High Desert Memories - A Hometown Journal Commemorating Ridgecrest California |
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My first trip to Little Lake was in 1943. I don't remember much about it except
that I was very surprised to find such a Hotel and other buildings out in
the middle of nowhere. There was a gas station, hotel and other buildings
associated with the hotel. Althogh I never experienced it myself,
I have been told that there were desert diamonds to be found in the hills and cliffs
around the Little Lake location as well as arrow heads left by the indians.
It wasn't long after that initial experience that I actually found
out why Little Lake was founded and the service it performed for the people
long before that time. For a History of Little Lake go HERE |
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A landmark that tells you that you are approaching Little Lake is the Cindercone
mountain that is nearby. It could be seen for several miles before you reached
Little Lake and was to me a welcome sight as it meant right around the corner
was home. |
Little Lake in the very early 40's or late 30's. Note that the rock face is
not on the hotel yet. |
Little Lake in the late 40's is quite a thriving little road way stop for many of
the folks heading back and forth to the Sierra playgrounds. |
Here we see a picture of the hotel in the 50's and it is clearly a waypoint for tourists. |
Then the Hwy 395 bypass is built and Little Lake inmediately starts to see a drop
in business. |
A view of the actual Little Lake which is where the place got its name. It
is shown here on the right side of the Hwy headed north on 395. |
The Southern Pacific Railroad has now ceased to bear traffic and the rails are soon
to be taken up. Little Lakes fate is written on the books already.
It is now abandoned and for sale signs put up on the hotel and other buildings.
To no avail though as I am given to understand the buildings have
been destroyed and removed now. |
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