Zzyzx

  

click photo to enlarge		 Zzyzx, California, pronounced Zie–zix,  is a settlement in San Bernardino County. We have gone past the road many times on the way to Las Vegas and always wondered what was at the end of the road. This day we had time to go look. The road it about 5 miles and is mostly paved. Zzyzx is the former site of the Zzyzx Mineral Hot Springs and Spa. The Spa was started by Curtis Howe Springer in 1944.

click photo to enlarge		 He was a self proclaimed Methodist Minister and Dr., at least in his mind. He built the Spa out out of nine mineral pools in the shapes of a cross. He broadcast a daily religious program from a radio station he built asking listeners to send money or donations to fund the Spa and his cures. He shipped his miracle cures made of vegetable juice throughout the United States. He got many elderly to spent their money to stay at the Spa in the motel rooms and spend time in the mineral springs.

click photo to enlarge		 He was arrested in 1974 for violations of FDA laws. The Spa was confiscated and reclaimed by the government. Today it is run by the BLM and the land is used by California State Universities as a Desert Studies Center. The Desert Studies Center has done such important work as studying the factors affecting sexual expression in desert holly.

click photo to enlarge
               click photo to enlarge