High Desert Memories - A Hometown Journal Commemorating Ridgecrest California |
 |
China Lake |
Page 1 |
|
|
NOTS MAP - NOTS' 1,000 square miles area is located in Indian Wells Valley.
The Valley is hemmed in by the Sierra Nevadas on the west, rising from
6,000 to 14,000 ft.; the Slate and Panamint Ranges to the east, which are above
11,000 ft.; and the El Paso Range to the south, above 5,000 ft. NOTS enjoys
300 days of flying weather per year. |
The first Naval Officers looking over the future site of NOTS China Lake |
Barren ground in 1943 soon to be The Naval Station at China Lake |
Newpaper views donated by Ben Yeakey he still has copies of these |
In the views above the desolation of this site can be easily seen. There was
to be a whole city and industrial complex to spring up out in the middle of nowhere.
This was a very large undertaking but it was needed. It has
proven to be a very well planned and executed undertaking. |
It all began at the Inyokern Airport. As seen above in the aerial photo.
Things were a little rough and without much in the way of amenities at first.
as seen below. Soon though progress was made and a new Naval Station
was born |
Headquarters 1944 |
Temporary Offices and Quarters for Workers |
Admin Building Under Construction |
Gym, Swimming pool, and Theater 1945 |
Pouring the foundation for Michelson lab |
|
Burroughs High School 1944 |
Construction of Michelson Lab |
|
Chapel 1947 |
Powder plant 1945 |
Housing Construction |
Kodiak Hangar under construction 1944 |
Admin Building is up1945 |
Snob Hill housing, shopping area, High school |
Photo by John Culp |
Photo by John Culp |
Housing Construction 1948 |
|
|
The following photos show the contrast in the development of the China Lake/Ridgecrest
between 1948 and 1964. It is quite a striking comparison. |
|
The first phase of housing development at China Lake is complete in April l948.
Located in the distant South portion of NOTS are the Prefabs, Hawthorns and
Duplexes. The Prefabs were gone by Summer l963. The New Duplexes weren't
completed for another four years. Left to Right Center is the Officers
Club, Bank, Library, Commissary, Navy X, Theater, Enlisted Men's club and Station
Pool. Burroughs High was located one block South. Good shade trees were a few
years away. |
Development was fairly complete at NOTS by l964 with the new Burroughs High School
adjacent to Wherry Housing (top L), the New Duplexes and the All Faith Chapel
(lower center). Ridgecrest and China Lake Blvds and the Midway can be located
the distance. A noticeable increase in cars and parking lots can be
found. |
Photo submitted by Doug Huse |
Photo submitted by Doug Huse |
This official Navy photograph is dated June l944. These Quonset Huts were literally
at the end of the road and are the first buildings at China Lake. A good
aerial shot of where these huts are located, Pg. 5 40's & 50's . |
Select a page number above to move from page to page |
Select a page number above to move from page to page |
. 1 & 2 - In the beginning 3 - Naval Air Facility 4 - The Ranges 5 - Doc the B-29 6 - NAWC Museum |
. 1 & 2 - In the beginning 3 - Naval Air Facility 4 - The Ranges 5 - Doc the B-29 6 - NAWC Museum |
7 - The Sidewinder 8 - About China Lake 9 - 60 Year FED service 10 - China Lake named National Historic site |
7 - The Sidewinder 8 - About China Lake 9 - 60 Year FED service 10 - China Lake named National Historic site |