Zzyzx, California
Encyclopedia
Zzyzx, California formerly Camp Soda and Soda Springs, is a settlement in San Bernardino County
, California
. It is the former site of the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa and now the site of the Desert Studies Center
. The site is also the location of Lake Tuendae, originally part of the spa, and now a refuge habitat of the endangered Mohave tui chub
.
Zzyzx Road is a 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long, part paved and part dirt, rural collector road
in the Mojave Desert
. It runs from Interstate 15
generally south to the Zzyzx settlement.
The settlement is in area code 760
and ZIP code
92309. The nearest town is Baker, California
, 7 miles (11.3 km) north on I-15. Las Vegas, Nevada
is the nearest major city, about 100 miles (160.9 km) northeast.
, a natural spring, has long seen human activity. The area was a prehistoric quarry site, and projectile points and rock art can be found in the area. The Mojave Road
ran past the spring, as did the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad
. Remnants of a wagon road stop and railroad artifacts are readily seen. Evaporative salt mining and mill sites can be found here as well.
The name Zzyzx was given to the area in 1944 by Curtis Howe Springer
, claiming it to be the last word in the English language. Springer made up the word's pronunciation "zy-zicks". He established the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa in 1944 at the spot, which was federal land, after filing mining claims
for 12000 acres (48.6 km²) surrounding the springs. He used the springs to bottle his water and provide drinks for travelers through the hot desert. Springer also imported animals from around the country to attract more families to visit his ranch. He used Zzyzx until 1974, when he was arrested by the United States Marshals for misuse of the land as well as alleged violations of food and drug laws, and the land was reclaimed by the government.
Since 1976, the Bureau of Land Management
has allowed California State University
to manage the land in and around Zzyzx. A consortium of CSU campuses use it as their Desert Studies Center
.
. The magazine characterized Zzyzx Springs as "a hydrologic feature and a privately owned spa catering to the senior citizen, about 8.5 mi (13.7 km) south of Baker
on the western edge of Soda Dry Lake, off the abandoned right-of-way of the old Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad
."
Zzyzx was approved as a place name by the United States Board on Geographic Names
on June 14, 1984. As is the case with the road, Zzyzx, California, is the USBGN's lexicographically greatest (alphabetically last, at least in English alphabetical order) place name.
San 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...
, 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...
. It is the former site of the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa and now the site of the Desert Studies Center
Desert Studies Center
The Desert Studies Center is a field station of the California State University located in Zzyzx, California in the Mojave Desert. The purpose of the Center is to provide opportunities to conduct research, receive instruction and experience the Mojave Desert environment...
. The site is also the location of Lake Tuendae, originally part of the spa, and now a refuge habitat of the endangered Mohave tui chub
Mohave tui chub
The Mohave tui chub is an endangered chub originally found only in the Mojave River. Even though named after the Mojave River, the fish's name is normally spelled "Mohave"...
.
Zzyzx Road is a 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long, part paved and part dirt, rural collector road
Collector road
A collector road or distributor road is a low to moderate-capacity road which serve to move traffic from local streets to arterial roads. Unlike arterials, collectors are also designed to provide access to residential properties...
in 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...
. It runs from Interstate 15
Interstate 15 in California
In the U.S. state of California, Interstate 15 is a major north–south route through the San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties, and it has a length of in the state. It is a major thoroughfare for traffic between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as points beyond...
generally south to the Zzyzx settlement.
The settlement is in area code 760
Area code 760
Image:Area_code_442.svg|right|Map of California area codes in blue with 442/760 in redrect 65 82 92 100 Area code 916rect 220 242 245 256 Area code 909rect 243 274 265 287 Area code 951rect 136 323 160 338 Area code 858...
and ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
92309. The nearest town is Baker, California
Baker, California
Baker is a census-designated place located in San Bernardino County, California, USA. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 735.Baker was founded as a station on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad in 1908,...
, 7 miles (11.3 km) north on I-15. Las Vegas, Nevada
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...
is the nearest major city, about 100 miles (160.9 km) northeast.
History
Soda SpringsSoda Springs
Soda Springs is the name of over 80 places in the United States, including at least 27 water springs.There are 8 populated places named Soda Springs in the United States:*Soda Springs, California**Soda Springs, Mendocino County, California...
, a natural spring, has long seen human activity. The area was a prehistoric quarry site, and projectile points and rock art can be found in the area. The Mojave Road
Mojave Road
The Mojave Road or Mojave Trail is a historic route and present day 'four-wheel drive road' across what is now the Mojave National Preserve in the Mojave Desert of California, United States.-History:...
ran past the spring, as did the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad
Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad
The Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, the T&T, was a class II railroad extending through remote reaches of the Mojave Desert from the Santa Fe Railway railhead at Ludlow, California, through Death Valley and Amargosa Valley, terminating at the Mining towns of Tonopah and Goldfield in the Great Basin...
. Remnants of a wagon road stop and railroad artifacts are readily seen. Evaporative salt mining and mill sites can be found here as well.
The name Zzyzx was given to the area in 1944 by Curtis Howe Springer
Curtis Howe Springer
Curtis Howe Springer was an American radio evangelist, self-proclaimed medical doctor and Methodist minister best known for founding the Zzyzx Mineral Springs resort located within Southern California's Mojave Desert...
, claiming it to be the last word in the English language. Springer made up the word's pronunciation "zy-zicks". He established the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa in 1944 at the spot, which was federal land, after filing mining claims
General Mining Act of 1872
The General Mining Act of 1872 is a United States federal law that authorizes and governs prospecting and mining for economic minerals, such as gold, platinum, and silver, on federal public lands...
for 12000 acres (48.6 km²) surrounding the springs. He used the springs to bottle his water and provide drinks for travelers through the hot desert. Springer also imported animals from around the country to attract more families to visit his ranch. He used Zzyzx until 1974, when he was arrested by the United States Marshals for misuse of the land as well as alleged violations of food and drug laws, and the land was reclaimed by the government.
Since 1976, the Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
has allowed California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
to manage the land in and around Zzyzx. A consortium of CSU campuses use it as their Desert Studies Center
Desert Studies Center
The Desert Studies Center is a field station of the California State University located in Zzyzx, California in the Mojave Desert. The purpose of the Center is to provide opportunities to conduct research, receive instruction and experience the Mojave Desert environment...
.
Lexicography
Word Ways magazine verified the source of the lexicography as an undated San Bernardino County map published by the Automobile Club of Southern CaliforniaAutomobile Club of Southern California
The Automobile Club of Southern California is the Southern California affiliate of the American Automobile Association federation of motor clubs...
. The magazine characterized Zzyzx Springs as "a hydrologic feature and a privately owned spa catering to the senior citizen, about 8.5 mi (13.7 km) south of Baker
Baker, California
Baker is a census-designated place located in San Bernardino County, California, USA. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 735.Baker was founded as a station on the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad in 1908,...
on the western edge of Soda Dry Lake, off the abandoned right-of-way of the old Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad
Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad
The Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, the T&T, was a class II railroad extending through remote reaches of the Mojave Desert from the Santa Fe Railway railhead at Ludlow, California, through Death Valley and Amargosa Valley, terminating at the Mining towns of Tonopah and Goldfield in the Great Basin...
."
Zzyzx was approved as a place name by the United States Board on Geographic Names
United States Board on Geographic Names
The United States Board on Geographic Names is a United States federal body whose purpose is to establish and maintain uniform usage of geographic names throughout the U.S. government.-Overview:...
on June 14, 1984. As is the case with the road, Zzyzx, California, is the USBGN's lexicographically greatest (alphabetically last, at least in English alphabetical order) place name.
Popular culture references
- Referred to in the song "Zzyzx Scarecrow" by StavesacreStavesacreStavesacre was an American rock band from Huntington Beach, California formed in 1995. The band was composed of vocalist Mark Salomon, guitarists Jeff Bellew and Ryan Dennee, bassist Dirk Lemmenes and drummer Sam West....
- A singleSingle (music)In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by American band, Stone SourStone SourStone Sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, the group has been composed of Corey Taylor , Jim Root , Josh Rand, , Shawn Economaki and Roy Mayorga . Original drummer Joel Ekman left the group in 2006...
, from the album Come What(ever) MayCome What(ever) MayCome What May is the second studio album by American alternative metal band Stone Sour. It was recorded and produced by the band and Nick Raskulinecz at Studio 606 in Los Angeles, California, and was released on August 1, 2006, through Roadrunner Records... - An album by Norwegian band, ZeromancerZeromancerZeromancer is a Norwegian industrial rock band formed in 1999 by members of the band Seigmen. The current lineup is Alex Møklebust , Kim Ljung , Noralf Ronthi Lorry Kristiansen and Dan Heide...
- A novel by Michael PetraccaMichael PetraccaMichael Petracca is an American novelist who teaches research writing and creative nonfiction and has served as Acting Co-Director of the Writing Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Petracca's two novels, Doctor Syntax and Captain Zzyzx, published by Capra Press, feature Harmon...
, Captain Zzyzx (1992), ISBN 978-1-877741-06-7 - In a video for Beggars and Thieves (band), Beggars and Thieves (song) there is a 'Zzyzx Rd' sign shown.
- A 2005 horror film, ZzyzxZzyzx (film)Zzyzx is a thriller set in the Mojave Desert and Las Vegas. The film was written by Art D'Alessandro, produced and directed by Richard Halpern, and stars Kenny Johnson, Robyn Cohen, Ryan Fox, and Kayo Zepeda.-Plot:...
, was directed by Richard Halpern. - Referred to as a major story segment in a novel by Michael ConnellyMichael ConnellyMichael Connelly is an American author of detective novels and other crime fiction, notably those featuring LAPD Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch and criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller. His books, which have been translated into 36 languages, have garnered him many awards...
The Narrows (part of the Harry Bosch series). - A song title by the punk band Off With Their HeadsOff With Their Heads (band)Off with Their Heads is a punk rock band formed in 2002 from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since their formation, they have often featured a rotating line-up of tour players, due to their members' other commitments and Off With Their Head's own full-time touring schedule...
on their 2010 In Desolation album. - A song called Zzyzx Road by Ivan IvesIvan IvesIvan Ives is an American hip hop artist born in Leningrad - living in Los Angeles, California. Although from Russia, all of his work has been composed while growing up and living in the United States. He has worked with the likes of The Cool Kids, Black Milk, Percee P , Oh No , Tre Hardson ,...
on his 2007 Iconoclast Album. - Popular jamband Phish has used the term Zzyzx as the nickname of its setlist generator page found at www.ihoz.com/phishstats,html
See also
- Curtis Howe SpringerCurtis Howe SpringerCurtis Howe Springer was an American radio evangelist, self-proclaimed medical doctor and Methodist minister best known for founding the Zzyzx Mineral Springs resort located within Southern California's Mojave Desert...
for more information about the health spa - Tonopah and Tidewater RailroadTonopah and Tidewater RailroadThe Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, the T&T, was a class II railroad extending through remote reaches of the Mojave Desert from the Santa Fe Railway railhead at Ludlow, California, through Death Valley and Amargosa Valley, terminating at the Mining towns of Tonopah and Goldfield in the Great Basin...
- Zzyzx (disambiguation)
External links
- USGS GNIS entries for , , and
- Word Ways article and the main source of information for this article
- Ecological sites along U.S. Interstate 15 Small photo of road sign
- Zzyzx photos and historical information