Digital-Desert : Mojave Desert
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History of Soda Springs & Zzyzx

1870 - 1905 -- Soda Station


Soda Station 1874

Soda Springs existed as a rest stop and refuge for eastbound and westbound travelers on the Mojave Road for about 30 years. Its name was changed temporarily to "Shenandoah Camp" in 1885 but was soon named "Soda Station" bit its operator, George Hertzel. He built the outpost into a trading post, commonly called a "way station." Similar to rest stops along modern freeways, Hertzel's way station offered welcome relief to travelers crossing the desert.

To make the springs more usable, Hertzel lined a pool with rocks. Water at Soda Springs reaches the surface at a constant 76F, providing a refreshing dip in summer and welcome warmth during the winter.

Looking across Soda Lake to Devil's Playground and Kelso Dunes

In 1900, Frank and Sarah Riggs lived at Soda Station, which they had renamed "Hertzel's Mill Site." The Riggs ran a mill in which steel balls pulverized ores for processing. Unfortunately, the ores from this mountain contain very few valuable minerals, and the claim was abandoned.

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1776 - 1830 -- Early Explorers
1830 - 1860 -- Pioneers & Settlers
1860 - 1870 -- Army Outpost
1870 - 1905 -- Soda Station
1905 - 1916 -- The Soda Works
1916 - 1944 -- Abandonment
1944 - 1974 -- Zzyzx Mineral Springs
1974 - Present -- The DSC
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Digital-Desert : Mojave Desert
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Disclaimer: Some portions of this project were developed with assistance from AI tools to help reconstruct historical contexts and fill informational gaps. All materials have been reviewed and fact-checked to ensure accuracy and reliability, though complete precision cannot be guaranteed. The aim is to provide dependable starting points and distinctive perspectives for further study, exploration, and research.

These materials are historical in nature and intended for educational use only; they are not designed as travel guides or planning resources.
Copyright - Walter Feller. 1995-2025. All rights reserved.
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