Newberry Springs, California
Encyclopedia
Newberry Springs is an unincorporated area
in the western Mojave Desert
of Southern California
, located at the foot of the Newberry Mountains
in San Bernardino County
, California
, USA. The population at the 2000 census was 2,895.
, approximately 40 mi (64.4 km) due west of the Mojave National Preserve
, and approximately 100 mi (160.9 km) south of Death Valley National Park
. The town is (117 sq mi (303 km²) in area. It is approximately 3000 ft (914.4 m) above sealevel.
The region maintains an average daytime summer temperature of 107 °F (41.7 °C). In the winter, lows generally get into the 20's, with a dry, cold climate, the immediate area receiving less than 10 in (25.4 cm) of rain per year.
Newberry Springs is a typical desert oasis
. Ancient volcanic rock formations, lava beds, sand dunes, mineral springs, and hidden mud bath
s are found in the area.
The area is irrigated by the Mojave Aquifer, the largest aquifer in the Western United States
,, which makes possible a diverse and abundant agriculture and a number of man-made lakes.
and 40
and California State Route 58
run through the area. The Union Pacific Railroad
runs through the town on trackage rights
on BNSF Railway's main line to Salt Lake City. Historic Route 66
runs approximately 8 mi (12.9 km) south of the town.
for the surrounding arid region. Camp Cady, located just a few miles from present-day Newberry Springs, was a resting place and watering hole along the Mojave River
for wagon train
s coming to California in the 1850s on the old Mormon Trail
. In the 1880s the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
hauled tank car
s of water from Newberry Springs to the stations and towns in the region, making life in this arid land possible.
The area has often been used as a venue for location filming.
s, apricots and alfalfa
. Newberry Springs has many farms and ranch
es, which produce ostrich, horse, buffalo
, duck, turkey, catfish, and koi
.
, are in Newberry Springs
There are also desert courses used for motocross
, dune buggy
, and ATV
racing. The area also supports camping, hunting, fishing, wilderness backpacking, and paraflying. Paraflyte Ranch, a paraflying school, is in the area.
, the Camp Cady wildlife reserve, the Solar One green energy project, and the Silver Valley Sun Naturist Club.
Every November, the town is the host of the annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival.
North of Newberry Springs is the currently vacant site of the former Lake Dolores/Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark.
The motion picture Bagdad Café
was filmed in the area and the truck stop featured in the film still exists as a working motel and restaurant.
Newberry Springs is home to the Holy Resurrection Monastery of the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Rite of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Newberry Mountains are home to the nearby Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in the western 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 Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, located at the foot of the Newberry Mountains
Newberry Mountains (California)
The Newberry Mountains of California are located southeast of Barstow in the Mojave Desert, in San Bernardino County, California. The Rodman Mountains lie to the southeast of the range, while the Ord Mountains lie to the southwest.Historic U.S...
in 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...
, USA. The population at the 2000 census was 2,895.
Location, geography, and climate
Newberry Springs is located 20 mi (32.2 km) east of BarstowBarstow, 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....
, approximately 40 mi (64.4 km) due west of the Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve
Mojave National Preserve is located in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California, USA, between Interstate 15 and Interstate 40. The preserve was established October 31, 1994 with the passage of the California Desert Protection Act by the US Congress...
, and approximately 100 mi (160.9 km) south of Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a national park in the U.S. states of California and Nevada located east of the Sierra Nevada in the arid Great Basin of the United States. The park protects the northwest corner of the Mojave Desert and contains a diverse desert environment of salt-flats, sand dunes,...
. The town is (117 sq mi (303 km²) in area. It is approximately 3000 ft (914.4 m) above sealevel.
The region maintains an average daytime summer temperature of 107 °F (41.7 °C). In the winter, lows generally get into the 20's, with a dry, cold climate, the immediate area receiving less than 10 in (25.4 cm) of rain per year.
Newberry Springs is a typical desert oasis
Oasis
In geography, an oasis or cienega is an isolated area of vegetation in a desert, typically surrounding a spring or similar water source...
. Ancient volcanic rock formations, lava beds, sand dunes, mineral springs, and hidden mud bath
Mud bath
A mud bath is a bath of mud, commonly from areas where hot spring water can combine with volcanic ash. Mud baths have existed for thousands of years, and can be found now in high-end spas in many countries of the world....
s are found in the area.
The area is irrigated by the Mojave Aquifer, the largest aquifer in the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
,, which makes possible a diverse and abundant agriculture and a number of man-made lakes.
Transportation
Interstates 15Interstate 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...
and 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
and California 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...
run through the area. The Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
runs through the town on trackage rights
Trackage rights
Trackage rights , running rights or running powers is an agreement whereby a railway company has the right to run its trains on tracks owned by another railway company....
on BNSF Railway's main line to Salt Lake City. Historic Route 66
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year...
runs approximately 8 mi (12.9 km) south of the town.
History
The original name of Newberry Springs was "Water". Since its earliest days the area in and around Newberry Springs has been a source of waterWater
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
for the surrounding arid region. Camp Cady, located just a few miles from present-day Newberry Springs, was a resting place and watering hole along the Mojave River
Mojave River
The Mojave River is an intermittent river in the eastern San Bernardino Mountains and Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. The river is notable as most of its flow is underground, while its surface channels remain dry most of the time, with the exception of the headwaters and several...
for wagon train
Wagon train
A wagon train is a group of wagons traveling together. In the American West, individuals traveling across the plains in covered wagons banded together for mutual assistance, as is reflected in numerous films and television programs about the region, such as Audie Murphy's Tumbleweed and Ward Bond...
s coming to California in the 1850s on the old Mormon Trail
Mormon Trail
The Mormon Trail or Mormon Pioneer Trail is the 1,300 mile route that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled from 1846 to 1868...
. In the 1880s the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad was a U.S. railroad that owned or operated two disjoint segments, one connecting St. Louis, Missouri with Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the other connecting Albuquerque, New Mexico with Southern California. It was incorporated by the U.S. Congress in 1866 as a...
hauled tank car
Tank car
A tank car is a type of railroad rolling stock designed to transport liquid and gaseous commodities.-Timeline:...
s of water from Newberry Springs to the stations and towns in the region, making life in this arid land possible.
The area has often been used as a venue for location filming.
Agriculture
The climate in Newberry Springs is relatively mild and ideal for many crops, including pistachioPistachio
The pistachio, Pistacia vera in the Anacardiaceae family, is a small tree originally from Persia , which now can also be found in regions of Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Sicily and possibly Afghanistan , as well as in the United States,...
s, apricots and 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...
. Newberry Springs has many farms and ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
es, which produce ostrich, horse, buffalo
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
, duck, turkey, catfish, and koi
Koi
or more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
.
Recreation
Water skiing is important to the area. Newberry Springs contains some man-made oval lakes and other water race courses used for water–ski and jetski racing, including the privately owned Cheyenne Lake. The Horton Lakes Water Ski School and Wet Set Village, which has hosted water ski tournaments seen on ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, are in Newberry Springs
There are also desert courses used for motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
, dune buggy
Dune buggy
A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle with large wheels, and wide tires, designed for use on sand dunes or beaches. The design is usually a modified vehicle and engine mounted on an open chassis. The modifications usually attempt to increase the power-to-weight ratio by either lightening the...
, and ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
racing. The area also supports camping, hunting, fishing, wilderness backpacking, and paraflying. Paraflyte Ranch, a paraflying school, is in the area.
Attractions
Nearby to Newberry Springs is the Calico Ghost Town, the Calico Early Man SiteCalico Early Man Site
The Calico Early Man Site is a series of stone tool workshop and quarry sites located near Barstow in San Bernardino County in the central Mojave Desert of southern California...
, the Camp Cady wildlife reserve, the Solar One green energy project, and the Silver Valley Sun Naturist Club.
Every November, the town is the host of the annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival.
North of Newberry Springs is the currently vacant site of the former Lake Dolores/Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark.
The motion picture Bagdad Café
Bagdad Café
Bagdad Café is a 1987 German film directed by Percy Adlon.The film is a comedy set in a remote truck-stop café and motel in the Mojave Desert. The plot is centered around two women who have recently separated from their husbands, and the blossoming friendship which ensues. It ran 95 minutes in...
was filmed in the area and the truck stop featured in the film still exists as a working motel and restaurant.
Newberry Springs is home to the Holy Resurrection Monastery of the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Rite of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Newberry Mountains are home to the nearby Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area.
Further reading
- The Mojave Desert (Images of America: California) by John Swisher (Paperback - Sep 27, 1999)
- Mojave Desert (American Deserts Handbook) by Rose Houk (Paperback - May 2001)
- Mojave Desert Trails by Florine Lawlor (Paperback - Jul 2004)
- California Desert Byways: 68 of California's Best Backcountry Drives by Tony Huegel (Spiral-bound - Jan 15, 2007)
- Calico Ghost Town; S. California's Greatest Silver Camp by n/a (Paperback - Jan 1, 1966)
- Bill Cook's Ghostly Guide to Calico Ghost Town by Bill Cook (Paperback - Feb 1, 2009)
- When the Rivers Run Dry: Water—The Defining Crisis of the Twenty-first Century by Fred Pearce (Paperback - Mar 7, 2007)
- The Water Slide (Rigby PM Benchmark Collection Level 14) by Annette Smith and Trish Hill (Paperback - Jan 2000)
- Jet Ski (Built for Speed) by Luke Thompson (Paperback - Mar 2000)