About halfway between the Utah-California border and
Barstow, you’ll pass a curious sign that says, “Zzyzyx Road.” For years we’ve
passed this sign on the way to and from Disneyland, and we’ve wondered about
it. At the other end of this oddly named road there is a natural spring that
has attracted thirsty travelers for many years. There’s a prehistoric quarry
nearby where petroglyphs and projectile points (we used to call them arrowheads)
may be seen. During the mid-1800’s it was a wagon stop called Soda Springs. A
railroad used to run through the area, but no trains go there now. In the days
of Route 66, an enterprising fellow renamed it Zzyzyx, which he claimed was the
last word in the English language. He sold bottled spring water and even
maintained a sort of zoo. Today the spring is home to California State
University’s Desert Studies Center.
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