Lucerne Valley, California
Encyclopedia
Lucerne Valley is a census-designated place
located in the Mojave Desert
of western San Bernardino County
, California
. It lies east of the Victor Valley, whose population nexus includes Victorville
, Apple Valley
, and Hesperia
. The population was 5,811 at the 2010 census.
and 20 miles downhill north of Big Bear
in the southern reaches of the Mojave Desert
. It is surrounded by several mountain ranges which include the Granite mountain range, the Ord mountain range, and the San Bernardino mountain range. The heart of Lucerne Valley is located on the crossroads of State Route 247
(Old Woman Springs Road / Barstow Road) and State Route 18. Yucca Valley lies 45 miles east via Route 247/Old Woman Springs Road.
In San Bernardino County, Lucerne Valley's area is also identified as County Service Area 29.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP covers an area of 105.6 square miles (273.5 km²), all of it land.
, and Serrano
Tribes as "Chimney Rock", which is a California Historical Site of Interest; On February 1, 1867, Chimney Rock was the last major battle between California settlers and Native Americans. A monument marker is present on the western edge of Highway 18 at the western entrance to the town.
Lucerne Valley was settled and named in 1897 by James Goulding and his family, who found the desert valley to be an excellent place to raise alfalfa
, also known as lucerne. The closest water source at the time was Cushenbury Springs (currently a cement plant in the southeast of the area) which used to feed out by alluvial drainage after winter from the San Bernardino Mountains. The waterflow for the entire valley is fed this way through underground Artesian wells.
Today, Lucerne Valley is an agricultural/mining-based community, with Mitsubishi Cement, Specialty Minerals (formerly Pfizer), and OMYA (formerly Pluess-Staufer) as its major contractors digging into the North Face of the San Bernardino Mountain Range. Lucerne Valley also has a state-sponsored water reclamation project, where treated wastewater from Big Bear
and Holcomb Valley
is transported via pipeline and used to irrigate alfalfa farms on the eastern edge of the valley.
One of the roads east of the town limit, Meridian Road, is the geographical "Median" of San Bernardino County dividing the area of the county into west and east.
proposals for the Los Angeles' centric Department of Water and Power, who recently cancelled an attempt to install a 2 mile wide water and power corridor in the Southern half of the town to transport distant resources into Los Angeles.
was 55.0 people per square mile (21.2/km²). The racial makeup of Lucerne Valley was 4,507 (77.6%) White, 170 (2.9%) African American, 106 (1.8%) Native American, 90 (1.5%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 676 (11.6%) from other races
, and 262 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,447 persons (24.9%).
The Census reported that 5,780 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 31 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,176 households, out of which 685 (31.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 954 (43.8%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 280 (12.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 157 (7.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 146 (6.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 14 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 632 households (29.0%) were made up of individuals and 255 (11.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66. There were 1,391 families
(63.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.28.
The population was spread out with 1,424 people (24.5%) under the age of 18, 452 people (7.8%) aged 18 to 24, 1,214 people (20.9%) aged 25 to 44, 1,780 people (30.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 941 people (16.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.7 years. For every 100 females there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.
There were 2,949 housing units at an average density of 27.9 per square mile (10.8/km²), of which 1,454 (66.8%) were owner-occupied, and 722 (33.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.0%. 3,800 people (65.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,980 people (34.1%) lived in rental housing units.
operates a Substation inside of town limits. The San Bernardino County Fire Department provides a full-time staffed fire station. Cal Fire also staffs a fire station. The California Highway Patrol
provides traffic enforcement and investigation.
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...
located 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...
of western San Bernardino County
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 lies east of the Victor Valley, whose population nexus includes Victorville
Victorville, California
Victorville is a city located in the Victor Valley of southwestern San Bernardino County, California. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 census, the city had a population of 115,903, up from 64,030 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:...
, Apple Valley
Apple Valley, California
-Climate:*On average, the warmest month is July.*The highest recorded temperature was in 2002.*On average, the coolest month is December.*The lowest recorded temperature was in 1949.*The most precipitation on average occurs in February.-History:...
, and Hesperia
Hesperia, California
Hesperia is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is located in the Mojave Desert north of San Bernardino. The locals refer to the surrounding area as the High Desert...
. The population was 5,811 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Lucerne Valley is located 19 miles east of Apple ValleyApple Valley, California
-Climate:*On average, the warmest month is July.*The highest recorded temperature was in 2002.*On average, the coolest month is December.*The lowest recorded temperature was in 1949.*The most precipitation on average occurs in February.-History:...
and 20 miles downhill north of Big Bear
Big Bear City, California
Big Bear City is an unincorporated, census-designated place in San Bernardino County, California immediately east of Big Bear Lake. The population was 12,304 at the 2010 census, up from 5,779 at the 2000 census...
in the southern reaches 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...
. It is surrounded by several mountain ranges which include the Granite mountain range, the Ord mountain range, and the San Bernardino mountain range. The heart of Lucerne Valley is located on the crossroads of State Route 247
California State Route 247
State Route 247 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California in San Bernardino County.This route is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System and is eligible for the State Scenic Highway System.-Route description:...
(Old Woman Springs Road / Barstow Road) and State Route 18. Yucca Valley lies 45 miles east via Route 247/Old Woman Springs Road.
In San Bernardino County, Lucerne Valley's area is also identified as County Service Area 29.
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 covers an area of 105.6 square miles (273.5 km²), all of it land.
History
Lucerne Valley was known to local Piute, ChemehueviChemehuevi
The Chemehuevi are a federally recognized Native American tribe enrolled in the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the Chemehuevi Reservation. They are the southernmost branch of Paiutes.-Reservation:...
, and Serrano
Serrano
-People:* Serrano , a Native American tribe of Southern California** The Serrano language spoken by the Serrano people*Serrano , people with the surname Serrano-Places:*Serrano Intermediate School, in Lake Forest, CA...
Tribes as "Chimney Rock", which is a California Historical Site of Interest; On February 1, 1867, Chimney Rock was the last major battle between California settlers and Native Americans. A monument marker is present on the western edge of Highway 18 at the western entrance to the town.
Lucerne Valley was settled and named in 1897 by James Goulding and his family, who found the desert valley to be an excellent place to raise alfalfa
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae cultivated as an important forage crop in the US, Canada, Argentina, France, Australia, the Middle East, South Africa, and many other countries. It is known as lucerne in the UK, France, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, and known as...
, also known as lucerne. The closest water source at the time was Cushenbury Springs (currently a cement plant in the southeast of the area) which used to feed out by alluvial drainage after winter from the San Bernardino Mountains. The waterflow for the entire valley is fed this way through underground Artesian wells.
Today, Lucerne Valley is an agricultural/mining-based community, with Mitsubishi Cement, Specialty Minerals (formerly Pfizer), and OMYA (formerly Pluess-Staufer) as its major contractors digging into the North Face of the San Bernardino Mountain Range. Lucerne Valley also has a state-sponsored water reclamation project, where treated wastewater from Big Bear
Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Lake is a city in San Bernardino County, California along the south shore of Big Bear Lake, located northeast of the city of San Bernardino. The population was 5,019 at the 2010 census, down from 5,438 at the 2000 census...
and Holcomb Valley
Holcomb Valley
Holcomb Valley, located in the San Bernardino Mountains about five miles north of Big Bear Lake, was the site of the most gold mined in Southern California. It was named after William F. Holcomb, who discovered gold there in 1860. That year started the largest gold rush in Southern California to...
is transported via pipeline and used to irrigate alfalfa farms on the eastern edge of the valley.
One of the roads east of the town limit, Meridian Road, is the geographical "Median" of San Bernardino County dividing the area of the county into west and east.
Recent development
While the town still has major obstacles preventing incorporation in the near future, the town is still viable for possible development. One earlier attempt called "Rancho Lucerne" began grading north of the High School location before embezzlement charges filed against the financier caused the project to shut down in 2001. Other projects are meeting with mixed reactions from residents and state/county officials, including Solar Power and Wind Turbine plants as well as Water DrillingWater conflict
Water conflict is a term describing a conflict between countries, states, or groups over an access to water resources. The United Nations recognizes that water disputes result from opposing interests of water users, public or private....
proposals for the Los Angeles' centric Department of Water and Power, who recently cancelled an attempt to install a 2 mile wide water and power corridor in the Southern half of the town to transport distant resources into Los Angeles.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Lucerne Valley had a population of 5,811. 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 55.0 people per square mile (21.2/km²). The racial makeup of Lucerne Valley was 4,507 (77.6%) White, 170 (2.9%) African American, 106 (1.8%) Native American, 90 (1.5%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 676 (11.6%) 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 262 (4.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,447 persons (24.9%).
The Census reported that 5,780 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 31 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 2,176 households, out of which 685 (31.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 954 (43.8%) 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, 280 (12.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 157 (7.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 146 (6.7%) 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 14 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 632 households (29.0%) were made up of individuals and 255 (11.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66. There were 1,391 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...
(63.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.28.
The population was spread out with 1,424 people (24.5%) under the age of 18, 452 people (7.8%) aged 18 to 24, 1,214 people (20.9%) aged 25 to 44, 1,780 people (30.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 941 people (16.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.7 years. For every 100 females there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.
There were 2,949 housing units at an average density of 27.9 per square mile (10.8/km²), of which 1,454 (66.8%) were owner-occupied, and 722 (33.2%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.0%. 3,800 people (65.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,980 people (34.1%) lived in rental housing units.
Public safety
San Bernardino County Sheriff's DepartmentSan Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department serves San Bernardino County, California, which is geographically the largest county in the lower 48 states. SBSD provides law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of the county and contract law enforcement services to 14 of the county's...
operates a Substation inside of town limits. The San Bernardino County Fire Department provides a full-time staffed fire station. Cal Fire also staffs a fire station. The California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
provides traffic enforcement and investigation.
Sites of interest
- Johnson Valley to the east of Lucerne Valley is a popular off-road vehicle recreation site known for its steep, rocky mountains and several dry lakes. Recent expansion plans for the Twentynine Palms Ground Combat center from the United States Marine Corps threatens to close the area permanently.
- Lucerne Valley's two dry lakes, Lucerne Dry Lake and Rabbit Springs Dry Lake are used for various activities.
- The Dry Lakes are used frequently in filming projects, notably Rabbit Springs Dry Lake which was the scene for the attack sequence in Stagecoach filmed in 1938. Selena GomezSelena GomezSelena Marie Gomez is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place...
recently shot her music video A Year Without RainA Year Without RainA Year Without Rain is the second studio album by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene. The album was released on September 17, 2010 via Hollywood Records. The band once again worked with writers and producers from their debut, Kiss & Tell such as Rock Mafia duo Tim James, and Antonina Armato, as...
in Rabbit Springs Dry Lake during Summer 2010. - Lucerne Dry Lake is also licensed for used by the County of San Bernardino as a testing ground for Firework displays planned by private companies due to the low amounts of vegetation within the lake bed that could spark from a misfire.
- The Dry Lakes are used frequently in filming projects, notably Rabbit Springs Dry Lake which was the scene for the attack sequence in Stagecoach filmed in 1938. Selena Gomez
- Chimney Rock, a registered landmarkLandmarkThis is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
of the State of California, is located on the mountains north of Highway 18 at the Rabbit Springs Road junction as the site of the last battle between settlers and Indians in the Mojave Desert. An official landmark is at Highway 18 next to the welcome sign at the western border of town.
- The Box-S Ranch chimney ruin is located opposite of the junction of Highland Road and Highway 18 next to a drainage wash. It is the last remaining structure of the Box-S Ranch complex built by James Goulding.
- Amateur mining claims in the surrounding hills are present throughout the geographic region of Lucerne Valley where mainly quartzQuartzQuartz is the second-most-abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. There are many different varieties of quartz,...
, topazTopazTopaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO42. Topaz crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and its crystals are mostly prismatic terminated by pyramidal and other faces.-Color and varieties:...
and jasperJasperJasper, a form of chalcedony, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for...
can be found.
Notable people
- Jordan RomeroJordan RomeroJordan David Romero is an American mountain climber who, on May 22, 2010, became the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. He was 13 years 10 months 10 days old when he reached the summit. Romero was accompanied by his father Paul Romero, his father's girlfriend Karen Lundgren, and three...
, former resident who is currently the youngest person to climb Mt. Everest. - Thora BirchThora BirchThora Birch is an American actress. She was a child actor in the 1990s, starring in movies such as All I Want for Christmas , Patriot Games , Hocus Pocus , Now and Then , and Alaska . She came to prominence in 1999 after earning worldwide attention and praise for her performance in American Beauty...
, actress. - Harry Abdul, father of Paula AbdulPaula AbdulPaula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
, who started a bottled water company called Crystal Hills in 1996 based in Lucerne Valley's foothills. (The company was sold to a private firm and closed in 2005.)
External links
- AAA Driving Directions/TripTik (Membership required)
- US Census population data (Enter the 92356 Zip Code)
- Chamber of Commerce
- Lucerne Valley Unified School District, Grades Pre, K-12.
- Lucerne Valley Leader, local newspaper operated by Freedom CommunicationsFreedom CommunicationsFreedom Communications, Inc. is a media conglomerate in the United States. It owns approximately 100 daily and weekly newspapers in the US, with a combined daily circulation of nearly one million subscribers, and also operates over seventy local news websites...
. Lucerne Valley Leader shares staff with Victorville's regional newspaper, the Daily PressDaily Press (California)The Daily Press is a daily newspaper published in Victorville, California. It is owned by Freedom Communications, who bought the paper in 1978. The 2010 circulation total is 23,000 daily, 30,000 Sundays.-External links:**...
. - LucerneValley.net (maintained by sisp.net)
- Points of Interest