Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce
W W W . N E W B E R R Y S P R I N G S C H A M B E R . O R G

      In the 1930's this was known as "The Cliff House" It sported a gas station - cafe - cabins for rent - general store - post office - public swimming pool - flag stop for both Greyhound and Continental Trailways bus lines - and the location of the only telephone in the community until the mid 1950's. The phone was an old wooden box with a crank on the side to ring the bell. It had a mouth piece in the front and the separate ear piece hung from the cradle. Newberry was one long and one short ring. The Cliff House was a welcome shady rest stop for travelers along RT. 66.

      Walk around the East side of the building and a short way up the drive. Look ahead and up to the right. On the side of the hill you will see one of the remaining stone water tanks used to service the facility prior to pressure tanks and submersible pumps.

      KELLY'S; Before continuing, go west a bit to Kelly's just around the bend on the right.

      Load up on munchies and beverages and be sure you have enough gas for the rest of the tour. Set your trip odometer to zero, when you get back to Deel Plumbing, then head East (right) on National Trails Hwy. ( Historic RT. 66.)

      Just after you get through the road cut in the mountain, pull far over to the right shoulder of the road and stop. (W) Get out of the car and walk across the road (North). The old cottonwood tree stump on the N.E. corner of the little hill marks the approximate location of the original springs. If you look out N., E, & S. from this spot the clumps of large green that you see are Screw Bean Mesquite and they mark the area that used to be a marsh. In the 1920's it was covered with water much of the year. In the 1930's and 40's it was wet in the winter and covered with mesquite, tulles, salt grass and wild grapes.

      The narrow area between the marsh and the Eastern slopes of the Newberry Mountains protected from the prevailing west winds, shady, good water, fire wood, lots of game, an ideal camping area.

      This area was used extensively by the Indians. (H) For evidence of this, take a short hike (provided you don't have leather soled shoes) up the Indian trail on the E.N.E. corner of the hill. When you reach the top, take a look over the south edge of the hill. That narrow winding road that you see leading to the S.S.E. along the base of the Newberry Mountains is what was once the old original Hwy. 66 . It was originally built here to avoid the marsh and the southern tip of Troy dry lake further east. Back at the top of the hill, continue over the crest towards the W.S.W., then bear to the right. There are Indian writings on the West facing rocks about 20 ft. below the top of the hill. As you retrace the path back down to the springs, watch on your right about half way down the trail. You will see an Indian grinding hole with many flint chips around. Just look and take pictures only. Notice the small, smoke darkened, rock, shelter areas to the West and South of the grinding hole. Back at the springs, take a walk to the East and notice all of the broken dishes, tin cans, car parts, etc. This is evidence of the travelers of yesteryear: trappers, traders, Indian slave runners, horse and cattle rustlers, refugees of the dust bowl, gypsy's, etc. You can still see the remnants of Cattail reeds, tulles and other evidence of the marsh that existed here before the water table dropped in the area due to earthquakes and overdraft by man.

      Walking back to your car, notice the light grey-green bushes that are predominant at the base of the hill to your right. This is Desert Holly. It has small red berries on it at Christmas time. It flourishes in high alkaline soil. The alkali and other borates that are in the little moisture that this plant uses, are deposited by the plant on its leaves that turn them from their true light green to white. This white color reflects much of the heat from the desert sun, allowing this plant to survive in this harsh environment.

      Continue driving east on National Trails Hwy.

      To your right is Echo Ranch which is behind Ward's Pistachio Orchard and was once the location of an artesian water source that fed ponds of water lilies.

      The canyons that you see to your right on the N.E. sides of the mauve colored Newberry Mountains are riddled with many caves used by early man 20,000+ years ago. Newberry Cave and Schuilling Cave are two such archaeological sites.

      It is interesting to note that these mountains are the home of Desert Big Horn Sheep, Chuckar Partridge and a species of mauve colored rattlesnake unique to this area.

      Right turn (South) onto Newberry Rd. Mile 1.4 [34-49.40N] [116-39.77W]

      This building, built in 1957 by the citizens of Newberry, is used for the many community meetings and events throughout the year. It also houses the office of our Community Service District (CSD) that is our local governing body for our Fire Dept., Parks & Recreation, and street lighting. Yes, Newberry Springs can boast that it has a total of 8 street lights.

      If you need a potty stop, the rest rooms in the park are open.

      Make a "U" turn and head back North on Newberry Rd.

      As you drive on National Trails Hwy. note that most of the businesses are on the North side of the highway. This was true when it was Rt. 66 also. The raised highway acted as a barrier to the flash floods originating in the grey/brown Rodman Mountains to the south.

      Jerry Scoggins moved to Newberry Springs in the early 80's and put in this state of the art Koi breeding facility.

      It is now under new ownership and is known as Koi Heaven. Stop in and check it out. Take the virtual tour by clicking on the Name link above.

      (Much to be added about this historical location. It has been a Bar, an Ace Hardware, and now Auto towing & tire business.)

      Turn right (South) at Ft. Cady Rd. Mile: 5.7 [34-48.80N] [116-36.59W]

      Make a U turn just past the Newberry Gun Club road on your left and stop your car.

      The Bodine clan; a three generation family that was a significant and important part of the community was one of the origional homsteaders in the valley. They raised alfalfa on their ranch as well as on several other lands in the valley totaling at one time 3,000 acres under alfalfa and sudan grass. This was for feed for their cattle ranch where they had a balck Angus that bred the entire herd of cows. This steer was replaced several times over the years.

      In addition to this activity they raised chickens, 50,000 to 100,000 at a time and sold to Knott's Berry Farm and other meat markets. At one time they did the same with turkey. In the final years of the ranch, the late 80's, they added buffalo.

      This ranch and the surrounding small ranches were once called Bodineville (D) by the locals. It was originally settled as a homestead by Mom and Pop Bodine. Every time they would marry off one of their daughters, they would provide the newlyweds with an adjoining parcel of land to build on. Thus Bodineville was developed.

      After WWII, until the late 1950's, Pop Bodine held monthly square dances for the community, on his patio in the summer, in the barn during the colder months.
(More to be added about the Bodine Ranch)
Continue North on Ft. Cady Rd.

      Note: If you need a potty stop, snacks, gas, diesel fuel or ice cream parlor, continue straight ahead on Ft. Cady. WESCO truck stop is just North of the I-40 freeway overpass.

      Turn left (West) on to National Trails Hwy. Mile:7.5 [34-48.80N] [116-36.59W]

      This stretch of National Trails Hwy. was once the business district of Newberry. Many of the buildings on the right that once served travelers on Rt. 66, have now been converted to homes.

      This run down gas station was once a Whiting Brothers service station. Believe it or not, it is getting about as much action these days as a photo opportunity for foreign tourists and film companies as it did in the early 1950's when it was going strong.

      Continue West on National Trails Hwy.

      This Cafe may look familiar to you. It was the site of the film "The Bagdad Cafe." Its "small cafe on a lonely highway" look makes it a popular location site for short films and T.V. commercials both foreign and domestic. Stop and go inside for a meal or refreshments. One wall of the back room is devoted to snap shots and posters of the many such films and commercials.
Visit the Bagdad Cafe Web Site

      Armstrong House & museum/ Chamber office and resource center/ NationWide Real Estate Services. Originally built by the Schmitt family around 1927. There were no electric utilities available to the property at the time. The old well and its windmill, holding tank and reservoir still remain. It was erected of concrete and sported the first indoor toilet facilities in the area. It was cooled in the summer by a wind-operated fan with a water reservoir in a window (similar to our evaporative cooler). The kitchen was across the back with a wood cook stove for winter and a kerosene operated stove for summer. There was a larder porch which was later enclosed with the same concrete construction to serve as a utility/mud room. Electricity was installed when it became available. The Schmitt's sold the property to a family named Armstrong in the 40's. Mrs. Ruth Armstrong was a rockhound of great renown. When Mr. Armstrong passed away she was determined to make it on her own grit. She enclosed the large covered front porch and made a commercial rock shop out of the front half of the house. The back half of the house was her family's living quarters. Rocks were used to face the front of the house and it became known as the "Rock House". Customers from all over would contact her to find particular rocks for them. Ruth became ill in the 80's and sold the property to John Melito who loved to garden. He planted fruit and shade trees and did decorative borders with the many rocks left on the property. There is a bearing date palm grove, pears, almonds, apricots and black walnuts. John sold the property in 1998 to the owner of NationWide Real Estate Services. She is currently restoring the house and plans a museum of the area and the house's history. Creative work by members of the community will be welcomed for display. Locally grown pistachios are available for sale. The real estate office and the main office of the Chamber are located here. You may have to step over construction projects for a while but local resources and information are obtainable here.

      Turn right (North) on to Newberry Road. Mile: 10.6 [34-49.38N] [116-39.77W]

      9.b. Notice the US Post Office on the right.

      Newberry Springs has had its own Post Office and Postmaster for over 60 years. Having our own zip code (92365) gives our community its own identity. There are now two mail routes that deliver mail to the 1100 plus homes in the 117 sq miles known as Newberry Springs.

© Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce 2002