Boron, California
Encyclopedia
Boron is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Kern County
, California
, United States
. Boron is located 15 miles (24 km) east-southeast of Castle Butte, at an elevation of 2467 feet (752 m). The population was 2,253 at the 2010 census, up from 2,025 at the 2000 census. Boron is named after the element boron
and is the location of the world's largest source of the boron compound, boric acid
.
Boron is a hinterland
community on the western edge of the Mojave Desert
. Within a half day's drive one can view the highest and lowest points in the contiguous 48 states of the United States (Mount Whitney
and Death Valley
), the world's oldest tree (the Bristlecone Pine
), and the cities of both Los Angeles
and Las Vegas
.
Boron is home to the U.S. Borax Boron Mine, California's largest open-pit mine, which is also the largest borax
mine in the world. 35°2′34.447"N 117°40′45.412"W
Counties along State Route 58
. The coordinates are: 34°59′58"N 117°38′59"W. Boron is 65 miles (104.6 km) north of Palmdale
, 85 miles (136.8 km) east of Bakersfield
, and 40 miles (64.4 km) west of Barstow
in the Antelope Valley
region of California's Mojave Desert
.
Its elevation is 2467 feet (751.9 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 13.8 square miles (35.7 km²), over 99% of it land.
was 163.0 people per square mile (62.9/km²). The racial makeup of Boron was 1,746 (77.5%) White, 162 (7.2%) African American, 49 (2.2%) Native American, 47 (2.1%) Asian, 4 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 141 (6.3%) from other races
, and 104 (4.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 406 persons (18.0%).
The Census reported that 2,253 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 892 households, out of which 295 (33.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 364 (40.8%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 126 (14.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 61 (6.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 67 (7.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 3 (0.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 294 households (33.0%) were made up of individuals and 112 (12.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53. There were 551 families
(61.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.21.
The population was spread out with 621 people (27.6%) under the age of 18, 173 people (7.7%) aged 18 to 24, 472 people (20.9%) aged 25 to 44, 691 people (30.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 296 people (13.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.
There were 1,208 housing units at an average density of 87.4 per square mile (33.7/km²), of which 505 (56.6%) were owner-occupied, and 387 (43.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 31.4%. 1,246 people (55.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,007 people (44.7%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 2,025 people, 801 households, and 535 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 146.2 people per square mile (56.5/km²). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 79.6 per square mile (30.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.04% White
, 2.22% Black
or African American
, 2.86% Native American
, 1.58% Asian
, 0.10% Pacific Islander
, 4.74% from other races
, and 3.46% from two or more races. 9.04% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 801 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,625, and the median income for a family was $44,674. Males had a median income of $47,045 versus $23,854 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $18,294. About 15.2% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.8% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.
, a borax
ore, in October, 1913. After his discovery, mining claims, mostly placer, were located in the area. The Pacific Coast Borax Company, upon recommendation of its field engineer, Clarence Rasor, acquired many of these claims, including the discovery well. The company then started explorations to determine the extent of the orebody. Suckow continued to have an interest in the area, working prospects east of his discovery well.
"In 1924, anxious to repeat his good fortune, Suckow sunk a shaft one-half mile away from his first, and he struck basalt at 180 feet (54.9 m) . The Pacific Coast Borax Company did their own prospecting in the same area, with almost the same results: basalt at 190 feet (57.9 m). However, persistence paid off. That same year Suckow sunk another shaft just a little south of his last one and found a 70 feet (21.3 m) thick bed of colemanite at 210 feet (64 m). In 1925 the Suckow Chemical Company produced a few hundred tons of colemanite from this shaft.
"In the Spring of 1925, William M. Dowsing and J. L. Hannan discovered a huge deposit 120 feet (36.6 m) thick just 1½ miles west of Suckow's shaft, which they kept a secret until its extent was proven. Sold to the Pacific Coast Borax Company in early 1926, it became known as the Baker Mine. Beginning production in 1927, it yielded a substantial percentage of the borates produced in the Kramer District until 1935.
"Production began in December, 1929, at the Suckow Mine, located near the Baker Mine. Suckow Borax Mines Consolidated, Ltd. shared half-interest as tenant in common of the Suckow Mine with Borax Consolidated, Ltd. The two companies became involved in litigation which resulted in the closure of the mine in 1932. It was reopened in 1935 as the West Baker Mine with the Borax Consolidated, Ltd. as owners."
The first post office at Boron opened in 1938.
(formerly U.S. Borax
). This is operated as an open-pit mine
, which is the largest open-pit mine in California. This mine supplies nearly half of the world's supply of refined borates. Rio Tinto Minerals is Boron's primary employer, employing over 800 people.
6 miles (9.7 km) east of Boron, across the county line in San Bernardino County, is the world's largest solar power production facility. The Kramer Junction Company (KJC) is the Managing General Partner of the five 30-Megawatts Solar Energy Generating Systems
(SEGS) facilities located in the Mojave Desert at Kramer Junction, California. Together with its wholly owned subsidiary, KJC Operating Company, KJC operates and manages these facilities (SEGS III-VII). These units generate enough electricity to provide the electrical needs of 30,000 to 40,000 homes without the use of fossil fuels.
in 1940. Boron currently has eight churches. They are the Assembly of God Church, the Boron Bible Church, the Church of Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the First Baptist Church of Boron, the Jesus Name Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Christians in Faith Church.
(2000), starring Julia Roberts
, and various other movies have been filmed in the town, often using citizens as extras.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Kern County
Kern County, California
Spreading across the southern end of the California Central Valley, Kern County is the fifth-largest county by population in California. Its economy is heavily linked to agriculture and to petroleum extraction, and there is a strong aviation and space presence. Politically, it has generally...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Boron is located 15 miles (24 km) east-southeast of Castle Butte, at an elevation of 2467 feet (752 m). The population was 2,253 at the 2010 census, up from 2,025 at the 2000 census. Boron is named after the element boron
Boron
Boron is the chemical element with atomic number 5 and the chemical symbol B. Boron is a metalloid. Because boron is not produced by stellar nucleosynthesis, it is a low-abundance element in both the solar system and the Earth's crust. However, boron is concentrated on Earth by the...
and is the location of the world's largest source of the boron compound, boric acid
Boric acid
Boric acid, also called hydrogen borate or boracic acid or orthoboric acid or acidum boricum, is a weak acid of boron often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, as a neutron absorber, and as a precursor of other chemical compounds. It exists in the form of colorless crystals or a...
.
Boron is a hinterland
Hinterland
The hinterland is the land or district behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast. The area from which products are delivered to a port for...
community on the western edge of the Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
. Within a half day's drive one can view the highest and lowest points in the contiguous 48 states of the United States (Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States with an elevation of . It is on the boundary between California's Inyo and Tulare counties, west-northwest of the lowest point in North America at Badwater in Death Valley National Park...
and Death Valley
Death Valley
Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California. Situated within the Mojave Desert, it features the lowest, driest, and hottest locations in North America. Badwater, a basin located in Death Valley, is the specific location of the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below...
), the world's oldest tree (the Bristlecone Pine
Bristlecone pine
The bristlecone pines are a small group of pine trees that are thought to reach an age far greater than that of any other single living organism known, up to nearly 5,000 years....
), and the cities of both Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
Boron is home to the U.S. Borax Boron Mine, California's largest open-pit mine, which is also the largest borax
Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.Borax has a wide variety of uses...
mine in the world. 35°2′34.447"N 117°40′45.412"W
Geography
Boron is located at the border of Kern and San BernardinoSan Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
Counties along State Route 58
California State Route 58
State Route 58 is an east-west highway across the California Coast Ranges, the southern San Joaquin Valley, the Tehachapi Mountains, which border the southern Sierra Nevada, and the Mojave Desert. It runs between its western terminus near Santa Margarita and its eastern terminus at Barstow...
. The coordinates are: 34°59′58"N 117°38′59"W. Boron is 65 miles (104.6 km) north of Palmdale
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, 85 miles (136.8 km) east of Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, and 40 miles (64.4 km) west of Barstow
Barstow, California
Barstow is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 22,639 at the 2010 census, up from 21,119 at the 2000 census. Barstow is located north of San Bernardino....
in the Antelope Valley
Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley in California, United States, is located in northern Los Angeles County and the southeastern portion of Kern County, California, and constitutes the western tip of the Mojave Desert...
region of California's Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
.
Its elevation is 2467 feet (751.9 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 13.8 square miles (35.7 km²), over 99% of it land.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Boron had a population of 2,253. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 163.0 people per square mile (62.9/km²). The racial makeup of Boron was 1,746 (77.5%) White, 162 (7.2%) African American, 49 (2.2%) Native American, 47 (2.1%) Asian, 4 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 141 (6.3%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 104 (4.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 406 persons (18.0%).
The Census reported that 2,253 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 892 households, out of which 295 (33.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 364 (40.8%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 126 (14.1%) had a female householder with no husband present, 61 (6.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 67 (7.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 3 (0.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 294 households (33.0%) were made up of individuals and 112 (12.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53. There were 551 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(61.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.21.
The population was spread out with 621 people (27.6%) under the age of 18, 173 people (7.7%) aged 18 to 24, 472 people (20.9%) aged 25 to 44, 691 people (30.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 296 people (13.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.
There were 1,208 housing units at an average density of 87.4 per square mile (33.7/km²), of which 505 (56.6%) were owner-occupied, and 387 (43.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 31.4%. 1,246 people (55.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,007 people (44.7%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,025 people, 801 households, and 535 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 146.2 people per square mile (56.5/km²). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 79.6 per square mile (30.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.04% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.22% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.86% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.58% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.10% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.74% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.46% from two or more races. 9.04% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 801 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,625, and the median income for a family was $44,674. Males had a median income of $47,045 versus $23,854 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $18,294. About 15.2% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.8% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
"Dr. J. K. Suckow was drilling a well for water 4½ miles northwest of Boron when he discovered colemaniteColemanite
Colemanite is a borate mineral found in evaporite deposits of alkaline lacustrine environments. Colemanite is a secondary mineral that forms by alteration of borax and ulexite....
, a borax
Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.Borax has a wide variety of uses...
ore, in October, 1913. After his discovery, mining claims, mostly placer, were located in the area. The Pacific Coast Borax Company, upon recommendation of its field engineer, Clarence Rasor, acquired many of these claims, including the discovery well. The company then started explorations to determine the extent of the orebody. Suckow continued to have an interest in the area, working prospects east of his discovery well.
"In 1924, anxious to repeat his good fortune, Suckow sunk a shaft one-half mile away from his first, and he struck basalt at 180 feet (54.9 m) . The Pacific Coast Borax Company did their own prospecting in the same area, with almost the same results: basalt at 190 feet (57.9 m). However, persistence paid off. That same year Suckow sunk another shaft just a little south of his last one and found a 70 feet (21.3 m) thick bed of colemanite at 210 feet (64 m). In 1925 the Suckow Chemical Company produced a few hundred tons of colemanite from this shaft.
"In the Spring of 1925, William M. Dowsing and J. L. Hannan discovered a huge deposit 120 feet (36.6 m) thick just 1½ miles west of Suckow's shaft, which they kept a secret until its extent was proven. Sold to the Pacific Coast Borax Company in early 1926, it became known as the Baker Mine. Beginning production in 1927, it yielded a substantial percentage of the borates produced in the Kramer District until 1935.
"Production began in December, 1929, at the Suckow Mine, located near the Baker Mine. Suckow Borax Mines Consolidated, Ltd. shared half-interest as tenant in common of the Suckow Mine with Borax Consolidated, Ltd. The two companies became involved in litigation which resulted in the closure of the mine in 1932. It was reopened in 1935 as the West Baker Mine with the Borax Consolidated, Ltd. as owners."
The first post office at Boron opened in 1938.
Industry
A large borax deposit was discovered in 1925, and the mining town of Boron was established soon thereafter. This borax deposit is now the world's largest borax mine, which is owned by Rio Tinto MineralsRio Tinto Group
The Rio Tinto Group is a diversified, British-Australian, multinational mining and resources group with headquarters in London and Melbourne. The company was founded in 1873, when a multinational consortium of investors purchased a mine complex on the Rio Tinto river, in Huelva, Spain from the...
(formerly U.S. Borax
Pacific Coast Borax Company
The Pacific Coast Borax Company was a United States mining company founded in 1890 by the American borax magnate Francis "Borax" Smith, the "Borax King".-History:...
). This is operated as an open-pit mine
Open-pit mining
Open-pit mining or opencast mining refers to a method of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open pit or borrow....
, which is the largest open-pit mine in California. This mine supplies nearly half of the world's supply of refined borates. Rio Tinto Minerals is Boron's primary employer, employing over 800 people.
6 miles (9.7 km) east of Boron, across the county line in San Bernardino County, is the world's largest solar power production facility. The Kramer Junction Company (KJC) is the Managing General Partner of the five 30-Megawatts Solar Energy Generating Systems
Solar Energy Generating Systems
Solar Energy Generating Systems is the largest solar energy generating facility in the world. It consists of nine solar power plants in California's Mojave Desert, where insolation is among the best available in the United States...
(SEGS) facilities located in the Mojave Desert at Kramer Junction, California. Together with its wholly owned subsidiary, KJC Operating Company, KJC operates and manages these facilities (SEGS III-VII). These units generate enough electricity to provide the electrical needs of 30,000 to 40,000 homes without the use of fossil fuels.
Law enforcement
Law enforcement services are provided by the Kern County Sheriff's Department. From 1933 to 1954 personnel from the Mojave Substation met the law enforcement need of the Boron area. The first actual office space occupied by the Sheriff's Office in Boron was a Quonset hut shared with the Fire Department in the 12200 block of Boron Avenue. This continued until 1963 when the Sheriff's Office established the substation building at 26949 Cote Street. This building housed a small jail and the Justice Court in Boron, which operated one day a week.Fire services
In 1969 the new Boron station 17 opened at 26965 Cote Street. This fire station is operated by the Kern County Fire Department.Schools
Boron schools are part of the Muroc Joint Unified School District. The local Boron schools include the K – 6 grade West Boron Elementary School, and the 7 – 12th grade Boron High School. Boron High School's mascot is the Bobcat. Boron's first school, Gephart School was built in 1929. It burned to the ground in 1994.Churches
Boron's original church building was completed for the First Baptist ChurchFirst Baptist Church (Boron, California)
The First Baptist Church of Boron was founded over 70 years ago in 1938, as the First Baptist Church of Amargo , the first organized church in the community now known as Boron, California, then renamed the Community Baptist Church of Boron, then finally the First Baptist Church of Boron in 1955...
in 1940. Boron currently has eight churches. They are the Assembly of God Church, the Boron Bible Church, the Church of Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the First Baptist Church of Boron, the Jesus Name Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Christians in Faith Church.
Notable residents
- Boron was the home of "Walking George" SwainGeorge SwainGeorge Swain was a local legend from Boron. His knickname was "Walking George."He had penchant for walking that made him a legend among locals, in the Los Angeles Times, and even on national television...
, whose penchant for walking made him a legend. George earned his name as "Walking George" because he never owned a car, or home, and walked to and from work — from his home, which was always rumored to be just a hole in the desert. He supposedly kept himself warm at night with a covering of newspapers. His wardrobe was always the same: wrinkled shirt and pants with well-worn boots. He attended local events and often played the piano for entertainment. He taught piano to children in Boron and played at the Baptist Church. On his 59th birthday in 1978 an article about George appeared in the Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
. By May 1979 he was featured on the TV show "Real PeopleReal PeopleReal People is an NBC reality television series that aired from 1979 to 1984, on Wednesday and then Sunday nights. Its initial episodes aired live in the Eastern and Central Time Zones.-Synopsis:...
". He died on April 25, 2000.
Media
The movie Erin BrockovichErin Brockovich (film)
Erin Brockovich is a 2000 biographical film directed by Steven Soderbergh. The film is a dramatization of the story of Erin Brockovich, played by Julia Roberts, who fought against the US West Coast energy corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Roberts won the Academy Award, Golden Globe,...
(2000), starring Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts is an American actress. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman , which grossed $464 million worldwide...
, and various other movies have been filmed in the town, often using citizens as extras.
- Movies/shows using locations in and around Boron
- Erin BrockovichErin BrockovichErin Brockovich-Ellis is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who, despite the lack of a formal law school education, or any legal education, was instrumental in constructing a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company of California in 1993...
(2000) - Gentleman Don La Mancha (2004)
- Gridiron GangGridiron GangGridiron Gang is a 2006 American film starring Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, and Kevin Dunn. It was filmed in California at Camp Kilpatrick, a Los Angeles County Probation Department facility. It is loosely based on the true story of the Kilpatrick Mustangs during the 1990 season...
(1993) (TV) - Neon Signs (1996)
- Spotlight on Location: Erin Brockovich (2000) (TV)
- ...aka Making of 'Erin Brockovich', The (2000) (TV)
- Death Valley DaysDeath Valley DaysDeath Valley Days is an American radio and television anthology series featuring true stories of the old American West, particularly the Death Valley area. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was broadcast on radio until 1945. It continued from 1952 to 1975 as a syndicated television series...
(1952–1975) - The CarpetbaggersThe CarpetbaggersThe Carpetbaggers is the title of a 1961 bestselling novel by Harold Robbins, which was adapted into a 1964 film of the same title.The term "carpetbagger" refers to an outsider relocating to exploit locals . It derives from post-bellum South usage, where it referred specifically to opportunistic...
(1964)