Is Death Valley Junction Haunted ?

Upper Mojave Desert 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd. • P. O. Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556 • 760-375-8456

Vol. 27 No. 6 June 2012 To see our schedule of events, visit us at www.hsumd.org or on Facebook at hsumd Is Death Valley Junction Haunted ? ur June meeting will feature the return of historian/video producer OTed Faye, who last year gave a presen- tation on the route of the Twenty Mule Team through China Lake’s Mojave B Ranges. This year his topic will be the ghosts of Death Valley Junction. You didn’t know there were ghosts there? Come and discover what Ted found. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the Historic USO Building, 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd. At the eastern entrance to Death Val- ley National Park lies a group of adobe buildings known as Death Valley Junc- Ted Faye uses a night-vision camera to search for ghosts. tion. This area has gained famed through Photos courtesy of Ted Faye the extraordinary efforts of Marta Becket, an artist, dancer, but if you ask any of them, including Marta Beckett herself, choreographer, and they’ll tell you other residents live here as well. writer whose per- formances at her The resident spirits of Death Valley Junction have become Amargosa Op- so well-known that ghost tours are held regularly. When era House have Ted heard about the hauntings, he couldn’t resist seeing for brought national himself, and bringing along ghost hunters from California and international Paranormal Private Investigators (CPPI). acclaim. We will see the results at the June meeting, when Ted will The junc- present the resulting video, which includes Marta Becket’s tion’s history also story in her own words. involves Twenty As a special event, after the meeting, a couple of investiga- Mule Team tors from CPPI will explore the old County Jail behind the Borax and Death Historic USO Building for any signs of haunting. Whatever Valley’s boom- they may find, the event should prove to be a unique experi- town days. ence! Today, the We normally meet on the third Tuesday of the month, living popula- but after our summer hiatus the next couple of months, we’ll tion is three, start our programs again in September. — Andrew Sound Vol. 27 No 6 June 2012 President’s Message — Board News, Parking-Lot Thanks ur Annual Meeting has Unfortunately, our secretarial slot remains unfilled, but come and gone, and that we do have some other new assignments. Bill Pitman has means that we’re almost agreed to be responsible for hospitality in addition to con- through a very successful tinuing as our membership chair. year,O thanks to the work of our In addition to continuing to manage our building board members and other volun- rentals, John Abbott has volunteered to serve as build- teers. ing manager, ably assisted by Nick Whisnant. Our other One more meeting — boardmembers will continue in the roles they have so ably which I hope you will attend filled over the last year. — and our regular program Roger and Kym McEntee deserve big thanks for all the year will be over. Your board work they did as building manager and secretary, respec- will continue to meet through- tively. We appreciate all you did for HSUMD, Roger and out the summer, with our Kym, and we hope you’ll still continue to be active in our Doug Lueck programs starting up again on Sept. 18. society in other ways. I also want to express my deepest thanks to Theresa After elections at the Annual Meeting, your board wel- Jacobs of Western Homes. We recently held a meeting to comed new member Nick Whisnant and decided on offices discuss HSUMD use of her parking lot, and she graciously for the coming year. gave her permission for us to use it after hours for our I will continue as president, and I am happy to report meetings. In return, I’d like to urge all members to be gra- that Andrew Sound will continue as treasurer, with Bill cious and considerate as you use the lot. Nevins continuing as vice president. — Doug Lueck

GOT IDs? Can you help identify any of these folks in front of The Joint in Randsburg? Edward Hinkley took the photo sometime between 1960 and 1969. The only identification we know for sure is Tony De Mayo, the gentleman holding the beer at left. Please let Liz know (contact info on back page) if you rec- ognize anybody.

Photo by Edward Hinkley, Maturango Museum collection

2 Vol. 27 No 6 June 2012 Seen at Our Annual Meeting Photos by Liz During the Report on business part of the Collections evening, The HSUMD Collections Andrew received several desirable items this Sound past month. gives a good-news Alan and Joan Wood- treasurer’s man brought in several Des- report, and ert Magazines at just the right Carol Por- time. Maturango, Searles Valley ter offers and HSUMD are working on thanks to completing our collections of helpers in this magazine and passing extras the acces- back and forth, so the timing was sions and collections area perfect. Along with the Desert — prominent among them Mags, the Woodmans also donated Claudia Sound, John Di several California Deserts and a few Pol, and Craig Porter. from the Nevada area. The most unusual item is a After a deli- “Sail China Lake” T-shirt. I hadn’t cious meal seen that one before, and it is a cooked and very nice design. served by The most welcome donation boardmem- from Joan and Alan is a 24- x 30- bers and their inch framed map and photo of the spouses, 20 Mule Team and route. Dee Di Pol and Matthew The Caffee family brought Zubia pitch in in several more items from their to serve the mother’s collection this past cake — which month. We are always pleased disappeared when the family adds to our col- in a hurry! lections. The State Historian for High- ways made contact with me in May seeking informations on Our speaker, Cecile Page Dunmovin. The NAWS archaeo- Vargo, and her husband Rog- logical team is also interested in er entertain us with illustrated the construction of our building. tales of old Cerro Gordo — and even a conundrum about It is a nice compliment when the original location of one of folks in an official capacity seek the town’s buildings. After an information from HSUMD. That active question-and-answer seems validation that our efforts session, Cecile autographed are worthwhile. Of course I may copies of her new book, Cerro be a bit naive — maybe they’re just Gordo. A Ghost Town Caught trying to get their research done Between Centuries, just pub- the easy way. lished by HSUMD and avail- — Carol Porter able in our Gift Shop. Vol. 27 No 6 June 2012 Previews of coming Events Have Fun June 22 — and Help Local Boys Make Good! Local band Unconditional Life will play in concert on Friday, June 22, to help raise funds for two of its members to share their talents in the larger world. The concert will be on Friday, June 22, at the Historic USO Building. For more particulars or to get tickets, please visit our Gift Shop. Two founding members of the group, Albert Bermudez and Brent Boberg, were invited to compete in a songwriting competition sponsored by the International Modeling and Talent As- sociation (IMTA) in New York. They’re raising money to pay for competition registration fees and related travel costs. The competition is open only to prospective contestants in whom IMTA talent agents see potential. Previous IMTA contestants include the likes of Katie Holmes, Elijah Wood, and Ashton Kutcher. The competition will allow Albert and Brent an opportunity to gain exposure with industry professionals. A win would Brent Boberg yield a recording contract. Part of the proceeds will also go to our Veterans Memorial Building project. — Matthew Zubia Albert Bermudez Gift Shop! Now that our year’s programs Enjoy Ray Book Binder Aug. 23 are over, with a whole new season Roy Book Binder, “The to start in September, maybe you’ll Book,” is someone you’re have a bit more time for things like going to want to see when he visiting our Gift Shop any Monday– appears in the Historic USO Saturday and picking up books for Building on Thursday, Aug. summer reading about our fascinat- 23. We’re lucky to have been ing local history! able to book a spot on the Thanks to astute shopping by busy schedule of this world- Alan Alpers and good suggestions renowned folk-blues perform- by other members, we have a won- er and storyteller. derful selection — and any shopping Tickets go on sale at our you do benefits HSUMD. gift shop July 23 for $20 per person or $35 per couple. Be sure to get yours — remem- m o v i e ber that the newsletter won’t NIGHT! come out in July or August, so Even as we take a summer break please do mark that calendar! And here’s a bit about The from our regular programs, Book. He traveled with the Rev. Gary Davis in the 1960s, rediscovered Pink An- Movie Night at the Historic USO derson and revived his career in the ’70s, and never looked back since. He’s done continues, with the next movie a huge amount in his career, including appearances on TNN’s “Nashville Now” with a Red Rock Canyon theme 30 times with many of Country Music’s bigest legends. He has toured nationally scheduled for June 20. Each with Bonnie Raitt, JJ Cale and Hot Tuna ... you name it, he’s done it! movie is free, with donations Over the years Roy has appeared many times at the National Storytelling gratefully accepted. Doors open Festival. the Chicago Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, at 7 p.m. with each movie star- the King Biscuit Blues Festival and the famed Philadelphia Folk Festival. ting at 7:20. Refreshments At Merlefest, Roy has hosted the acoustic blues stage for the past 16 years. He’s been to Hell and back — the Blues Festival in Hell, Norway, last August. available for purchase. Stop by He’s still out on the road entertaining audiences around the world, and this our Gift Shop for details about August will be our turn to experience this Singing-Songwriting-Storytelling- the summer schedule. Fingerpickin’ Blues Legend! — Alan Alpers 4 Vol. 27 No 6 June 2012 More coming Events Mexican Independence Get Your Life Line Day Luncheon set for Sept. 15 Screenings June 30 ooking ahead Please come to the Historic USO Building for to a delicious your preventive health screening on Saturday, June 30! L fall, we will Offered will be five safe, painless, noninvasive preven- enjoy a full-course tive health screenings that are typically not a part of a Mexican food lun- routine physical. cheon on Saturday, Screenings will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 15, to cel- with the ultrasound team taking appointments between ebrate Mexican the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Independence This event is also being sponsored by San Joaquin Day, which actu- Community Hospital, and the screenings are offered by ally falls on Life Line Screenings, a professional physician practice. Sunday, Sept. 16, Screenings will be offered for: this year. * Carotid artery blockage (stroke) You must * Atrial fibrillation purchase your * Abdominal aortic aneurysm pre-sale ticket for * Peripheral arterial disease this festive event * Osteoporosis (bone loss) no later than Sept. 5. Tickets The screenings are recommended for anyone 50 and will go on sale Aug. 6. older, or 40 and over with cardiovascular risk factors. The results, mailed directly to you, will help you and Two combination plates will be available: your doctor protect your health. The Stroke, Vascular Combo #1: Chile Verde, rice, refried beans, & and Heart Rhythm Packages range from $129 to $159. flour tortilla — $10 Our Gift Shop does have some $10-saving certificates. Call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/ Combo #2: Two beef tacos, rice, refried beans, & community-partners to schedule your appointment. flour tortilla — $8 And do drop by the Gift Shop Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.– 3 Drinks and desserts will be available for purchase. All food p.m. to pick up your discount coupons for this health will be prepared and cooked by the Zubia family. exam opportunity! — John Abbott — Matthew Zubia Our Business Members — please patronize them! Allen County Public Library, The Flower Shoppe Maturango Museum Genealogy Department Heritage Inn Netzer-Russell Consulting, LLC Anna Marie Bergens, Realtor High Sierra Auto & Truck Repair Nevins Tech. Consultants Best Western China Lake Inn Phyllis M. Hix, Attorney The News Review (Farris) BevLen Haus – Bed & Breakfast Hockett’s Building Supply Pleistocene Foundation Cal-Sun Pools IWV Insurance Red Rock Books Carriage Inn Jacobs Technology Inc. Naval Ridgecrest Moving & Storage Comfort Inn Systems Group S&M Coins & Collectibles Cordell Construction JRP Historical Consulting, LLC Sierra Odyssey Custom Tours DeathValley.com Dick Lewis Domestic Water Systems Sierra Wave Tank Sales Earth Landscaping The Library Press Southern Sierra Medical Clinic Econo-Lodge Jack & Dana Lyons, Realtors Gary P. Staab & Assoc., Inc. The Swap Sheet Explore Historic California 5 Vol. 27 No 6 June 2012 Crumville Memories Fade With Passing of Larry Fox

Larry Fox Larry Fox died this May 30 at the age of 92, after a lifetime of service to our valley. Among other accomplishments, he was a charter member of the Opti- mists Club of Ridgecrest-China Lake, a member of the 1946 board of the Posing in front of their house in Crumville in 1935 are (from left) Joe and Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce, Bessie Fox and their sons Bill and Larry. Larry and Bette Fox collection, HSUMD the originator of the rose garden at Desert Memorial Park, and a generous sharer of his history, leading tours and Manzanar Mission Brought giving slide shows to help people visu- alize what it was like when he arrived here in 1934 with his parents, Joe and Martha Shoaf to Our Area Bessie Fox. Although Martha Shoaf, who died significance to our local history as a Here’s a sample of the memories he June 3 at the age of nearly 93, was selfless, gifted teacher. shared: as a youngster he used to wash never a member of HSUMD, she Martha was a young UCLA gradu- bottles for the Crum Dairy (across the is memorialized here because of her ate when World War II began. She street from the historic Fox house), thought it was very wrong for Japa- earning only $15 a week for his labors. nese-Americans to be put in intern- The Historical Society is also in- ment camps — and she did something debted to Larry and his wife Bette for about it. She got her teacher’s cer- a significant addition to our archives tificate, then reported to Manzanar, — in 2004 they gave us a collection where she exercised her ingenuity to of literally thousands of photographs make up for the lack of teaching mate- depicting every aspect of life in this rials available in her classroom. community in the 1940s and ’50s. After nearly two years there (dur- The photos were the morgue for the ing which she made lifelong friends), Times-Herald newspaper, of which Joe Martha came to Trona, where she was Fox was a co-owner. a well-loved teacher for many years. Larry also appears in local history In recent years, she was a resident of as a Navy photographer for China High Desert Haven. Lake in the early days. Before that, Once a teacher, always a teacher he was a Seabee who built defensive as far as Martha was concerned. After facilities in the Aleutian Islands during her retirement, she contributed many World War II. Martha Shoaf volunteer hours as a docent for the Maturango Museum. — ed. 6 Vol. 27 No 6 June 2012 Happening at the

Historic USO . . . All photos by Andrew Sound

Here are a few scenes from last month’s “An Evening in Old Town.” HSUMD participated along with 25 downtown mer- chants. We hosted a crafters’ fair and refreshments at the Historic USO Building, as well as holding our Gift Shop open until 8 p.m. The event was well-attended! Clockwise from left, Lucinda Sue Crosby examines Anthony Hayes’ rustic houses (don’t you just love those plunger smoke stacks?), Cheryl McDonald shows an attendee her charming sketches of Randsburg, Marnie Dobbs of S&M Coins and Collectables (a generous donor to HSUMD) offers colorful, patriotic bou- quets and beautiful pendants, and Floyd Castillo shows his handcrafted pens to Mike Hayes. 7 DIRECTORS Doug Lueck, President Bill Pitman, Membership, Hospitality Here’s an easy 760-375-8202, [email protected] 760-499-3674, 760-375-3242 way to see this Bill Nevins, Vice President Carol Porter, Accessions & Exhibits newsletter in color! 760-375-4764, [email protected] 760-446-3400, [email protected] Just send an e-mail to Secretary Nick Whisnant, Asst. Building Mgr. our newsletter editor, Liz (currently unassigned) 760-446-7910 Babcock, lizbab@iwvisp. Andrew Sound, Treasurer & Publicist Matthew Zubia, Fundraising Co-Chair com, and ask her to put 760-371-1795, [email protected] 760-793-2107, [email protected] you on the list to get a    PDF copy e-mailed to you John Abbott, Building Mgr., Bldg. Rental COMMITTEE LEADERS each month. 760-375-5709, [email protected] Liz Babcock, Newsletter Editor We don’t intend to gmail.com 760-375-7900, [email protected] stop sending paper copies, Bill Casaroli, Audiovisuals Bill Casaroli, Webmaster since we know most of you 760-446-1567, [email protected] [email protected] prefer that, but we thought Chuck Cordell, Building John Di Pol, Historian you might also like to see [email protected] 760-375-2610, [email protected] the color version online. Tex Hoppus, Genealogical Committee 760-446-3370, [email protected] Jim Kenney, Field Trips & Programs 760-371-2458, [email protected] Important Reminders Mike Leming, Fundraising  Annual dues are $20 per family for the calendar year. 760-371-7270, inspirationalcountry@  Business Member dues are $30 for the calendar year. hotmail.com  Please remember the Historical Society in your wills, trusts and other gift giving. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert NONPROFIT ORG. P. O. Box 2001 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Ridgecrest, CA 93556 PERMIT NO. 9 RIDGECREST, CA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

MEETING OF JUNE 2012 Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 7:30 p.m., Historic USO Building