for something positive now.

    ReplyDelete
  17. How absolutely fascinating! I have driven down that road, with OH, and noticed the sign, but never knew the story, though OH now tells me that he read something in a guide book about it - but it seems the guide book didn't get it entirely right! I've forwarded him this link. :)

    Great post! One of the best I've read this week!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Glad you provided a pronunciation. What a fascinating story, Springer lasted some time before being rumbled.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This was a fun read. And who knew how to pronounce this name until your post. This has to be the definitive Z post for the week.

    Thanks for stopping by Oakland Daily Photo and leaving a comment. Hope you visit again.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very interesting post! I lived in SoCal for many years, but never heard this story. Amazing! Audacity can take one a long ways, can't it?

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love that name but how is it pronounced? And while I'm at it, as a Pastor's wife I can ask "What is it with these crooked TV evangelists!" It makes me angry because they besmirch the Lord's name! Such fakes and phonies. Sorry. Just a rant!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fascinating post! Some people will try to sell bottled air if they can get away with it. I wonder what happened to the plots that had been 'bought'? Presumably they were reclaimed by the state.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have never been in the USA but the story is so great. Well, at least you also wrote on how to pronounce the Zzyzx..lol

    Thanks anyway for your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the many new places we see each Wednesday! So glad you are aboard Thanks so much - hope to see you in Round 7!
    Denise
    ABC Team

    ReplyDelete
  25. It sounds a fascinating place. I've read a few different blogposts about the place in the last few years and you've added a bit more to the story.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am from the Inland Empire and go past this sign all my life on our way to Utah and never new how to pronounce the name. Next month on our way to Utah this sign will now have meaning and I will know how to pronounce it. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. sounds like springer took a nothing piece of desert and turned into a success. then the government took it over....oh for research..always land grabbing

    ReplyDelete
  28. Just took the left on our way back from Vegas. Came upon wild mountain goats. Got some nice photos. Beautiful desert scenery. We turned around at the doer (sharp rocks). Maybe next time we will go further...

    ReplyDelete
  29. Very interesting to read.. thank you

    ReplyDelete