Digital-Desert : Mojave Desert >>> Route 66 <<<
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Desert Gazette
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by Walter Feller
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Mojave National Preserve < East Mojave Desert

Zzyzx

Mineral Bath & Resort

Near the mouth of the Mojave River, where the intermittant waters seep into Soda Lake, a mineral spring wells up near a basalt outcropping. Father Francisco Garces passed through this place, Soda Springs in his journey through the Mojave desert. Over 50 years later, Jedediah Smith passed south of the springs up into Afton Canyon (he instructed his Mohave indian guide to take him the most direct route) on his excursion. In the 1860s, the US Army used this spot as the location of Fort Soda Springs.

In the mid-1940s, at this western end of the vast Soda dry lake, the charismatic quack, Curtis 'Doc' Springer built a health resort.

He named the resort Zzyzx. It was designed to be the final word in the English language -- Also, the cure to end all cures. He promoted it wildly on his quasi-religious Los Angeles based radio show. He sold his celery and carrot juice tonics, herb tea concoctions and bread all over the world. He claimed his mineral springs spa and special diet could cure everything from hair loss to cancer.

He wouldn't charge to stay at the resort, but he urged all to send donations. He attracted much attention and built up a thriving business that lasted over 30 years. The American Medical Association gave Springer the dubious title of "King of Quacks". The government discovered he built the spa on land he didn't own. In 1974 he was evicted, arrested for food and drug law violations and spent several months in jail. He retired to Las Vegas and died in 1986.

A Brief History of Zzyzx & Soda Springs



Natural

Soda Lake

    Soda Lake lies at the terminus of the Mojave River. In wet years, the playa may contain standing ...
Military

Fort Soda Springs

    This desert camp, variously named for the dry soda lake in its vicinity, was first established south of Baker, San Bernardino County, in the spring of 1860 by ...
Other
Photography by Walter Feller

Mojave River Valley Museum


zzyzx mineral spa, soda springs







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features - ecology: wildlife - plants - places - region map - map/sat - roads & trails - wilderness - video - aerial - 360 photos - old west - communities - books - lodging
route 66 - ghost towns - gold mines - parks & ... - joshua tree - death valley - mojave preserve - native culture - history - natural features - geology - glossary - comments
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